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BCS honors veteran, presents him diploma

Glasgow Daily Times - 6/10/2017

June 10--GLASGOW -- A local veteran was honored and presented with a diploma during the Barren County Schools Board of Education's regular meeting on Thursday evening at the BCS central office.

Billy Ewing Houchens received a standing ovation as he was presented with a diploma from BCS Superintendent Bo Matthews.

BCS Associate Superintendent Mark Wallace said Houchens was attending Hiseville High School when he enlisted in the army in 1959, and that he served in the infantry division in Germany for three years during the time the Berlin Wall was being built.

"We just want to thank you for your service," Wallace said. "We are honored and privileged to provide you with this diploma.

"You are very deserving and we thank you for everything you've done."

Houchens said getting his diploma has been "a long time coming."

"I didn't think I was ever going to get this," he said, with a smile. "The opportunity came up and the VA said I could do this.

"And I did."

Houchens said he stresses to young people that getting their high school diploma is "so important" and that it's a "stepping stone" to future success.

BCS also recognized two staff members who are retiring at the end of the month.

Vicki Weaver, controller for BCS, was named the BCS Classified Employee of the Month for June, and Wallace was named the BCS Certified Employee of the Month for June.

Matthews said that Wallace is retiring after a "brilliant and spotless career as an outstanding teacher, a coach, administrator and associate superintendent."

"He is a man who has earned whatever good will come to him in his retirement years," Matthews said. "He is a man for the rest of us to emulate and to respect and to honor.

"Thanks for all you've done."

Mark Wallace

"You all make decisions for the right reasons. It's about students in this district. I'm proud to have been associated with it."

-Mark Wallace, associate superintendent for Barren County Schools

Later in the meeting, Wallace said it has been an honor serving Barren County Schools.

"I've served 17 years here in Barren County," Wallace said. "Those have been wonderful years."

He said retiring is "bittersweet" because he is going to miss working with everyone.

"You all make decisions for the right reasons," Wallace said. "It's about students in this district. I'm proud to have been associated with it.

"Thank you all for everything."

Tommy Gumm, of Alliance Corporation, and Craig Thomas, of RBS Design, said progress on the CTE and Athletic Field Replacement Project is going well.

Thomas said the project has moved forward in a "high-quality fashion."

"I don't see anything but positives on the job site when I'm there," he said.

The board approved pay application No. 6 for the CTE and Athletic Field Replacement Project, and, according to a summary of payments, the payment for this application is $602,171. The board also approved a change order to this project for an additional $250 to be used for another exit sign in equipment storage.

Matthews said the district is ready to begin the process of expanding and modernizing the Barren County Area Technology Center. Earlier this year, BCS received a $6.8 million grant from the Work Ready Skills Advisory Committee to help with the project.

"That money will be transferred to us in July, so we can get started," Matthews said, adding that the district will need to advertise for an architect and a construction manager, which the board approved later in the meeting.

The board also approved adding a Diesel Program and BCATC Outdoor Storage to the District Facility Plan.

The board approved an agreement with Lindsey Wilson College for the district to receive student teachers.

The board also approved to reject bids for waste management and recycling so the district can update specifications.

CheyAnne Fant, director of 21st Century Learning and Nutritional Services for BCS, said the district has doubled enrollment for elementary school summer camps from last year.

"I think that's largely due to having them at all of our elementary schools through the month of June," she said.

Fant said the Summer Feeding Program is going well, "far exceeding what we did last year."

"We're excited about that and being able to have more access for all of our students in Barren County."

___

(c)2017 the Glasgow Daily Times (Glasgow, Ky.)

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