People Are Talking

April 2016

 

"I would say that that’s pretty accurate. While we are very appreciative of SEEK and the health of it being held constant, the way school funding works is, especially with these other programs that we are going to have to see cuts in, if a school or district decides they want to keep a school resource officer, but yet safe schools (funding) has been cut, they’ve got to pull money from their general fund, which comes from SEEK. When you start to comingle all of those different funding sources, you have to make some priority decisions. I appreciate the fact that SEEK is held constant, but, yes, from an overall perspective, our districts will see a hit from this budget.” Commissioner of Education Stephen L. Pruitt in response to a legislator’s question on whether K-12 school programs are held harmless in Gov. Matt Bevin’s budget plan for the 2016-18 biennium. From the Frankfort KSBA eNews Service.

“Gov. Matt Bevin has stated his proposed cuts to education are a mere ‘9 cents’ on every dollar. Framing these cuts in this way could lead one to believe that only ‘pennies’ are being cut from our children. This is far from the truth. The impact of the proposed cuts will directly impact our ability to educate and support our children. All students in Kentucky will lose services if these cuts are approved, and these ‘9-cent’ cuts to services for children will add up to millions of dollars.” Portions of an op-ed article by Dayton Independent Schools Superintendent Jay Brewer, detailing the program-by-program impact of the governor’s proposed budget. From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

 

 

 

 

“This is not optimum, but we looked, and I always look, to do what we can to reduce costs in our office before we do anything that directly affects students. It’s fallen to the local (districts) to pick up what the state hasn’t picked up as far as education. We have to try and cope, not knowing what to expect exactly, so this is our best guess. We have to be responsible and do the best we can to continue serving our students with the limited resources that we have.” Jessamine County Schools Superintendent Kathy Fields on her proposal to reduce central office spending by $800,000 and cut 10 positions next year as part of planning the 2016-17 budget. From the Nicholasville Jessamine Journal.

 

 

 

 

“We can technically have a computer for every kid in the classroom. The programs will address their individual needs. The money for this project came from funds we had allocated for a program like this. Last spring we outlined our plan for totally revamping our computer networking system, and since then we have put in over 370 new devices, including desktops, laptops, and wireless items. This mobile lab program was part of that network renovation for our schools to make them equal to or above any school in the area.” Ludlow Independent Schools Superintendent Mike Borchers on the start-up of a mobile technology lab in his district’s two schools. From the Covington River City News.

 

“We’re going to teach you things like how to read drawings, engineering drawings, how to assemble parts, how to ensure quality is right every time on a product that’s being made, how to operate some of the machinery we’re going to talk about here in a minute. How to use those tools to develop your experience base, so that when you walk off the street, you’re not just Joe Smith, high school grad, but you’re Joe Smith, two-year experienced manufacturing technician.” Clark Materials Vice President of Operations Chuck Mix to Woodford County High School students on his firm’s support for the school’s manufacturing program. From the Versailles Woodford Sun.

“They can’t complain if they choose the menu.” Monroe County Schools Food Services Director Tony Harlan on a tasting event in which high school students tried out foods from several vendors, with the results to be used in choosing items for future cafeteria meal options. From the Tompkinsville Monroe County Citizen.

“This is a small town. I talked to the CEO of Topix, he’s not from a small town. He couldn’t fathom why it’s such an issue around here.” Ashland Police Sgt. and Cyber Crime Unit Director Ryan Conley on how his agency is attempting to reduce cyberbullying by reporting insults involving students to moderators at the popular social media site. From the Ashland The Independent.

“Plant that seed: ‘Don’t do anything crazy here.’” Simpson County Schools Superintendent Jim Flynn on one goal of a $61,000 project to install night vision cameras at each school in his district. From WBKO-TV in Bowling Green.

“The teachers were asked to pick up and move out and two days later be ready to teach. It was a lot of people working really hard and we didn’t miss a beat.” Fort Thomas Independent Schools Facilities Management Director Jerry Wissman on staff work to ensure minimal interruption in classroom learning during a $19 million renovation of Moyer Elementary School. From the Fort Mitchell Community Press & Recorder.