The Harlan County School board appointed its chairman and vice-chair Thursday for the 2007-2008 school year.

During Thursday's regular meeting of the school board, Gary Farmer, of Wallins, was unanimously reappointed to a sixth term as chairman of the board. His nomination was made by board member Arlene Brown.

In another unanimous vote, Brenda Henson, of Harlan, was appointed vice chair. Her nomination was made by reigning vice chair Pam Sherman-Sheffield.

Also during Thursday's meeting, Mike Howard, Assistant Superintendent of Finances, discussed the possibility of a 7 percent cut in funds for education statewide. Howard said the county school board would have to wait and see if cuts were made by state legislators.

"If they don't make any cuts we should be in pretty good shape," Howard said. "Usually at this time of the year we are talking about what we are going to cut. We aren't going to have to cut anything unless changes are made.

"A 7 percent cut would be catastrophic, especially in the small district's like us," Superintendent Timothy Saylor added.

A 7 percent cut in funding would mean the county school district could lose approximately 1.4 million.

Howard added that a cut in funding would affect the services that are available to students.

"Everyone across the state hopes the cuts don't occur. It wouldn't only be us, every district in the state would suffer," he said.

The county school board also approved a resolution requesting coal severance funding for technology and science enhancements.

The coal severance funding will be used to purchase "Smart Boards" that will be placed in elementary classrooms throughout the district. The total cost for purchase and installation of the equipment is estimated at $455,061.37.

The approved resolution also requests funding that will be used to install science labs. However, district officials stressed that it is unlikely to receive funding for both projects, and the "Smartboards" were labeled as the first priority.

The county school board also approved the 2008 meeting schedule. Board members agreed to meet on the third Thursday of each month, with exceptions of July 24 and Feb. 19. Meetings will start at 6:30 in the central office.

The board also approved the consent agenda, which included:

-- Payment of claims in the aggregate amount of $1,475.084.06

-- Approve BG-4 for waterline extension to Harlan County High School and pay Ash Mountain Inc $2,725.00 for work completed;

-- Approve payment of $18,045.90 to Simplex Grinell for work completed on Harlan County High School

-- Approve payment of $816,215.80 to D.W. Wilburn and $297,046.49 to various vendors for work on Harlan County High School;

-- Approve payment of $12,364.24 to Clotfelter-Samokar for work on Harlan County High School;

-- Advertise for bids for refurbishing and adding a sprinkler system to the JACHS football field;

-- Approve revised salary tables for classified employees to reflect UMWA contract provisions;

-- Approve 2007-2008 district nutrition and physical activity report card;

-- Accept offer of assistance of $18,978 from the SFCC and escrow $113,066 from building fund and $1,900 from the capital outlay fund in order to receive the offer;

-- Accept technology offers of assistance from the SFCC in the amounts of $51,422 and $38,966 for a total of $90,388;

-- Approve leaves of absence for Cheryl Skidmore and Deronda Garland;

-- A shortened day for a special needs student at Rosspoint Elementary School.

-- A field trip for the Wallins girls basketball teams to Knoxville, Tenn., on Feb. 3.