Election 2019

Governor-elect Beshear moves forward, Bevin requests recanvass

Attorney General Andy Beshear has declared victory over Gov. Matt Bevin with Beshear receiving 5,189 more votes than the incumbent. Bevin, however, has declined to concede the election.

Bevin on Wednesday requested an election recanvass which will take place on Nov. 14. After that, Bevin could contest the election under a provision in the state constitution which says that “contested elections for Governor and Lieutenant. Governor shall be determined by both Houses of the General Assembly.” Meanwhile, Beshear on Wednesday announced his transition plans and reiterated his promise to replace members of the Kentucky Board of Education. Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis said he is "sure" that move would be met by a lawsuit and that he will not resign.

Local school board, nickel taxes

At least 28 school board seats were decided Tuesday night. In Fayette County, challenger Christy Morris unseated Will Nash, who was appointed by the commissioner to the seat in November 2018. Nash made news during the campaign by sending texts and a mailer using district parent contact information.

In Jefferson County, incumbent Joe Marshall, who was appointed by the JCPS board in August, successfully defended his seat against six challengers. Next door in Bullitt County, former state representative Linda Belcher won a seat on the board over three other candidates including the appointed incumbent Shannon Cummings.

Another incumbent lost his appointed seat in Marion County. William Cox will be replaced by Jim Eubank who won over Cox and one other candidate.

A proposed nickel tax in Christian County failed by a 2 to 1 margin. The tax, passed by the board in February, was intended to fund new buildings for Hopkinsville and Christian County high schools, however 9,301 residents (66 percent) voted against the tax. 

Progress on nation ’ s report card stalls

Kentucky students’ progress on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has stalled according to recently released scores on NAEP, commonly referred to as the nation’s report card.

The assessment, which is given every two years to a sample of elementary and middle school students throughout the country, was administered in the spring of 2019 to 6,300 students in 318 Kentucky schools.

Kentucky students performed about the same as students in roughly half of other states, however, Kentucky’s scores either remained the same from 2009 and 2017 or dropped slightly.

In fourth grade reading, the percentage of students reaching proficient or above dropped 3 percentage points to 35 percent. In eighth grade reading, scores dropped one percentage point to 33 percent reaching proficient or above.

In mathematics, the percentage of Kentucky students scoring proficient or above remained flat in both fourth grade and eighth grade. (See Prichard Committee chart above)

More of a concern for Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis was the number of students who performed at the lowest level, called Below Basic, on the tests. The results showed 33 percent of fourth graders and 27 percent of eighth graders were Below Basic in reading. In mathematics, 19 percent of fourth graders and 33 percent of eighth graders scored Below Basic.

“If we are serious about changing these outcomes, we have to act intentionally and strategically to ensure all Kentucky students, particularly our most vulnerable students, have access to high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum and effective instruction,” he said.

Brigitte Blom Ramsey, Prichard Committee executive director, said that the state must return to a place of progress for its students.

“As a state, we must ensure that our schools have the resources necessary to provide rigorous and supportive learning environments for each and every student – including high-quality teaching and access to curricula that promotes the development of problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and artistic expression,” she said. 

Keeping board meetings civil and productive

Having protocols in place to deal with conflicts and standards for meeting behavior can keep the focus on the best interest of students, said Peggy Wozniak, a retired superintendent.

Read more in this month's issue of AASA's School Administrator. 

Four Kentucky teachers win Presidential Award for math, science teaching

Four Kentucky mathematics and science teachers are among 213 recipients of the  Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching  (PAEMST), which is awarded to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. Winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians and educators.

The Kentucky winners are:

Winners receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and are invited to Washington for professional development opportunities.

Registration open for 2019 Winter Symposium

KSBA’s 2019 Winter Symposium is a little more than two weeks away, but there is still time to register. Join hundreds of board members, superintendents and education leaders for a two-day intensive training Nov. 22-23 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown (new location). At the event, network with colleagues from across the state and learn from informative sessions designed to enhance your school board service. A complete schedule and easy online registration is available at the button below. Printed registration booklets were mailed last month. You can also download the booklet.

The 2019 Winter Symposium is KSBA's last conference of the year, so take advantage of this opportunity to earn significant training hours.

Q: You were recently appointed to the board of the Kentucky Center for School Safety. What do you think can be done to improve safety at Kentucky’s schools?

My biggest concern is whether or not we will get funding for the changes that are in Senate Bill 1, and we will soon find out what this session holds for that concern. I’m hopeful there will be more mental health support in schools. All of the physical changes to buildings are necessary, but they don’t protect students in the community. If we can support the mental health of students to a greater degree, then our children are safer everywhere. I have seen how mental health status in children can change radically – how it can change and improve – in my work at The Providence School, the alternative program in Jessamine County. We took students as sixth graders and they had the option of graduating from our school. A child’s mental health status can change drastically when one part of their life becomes stable, especially a part as important as education. I am hopeful Senate Bill 1 is able to help schools do that for more of our children.

The new KCSS Board meets for the first time next week, and one of the first things SB 1 asks us to do is review the structure of the center and how it operates. Then we will make recommendations for improvements in how the center can support districts in making schools safer.

