By Gage Wilson
For Glasgow News 1
The Caverna Independent Schools Board of Education began its Tuesday meeting on a somber note, observing a moment of silence in memory of Billy Hampton, the district’s director of maintenance, who recently died.
Hampton had previously been recognized by the district for his dedication to maintaining its facilities.
Following the remembrance, board members turned their attention to district business, including a presentation outlining new procedures for identifying and assisting students showing signs of dyslexia.
Caverna’s Director of Student Achievement Whitney Paul presented the district’s dyslexia plan, which details how students in kindergarten through third grade would be evaluated and provided additional instructional support.
The plan follows the passage of House Bill 253 earlier this year, which requires Kentucky school districts to establish policies for identifying students displaying characteristics of dyslexia and providing appropriate interventions.
Under Caverna’s plan, students would undergo universal reading screenings, with those in kindergarten through third grade scoring at or below the 15th percentile receiving additional diagnostic assessments.
Students whose assessments indicate characteristics associated with dyslexia would receive targeted reading instruction through the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports, a framework designed to provide increasingly intensive assistance based on individual student needs.
The district would monitor those students’ progress over a four- to six-week period before conducting further evaluations to determine whether additional assistance is necessary.
Instructional strategies outlined in the plan include small-group lessons, multisensory teaching methods and individualized instruction focusing on skills such as phonics, word recognition, reading fluency and comprehension.
The plan also emphasizes parental involvement, requiring written notification when students display characteristics of dyslexia. Parents would receive information about assessment results, planned interventions and available classroom accommodations, which could include extended time for assignments, audiobooks and assistive technology.
For students who continue to experience significant reading difficulties despite intervention, the district could consider a referral for a special education evaluation.
Beginning June 30, 2028, Caverna would also be required to submit annual reports to the Kentucky Department of Education detailing the number of students identified as displaying characteristics of dyslexia, the number receiving interventions and the methods used to monitor their progress.
In other business, the board approved participation in the Kentucky Education Fund, an initiative connected to a new federal program allowing taxpayers to receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits for qualifying educational contributions.
Abell explained that the program was originally intended to benefit private and charter schools, but public schools were included during the legislative process. Beginning in 2027, eligible taxpayers can receive federal income tax credits of up to $1,700 annually for contributions to approved scholarship-granting organizations.
The board also welcomed Glasgow City Councilman Terry Bunnell, who presented a $500 donation from the Weldon Tennis Association to support Caverna’s tennis program.
“Back on Aug. 7, 8 and 9 the Weldon Tennis Association held our 98th tennis tournament and we held it here at the courts of Caverna High School,” Bunnell said. “It was the right venue, it was the perfect venue for it.”
The 98th W.A. Weldon Tennis Tournament was held at the Terry Bunnell Tennis Courts, named in recognition of Bunnell’s efforts to support improvements to the district’s tennis facilities.
Key Facts:
• Caverna Board of Education held its regular meeting Tuesday at the district’s central office.
• Members heard a detailed plan for identifying and supporting K-3 students with characteristics of dyslexia.
• The plan follows Kentucky’s House Bill 253, which requires dyslexia screening and interventions.
• Students at or below the 15th percentile on reading screeners would receive further diagnostic assessments.
• Targeted reading instruction would be delivered through the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports.
• Parents would receive written notification, assessment results and information on interventions and accommodations.
• Beginning June 30, 2028, Caverna must submit annual dyslexia reports to the Kentucky Department of Education.
• The board voted to participate in the Kentucky Education Fund, tied to new federal tax credits for educational contributions.
• Starting in 2027, eligible taxpayers can receive up to 1,700 dollars in annual federal income tax credits for qualifying gifts.
• The Weldon Tennis Association donated 500 dollars to support Caverna’s tennis program after hosting its 98th tournament at district courts.
