ARMED POLICE, NOT ARMED TEACHERS

New poll finds parents' confidence in school safety is shaky

A new national survey on public education issues has found that just 27 percent of K-12 parents have strong confidence in their local school’s ability to thwart a school shooting. Forty-one percent are somewhat confident; and 31 percent are either not so confident or not confident at all.

 

The survey was conducted by Phi Delta Kappa International, an association of professional educators, as part of its annual public education issues survey. The results on school safety aspects of the survey were released ahead of the main polling data, the group said, “as a contribution to the public discourse on this critical issue.”

 

The polling found that one in three parents – 34 percent – fear for their child’s safety at school, compared with just 12 percent in 2013. The percentage hasn’t been that high since 1998, when there were a couple of high-profile school shootings. In the demographic breakdown, the percentage of parents fearful of their child’s school safety is twice as high among those earning less than $50,000 a year. The percentage also tops 40 percent among nonwhites, urban parents and those without college degrees.

 

The random sample of polled parents found that they overwhelmingly support mental health screening of all students, armed police in schools and metal detectors at entrances. But there is less support for allowing teachers and school staff to carry guns: 67 percent would rather not have their child in such a classroom, and 63 percent generally are opposed to letting teachers and staff carry guns. That said, the percentage shifts to 50-50 if teachers/staff were rigorously trained.

Campaign frequently asked questions

With school board election season underway, KSBA has compiled “Frequently Asked Questions” pertaining to school board campaigns. We encourage new and incumbent school board candidates, current school board members and district employees to use this document as guidance between now and election day on Nov. 6. View the FAQ’s on the KSBA website .

KSBA addresses U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education at national meeting

On Aug. 17, KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling delivered a statement to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education and the Federal Commission on School Safety during a general session of the National School Boards Association Summer Leadership event. School board associations throughout the country submitted statements for consideration and KSBA was among those selected to publicly address ways in which the federal government can assist local school districts in improving school safety. Read the full statement here.

2018 Safe Schools Coordinators Symposium

Eastern Kentucky University, in conjunction with the Kentucky Center for School Safety, is sponsoring a free school safety symposium on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The keynote speaker will be Marshall County Schools Superintendent Trent Lovett, along with the best of Kentucky's experts providing breakout sessions on paramount school safety issues. You can register for the symposium on our website.

First Degree Scholarship

For the eighth consecutive year, the board of directors of the Kentucky School Boards Association will fund two $2,500 scholarships for eligible Kentucky high school seniors to attend any two- or four-year accredited college or university. One scholarship each will be awarded to a male and a female student. These nonrenewable scholarships will be paid directly to the institution of higher education upon the recipients’ official admission acceptances.

Eligible students are those who would be the first members of their immediate families (parents, guardians, siblings) to receive a degree from an institution of higher education. The application must be completed in its entirety and received by KSBA no later than close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2018. Information on the First Degree College Scholarship Program, including application and criteria, can be found at the button below.

PEAK Award nominations deadline

KSBA is accepting nominations for its Fall 2018 PEAK (Public Education Achieves in Kentucky) Award. The award has been shining a spotlight on outstanding programs in the state since its inception in 1997.

 

The deadline for the Fall 2018 PEAK Award is four weeks away. Please submit your entry by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, to Matt McCarty.

 

The prestigious award recognizes outstanding public school efforts aimed at enhancing student learning skills and, in doing so, promotes the positive impact of public elementary and secondary education in the Commonwealth. 

More information on the PEAK Award, including the entry guidelines and links to stories on some of the recent winners, is on our website. If you have any questions, email or call Matt McCarty at 800-372-2962 ext. 1209.

Jump on board

KSBA is seeking nominations for a new president-elect and four new directors-at-large to serve on the association board.

Any board member who will be serving in 2019 is eligible to serve a three-year term as a director-at-large, with certain exceptions. The president-elect, who serves a two-year term, must be a member of the current board of directors. The president-elect will become the association’s president for two years, then will serve as the immediate past president for two years.

Nominations are due by Nov. 12. The form for directors-at-large can be found on KSBA’s website and the form for president-elect will be provided to all current KSBA board members.

The KSBA Board of Directors, which meets at least quarterly, sets association policy, legislative positions and annual budgets, and works closely with the association's professional staff on issues important to Kentucky's public elementary and secondary education system.

Make plans to attend the meeting in your region or another nearby region. This year's dinner program is entitled “Show Me the Money,” and will gain KSBA members both finance and charter authorizer credits. Regional meeting sites will also provide one-hour bonus session opportunities on a variety of topics prior to the start of the dinner program. Visit our website for more information.

This edition of KSBA Aware is made possible in part

by the following KSBA Affiliate Members.