Jan. 25, 2023

In this issue:


  • KDE seeks public comment on updated Consolidated State Plan
  • US education secretary visits eastern Kentucky
  • KSBA Annual Conference update
  • FEMA approves flood cleanup reimbursement
  • Registration open for inaugural COSSBA annual conference
  • Superintendent search alerts
  • Annual Conference to feature CTE Student Showcase
  • KOSAA Annual Winter Meeting
  • KSBA Policy Service turns 40
  • KSBA in the News
  • Upcoming dates, deadlines and events

KDE seeks public comment on updated Consolidated State Plan

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is accepting public comment on revisions to Kentucky’s Consolidated State Plan to implement the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).


Public comments must be received by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. Review the revised plan on KDE’s website.


KDE also has submitted the plan to Gov. Andy Beshear. Amendments to the plan are required to ensure alignment with federal and state laws. Changes made since May 9, 2022, are indicated through track changes. 


Under federal law, state education agencies are required to submit a plan detailing the implementation of the law and how federal education dollars will be spent. After comments and the governor’s review, the state plan must be resubmitted to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) for review.


With KDE’s last plan submission, USED approved school accountability for the 2021-2022 school year based on status (current year performance) only. To fully implement the requirements of Kentucky Senate Bill 158 (2020), Kentucky must receive approval from USED to incorporate the change component (difference of status from one year to the next) on state indicators.


Comments may be emailed to kdecommunications@education.ky.gov. Comments also may be submitted via fax at 502-564-9321. All comments received by the deadline will be considered before the plan’s submission to USED. 

US education secretary visits eastern Kentucky

Miguel Cardona, U.S. Education Secretary, visited eastern Kentucky on Jan. 19 to tout career-oriented classrooms and a series of grants that helped make them possible. 


Cardona discussed recent grants the area received from the Promise Neighborhoods and Project Prevent programs to help reduce community violence and promote cradle-to-career efforts in low-income areas.


“What I saw here today is an example that I want to spread across the country: how to use resources; how to come together,” he said.


Partners for Rural Impact received $8 million in Promise Neighborhoods grant money to help improve education. Two school districts received Project Prevent grants: Allen County Schools received $800,000 and Jefferson County Schools received $588,802.


One of Cardona’s stops was at Perry County High School, one of the schools supported by Partners for Rural Impact, where Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass joined him to tour classes.


Cardona spoke to several students about how Kentucky schools are preparing them for their future careers. His visit culminated with a roundtable discussion with parents and educators about programs that help prepare students for careers.


“That feeling that my kids are good, my kids are cared for, that was present in the classrooms and in the conversations with parents,” Cardona said. “Every parent wants the best for their child, and when the community comes together like they have here in Hazard, that’s possible.”


Cardona also visited Roy G. Eversole Elementary School (Hazard Independent) with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to tour the early childhood education center and speak with parents. 

Annual Conference update

KSBA's 2023 Annual Conference is one month away! Board team members from more than 150 districts have already registered to attend #KSBA23.


Click the blue button below to begin registration or to modify an existing registration. You may also view/download a hard copy session schedule and registration form (subject to possible changes). 

Hotel reservations: KSBA has a limited block of reduced-rate hotel rooms at the Galt House for the nights of Feb. 23 through Feb. 25. Due to a high number of reservations by conference attendees, additional rooms have been added for Feb. 23.


The deadline to make hotel reservations through KSBA's block of rooms is Wednesday, Feb. 1 (or until the block sells out). The hotel link to reserve special rate rooms will be included exclusively in your event registration confirmation email, so register now!


Conference rates:

  • West Tower – Deluxe Guestrooms - $144.00 per night
  • East Tower – Executive Suites - $159.00 per night


Following the Feb. 1 deadline (or if the block sells out), Galt House rooms may still be available at standards rates.


Student Banners deadline approaching: KSBA will once again display beautiful banner artwork depicting the conference theme, "The Sky is the Limit." We encourage each district to submit a student-designed banner for display at conference. Student banner artwork (submitted digitally) will be featured in conference communications, displayed in a gallery at the event, printed in a commemorative conference booklet and more! Information on student banner art submissionsThe deadline to submit banner artwork for the 2023 Annual Conference is Feb. 13.


Questions about the student banners may be directed to training@ksba.org or call 800-372-2962.


Visit KSBA's Annual Conference page for additional conference information. Questions about this year's conference? Contact training@ksba.org or 800-372-2962.