Q: Before becoming a board member, you served as principal of the Providence School, Jessamine County’s alternative program. Why is it important for districts to support alternative education?

At-risk students change schools frequently. That is what I saw as an elementary school counselor, and I saw the insecurity that develops in children as they fall hopelessly behind their classmates putting them further at-risk for all kinds of academic and social issues. I believe good alternative education can change the course of a young person’s life. Now I am retired and on the back side of helping create The Providence School. Nearly every day I see the positive adult outcomes for people who were at one time considered at-risk for all types of failure. When an anxious student returns to school in the fall to teachers that already know them well, anxiety is minimized and learning is maximized. Good alternative education restores hope for children and, honestly, it restores hope for many teachers. Sadly, in larger schools the familiarity with at-risk students is often negative.

Q: As a former educator, what is something that you didn’t realize about school board service that you have learned in your first year on the Jessamine County school board?

You go into serving on the board not really knowing one another. There were two new board members this year on our board, and we’re finally getting to where we know each other, but because of the formalities of board meetings and open meeting laws, it is difficult to just sit down and discuss what are our strengths as people, and how do we bring those strengths together to form a board that’s really going to make a difference in Jessamine County. We’re requesting a KSBA trainer come to Jessamine County to train and support us in forming the most efficient and effective board possible. So, at first that was a bit of a surprise. There never seemed to be enough time or space for both kinds of conversations, the board business and the general views we each have. I feel like we could cover the concerns the board is supposed to cover better if we had a chance to first sit down and say, ‘This is who we are, now as a board, how are we going to accomplish this task and do it well?’

New clearinghouse requirement for bus drivers

Starting on Jan. 6, 2020 school districts must report drug and alcohol violations committed by bus drivers to an online, national database, according to a new regulation from the Federal Department of Transportation. Under the new rule, districts must also run pre-employment checks on applicants and perform yearly checks on current drivers using the new clearinghouse system. Read more about the new rule. 

Theme selected for KSBA Annual Conference; information for student involvement, banners

KSBA’s annual conference planning committee has chosen the theme for the 84th Annual Conference to be held Feb. 21–23 at the Galt House in Louisville. “Education in Focus: Vision 2020” will serve as inspiration for this year’s gathering, from session topics to student banner designs. The theme speaks to the importance of reprioritizing public education at a time where Kentucky’s system of common schools is vulnerable. KSBA's annual conference will celebrate where we have been and where we aspire to be in the years ahead. 

Detailed conference information, including registration instructions and schedule, will be mailed around the first of the year. In the meantime, we are looking to districts to help make this year’s conference exceptional.

Here are several ways districts can participate:

Student banner displays

District banners are perhaps our most popular annual conference tradition. The banners remind attendees of schools’ primary focus - learning and learners. Submitted banners must identify the school district and depict the conference theme. Download detailed instructions for the banners which must be received by KSBA by Feb. 20, 2020.

Call for proposals

KSBA is accepting proposals for workshop presentations. Download a proposal form which must be submitted by Nov. 29.

Call for student involvement at annual conference

Student performers are featured throughout the conference, often at the start of general sessions. Download a student performance a proposal which must be submitted by Nov. 29.

Hammers elected regional chair

Deborah Hammers, who has served on Butler County's school board for nine years, has been selected as the new third regional chairperson for KSBA's Board of Directors at the Third Region fall meeting. Hammers has worked as an area specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 27 years and was previously a representative for a 13-state region of the USDA's employee association. Hammers is a member of her local chamber of commerce and is an active supporter of youth organizations within her community.

November Advocate available online

Kentucky once had more than 500 school districts. After Silver Grove Independent merged with Campbell County in July, that number is down to 172. Read about how the closing of the 108-year-old district was emotional for students, parents and staff, and why school board felt it was in the best interest of both students and taxpayers.

The November issue of the Kentucky School Advocate also takes a look at what happens after Kentucky school districts join forces.

Also, in this month’s Advocate:

Do you have questions about training hours? KSBA has answers

In a guest column, the author of “The Governance Core” asks, does your school board have a governance mindset?

KSBA’s Eric Kennedy and Board of Directors member Jason Reeves tell Prichard Committee how communities can support boards

In Conversation With … Allison Slone on advocating for dyslexic students and becoming a teacher leader

Trending Now: Get smart(phones) with apps

President’s Perspective: Finding the courage

Upcoming dates, deadlines and events

Nov. 18-22: American Education Week

Nov. 19: Parents Day

Nov. 20: Education Support Professionals Day

Nov. 20: Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting

Nov. 22: Substitute Educators Day

Nov. 22-23: KSBA Winter Symposium

Nov. 27: Deadline for nominations for the Proudfoot Outstanding School Board Member and F.L. Dupree Outstanding Superintendent awards

Dec. 4: Kentucky Board of Education meeting, Frankfort

Dec. 10: Local School Board Members Advisory Council

This edition of KSBA Aware is made possible in part

by the following KSBA Affiliate Members.