January 9, 2019
In this issue:

  • Kentucky General Assembly begins 2019 session
  • School Board Recognition Month
  • Register for KSBA's 2019 Annual Conference
  • #RoseAT30
  • Beyond the Board with Kimber Fender
  • KDE releases dyslexia toolkit
  • KSBA poll question, results
  • Upcoming dates, deadlines and events
Kentucky General Assembly begins 2019 session
The General Assembly convened in Frankfort Tuesday for the 2019 regular session. Even though this is not a budget year, many education issues could be brought up, including school safety, charter funding, reforming school-based decision making councils and changing the teacher tribunal process.
 
The legislature could also decide to take up pension reform before they adjourn on March 29. The January Kentucky School Advocate contains an in-depth look at topics likely to be discussed.
 
KSBA’s legislative agenda can be found on our website . You can also download a printable PDF version .
 
Be on the lookout each Friday during the session for a wrap-up of that week’s legislative action. Also, watch for special action alerts in which we will urge you to contact your legislators about a specific proposal. The fir st action alert, sent Tuesday, asks everyone to contact their senator in support of SB3, the school-based decision making council reform bill, and SB8, the teacher tribunal reform bill.
School Board Recognition Month
January is School Board Recognition Month. While we appreciate you, our school board members, 365 days a year, we are especially mindful this month. From the KSBA team, thank you for all that you do for public education in our Commonwealth. View a special message from KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling below.
There is no shortage of ways to show appreciation for school boards, but KSBA wants to help make it that much easier for district personnel. We have created a comprehensive toolkit with templates and ideas. This year’s toolkit includes:

· Proclamation template

· News release template

· Letter to the Editor template

· Certificates of appreciation

· Social media graphics

· Ideas for special activities

As part of School Board Recognition Month, the January issue of the Kentucky School Advocate recognized some board members with School Board Superlatives.
Annual Conference online registration now open
Registration is now open for KSBA's 83rd Annual Conference, which will be held Feb. 22-24 at the Galt House in Louisville.

Board members and superintendents will be receiving the registration brochure in the mail soon. The brochure (cover pictured) contains details on pre-conference sessions, general sessions and all clinic sessions, plus hotel and KOSAA meeting information.

By following the link below, you can also see descriptions of all sessions and get registered online.
Rose decision 30th anniversary
2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark Rose v. Council decision, paving the way for education improvement in Kentucky and the nation. Throughout the year we will join our partners to remember that mandate and honor our shared mission. Check out KSBA’s Facebook and Twitter pages as we regularly share language from the court decision using the hashtag #RoseAT30.
Campbell Co. board member answers call to action
Why did you want to serve on your school board?

I was going through Leadership Cincinnati, and we had different themed days, and on our education day a call to action came from John Pepper, the retired CEO of Procter and Gamble. He said if you ever have a chance to be involved in your local school, you should do it. It’s the most important thing you can do to help our communities.

Now that you’ve been on school board for seven years, do you agree?

I do, I think it really has been true. There is just so much need in our public schools and so much potential, that’s where our students really have their best opportunities to set the course for their future, and without good public schools that simply won’t happen.

Besides the school board, how else are you involved in your community?

I serve on the Girls Scouts of Western Ohio Council, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati board and the Success By Six Leadership Council, a fundraising committee for the University of Kentucky, the University of Cincinnati's Dean of Libraries Advisory Council, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Foundation Board, until November I was serving on the Child Poverty Collaborative Public Policy Work Group and I also have Girl Scout troop.

Why do you want to be so involved in your community?

I don’t like to sit around, I like to be busy doing a lot of things. There are a lot of things that need doing and I think it’s harder for some people to volunteer than it is for me, because their jobs may not afford them the flexibility of schedule that mine did, and now that I’m retired it’s not even a concern. I also think my experience at library gave me some skills that let me contribute the other organizations. 

Note: Fender and KSBA Director of Governmental Relations Eric Kennedy explained to school board members at Winter Symposium how everyone can be an advocate for their schools.
KDE says dyslexia toolkit “will hopefully have long-term benefits”
A new 20-page toolkit, designed to provide educators and families with a resource to help meet the learning needs of students with dyslexia or those who display characteristics of dyslexia, has been released by the Kentucky Department of Education.

The “Kindergarten to Grade 3 Dyslexia Toolkit,” created in response to The Ready to Read Act House Bill 187 (2018) can be found on KDE’s website . A recent webinar reviewing the toolkit can be found here .

“If diagnosed and addressed early, children with dyslexia can learn and thrive just as other children. Preparing teachers to identify the characteristics of dyslexia and getting them the tools to support students is critical,” Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis said. “Without diagnosis and intervention, children with dyslexia are at a distinct disadvantage in school and later in the workforce. This toolkit will serve as a resource and will hopefully have long-term benefits for Kentuckians for years to come.”
The Ready to Read Act , spearheaded by former State Rep. Addia Wuchner, was a bi-partisan effort aimed at decreasing the education barriers for students with dyslexia. The bill's goal was to increase educators’ knowledge of the characteristics of dyslexia and appropriate teaching strategies; and to establish a process for identifying individual learning needs.

“In working with experts over the years and having family members who are dyslexic, I can speak to the power of early identification of children at risk of dyslexia followed by the implementation of interventions,” Wuchner said. “I’m thankful for the work of the Kentucky Department of Education on this effort and I look forward to seeing how it can improve lives and academic outcomes in the years ahead.”
KSBA poll
In celebration of SBRM, what is your favorite thing about school board service?
Representing the interests of my local constituents
Expanding educational opportunities for students
Working with my fellow board team members
Improving my governance skills through professional learning
KSBA poll results
What is your top 2019 New Year's resolution for school board service?
Upcoming dates, deadlines and events
PEAK Award nominations deadline
 
KSBA is accepting nominations for its Spring 2019 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 Spring 2019 PEAK Award is six weeks away. Please submit your entry by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 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.
Training on Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention due by Jan. 31
Policy update: All current school administrators, certified personnel, office staff, instructional assistants, coaches and extracurricular sponsors shall complete board selected training on child abuse and neglect prevention, recognition and reporting by Jan. 31, 2017, and every two years thereafter.

School administrators, certified personnel, office staff, instructional assistants, coaches and extracurricular sponsors hired after Jan. 31, 2017, shall complete the training within 90 days of being hired, and every two years thereafter.

KSBA's Policy Connection newsletter is sent out quarterly. For more policy notes, go to the January Policy Connection.
This edition of KSBA Aware is made possible in part
by the following KSBA Affiliate Members.
Kentucky School Boards Association | 502-695-4630 | www.ksba.org