FEMA approves flood cleanup reimbursement

FEMA has approved more than $1.6 million in federal funding to reimburse the Knott County Board of Education for its response to the July 26, 2022, eastern Kentucky floods.


FEMA approved $1,620,104 for emergency cleaning and mold and flood remediation conducted throughout the Knott County Schools between Aug. 2 and Aug. 23, 2022. During this time, the board used contractors at Knott County Central High School, Hindman Elementary and the Area Technology Center.


This project was funded at a 100% federal cost share, meaning FEMA reimburses 100% of eligible costs.


FEMA obligates funding for these projects directly to the Commonwealth. It is the Commonwealth’s responsibility to ensure that the eligible sub-recipients receive these awards.


For more information on Kentucky’s recovery from the floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4(@femaregion4)/Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.

Registration open for inaugural COSSBA annual conference

Join KSBA and board teams from across the nation March 30 – April 2 in Tampa for a long weekend of training and networking at the Consortium of State School Boards 

Associations’ (COSSBA) inaugural Annual Conference.


The early registration deadline for COSSBA's Annual Conference is Jan. 28. After this deadline, registration costs will return to the regular rate. Go to cossba.org for a conference schedule, keynote speaker information, access to hotel accommodations, easy online registration and more. Conference hotel accommodations are filling up, so act now.


COSSBA's inaugural Annual Conference brings together an impressive lineup of keynote and breakout presenters (some of whom are pictured below). See a full list of keynote presenter topics and bios here. You can review a schedule of breakout sessions .

Superintendent search alerts

KSBA's Superintendent Search Service is currently facilitating searches in the districts listed below. Click the district name to be directed to the position posting.


Boyle County Schools

Application deadline: Jan. 31, 2023 

 

Estill County Schools

Application deadline: Feb. 6, 2023


KSBA's experienced Superintendent Search consultants have worked with local school boards across Kentucky to facilitate more than 300 successful searches.

Annual Conference to feature CTE Student Showcase

Students from 32 schools will participate in the 2022-2023 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Showcase at KSBA’s Annual Conference on Feb. 24.


Conference attendees will have the opportunity to engage with student representatives of each featured CTE program, complete with displays and demos, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Students will also be recognized on stage during the conference’s opening session. The 2022-2023 CTE Showcase, which was the result of grants from the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education, is part of KDE’s celebration of CTE Month, a time when schools and education organizations are encouraged to highlight the value of career and technical education.


See a list of the participating schools and CTE programs.

KOSAA Annual Winter Meeting

KSBA will host the 2023 Annual Winter Meeting of the Kentucky Organization of Superintendents’ Administrative Assistants (KOSAA) during the association’s 2023 Annual Conference in Louisville. The Winter Meeting will be held at the Galt House Hotel on Friday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (ET).


See more details and register for the 2023 Annual KOSAA Winter Meeting.


This meeting is open to all KOSAA members. If you are not currently a member, you can join KOSAA by registering for this event. Annual KOSSA membership is free for Kentucky superintendents’ administrative assistants. The KOSAA meeting is sponsored by American Fidelity Educational Services.

KSBA Policy Service turns 40

This year, KSBA’s Policy Service celebrates 40 years. The association first began partnering with districts on their board policy updates in spring of 1983. Today, 170 of Kentucky’s 171 districts use KSBA’s service to ensure legal compliance and best practice. During this anniversary year, KSBA will be honoring the history and success of our policy experts and reflecting on important milestones along the way.  

KSBA in the News

Because of the unique roles school boards play in matters of policy and education trends, KSBA is often called on by media outlets to weigh in on important school-related issues and provide background.


Kentucky lawmaker wants to expand concealed carry laws, including guns at schools – Louisville Courier Journal (Jan. 24, 2023)


Partisan school board and city council elections? Some legislators want to make it happen –  Lexington Herald Leader (Jan. 3, 2023)

Upcoming dates, deadlines and events

Jan. 31: Local Superintendents Advisory Council meeting


Feb. 1: KSBA 2023 Annual Conference special rate hotel room deadline


Feb. 7-8: Kentucky Board of Education meeting


Feb. 7: Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes for 2023 Regular Session


Feb. 13: KSBA 2023 Annual Conference student banner artwork submission deadline


Feb. 14: KDE's Superintendents Webcast


Feb. 24-26: KSBA Annual Conference

This edition of KSBA Aware is made possible in part
by the following KSBA Affiliate Members.
Tier 1 Affiliates

Tier 2 Affiliates

Kentucky School Boards Association | 502-695-4630 | ksba.org
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