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People Are Talking

Kentucky School Advocate

October 2016

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"We target that sophomore class because we feel like if someone is still trying to decide on a career or focus, that still gives them time to get involved their junior or senior years at the high school level in the ag programs, see what they like and, then hopefully, take that on into college and maybe try to help focus them and give them some ideas of what they might like to do.” Local bank President Tawna Wright on sponsoring a day-long student trip to a farm where various agriculture-related career opportunities – and the skills and/or knowledge needed for those jobs – were spelled out. From the Calhoun McLean County News. (Photo courtesy of McLean County Schools) Click here for full story

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“Instead of relying on social media, I encourage any parents who have questions to contact the principals or the central office. It was on a Facebook page, not affiliated with the school district, where false information was relayed and caused turmoil. It was brought to my attention that some posts made it seem like we eliminated elementary basketball and cheerleading, but that was never the case. Those statements were false.” McCreary County Schools Superintendent Michael Cash on problems caused when social media was used to spread rumors about a change involving elementary schools. From the Whitley City McCreary Voice. Click here for full story

“They acted like it was their money that they were fighting over. They sent that message pretty clearly with the mediator back downstairs to the Marrillia (Design and Construction Company) crew, and I think they finally got the message.” Board attorney Jim Crawford on the roles played by Carroll County Board Chair Carolyn Jones and Vice Chair Mona Kindoll during a mediation process to settle a long-standing dispute over a school construction project. From the Carrollton News-Democrat. Click here for full story

“Every year or two, we have a number of excess items we no longer use that we need to sell. After a while we kind of run out of storage space. Hopefully we’ll be able to sell these things and put those funds toward those purchases. We’ve utilized them for a good number of years and getting the best out of them and it’s time to move on.” Barren County Schools Assistant Superintendent Mark Wallace on the district’s latest surplus property sale, including several well-worn vehicles. From the Glasgow Daily Times. Click here for full story

“I tried overdosing. And then I tried drowning myself. ... (Now) they talk in groups. They don’t point fingers or anything like that. Everything is confidential, too. It feels really good to be able to go and talk to them.” Ballard (County) Memorial High School Senior Marisa Gonzalez on the suicide prevention efforts at her school. From WPSD-TV of Paducah. Click here for full story

“We’ve gone from about 1,000 Mbit/s to about 10 Mbit/s. Most homes have more than that, so you can imagine the situation it’s creating for all those students and teachers.” Crittenden County Schools Superintendent Vince Clark on how tree foliage on private property was interfering with internet access at an elementary school. From the Marion Crittenden Press. Click here for full story

“The compensating rate is treading water because it’s the rate that has to be assigned to collect the same amount as previously. We have not treaded water; we have sunk some. We have been running off some fiscal decisions from the past.” LaRue County Board of Education member Price Smith on feeling that eight straight years of adopting the compensating tax rate has hurt the district. From the Hodgenville LaRue County Herald-News. Click here for full story

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“I think we’ve seen the repercussions of a long period of time without a tax increase. With the SEEK funding basically flat since 2008, you have one other way to get revenue and that’s through your property taxes. The pay increases were well-deserved and much needed [but] that has caused us to go backwards. When you look at the numbers…you can see our contingency going in a positive direction until that period of time. I’d hate to see that impacted more than it already has been. I think we do a lot with a little.” Pulaski County Board of Education Vice Chairman Randy Emerson on his motion to pass a property tax rate to produce a 4 percent revenue growth. From the Somerset Commonwealth-Journal. Click here for full story

“There’s not a textbook answer to some of these problems.” Wurtland Middle School (Greenup County) teacher Miruka Williams on how a pair of state-of-the-art STEM labs for designing and manufacturing prototype products are used to introduce career opportunities to students. From the Ashland The Independent. Click here for full story

“We feel like if we don’t push kids to at least sample programs that were offered, then they would never attend up here. Our goal for that was to after Christmas get them into a pathway or set of classes that they’re really interested in. Regardless of whether or not they decide to pursue, let’s say automotive, as a career, the lesson is still to show how to change a tire using the jack that’s equipped with the car, how to check the oil. Carpentry, probably everybody is going to live in a house someday, whether or not they make a career out of it, they are going to have to know how to do some routine maintenance on the house.” Marion County Area Technology Center Principal Brandon Bardin on a series of “career exploration courses” starting at his school this year. From the Lebanon Enterprise. Click here for full story

“Without clear and final legal rulings on this topic, it is difficult for districts to write a policy. We continue to look forward to additional guidance from the state and federal governments as these cases work their way through the legal system.” Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Matt Thompson on the wait-and-see approach regarding any local policy changes regarding transgender students and access to school bathrooms and locker rooms. From the Mt. Sterling Advocate. Click here for full story

“Increasing access to dual-credit programs has become a priority at the state level. Our juniors and seniors have already been taking dual-credit courses at no cost to their families, but the state funding will help supplement what we’re doing. It’s a definite boost.” Ludlow Independent Schools college and career readiness coordinator Jenny McMillen on the benefits of a $7.5 million state dual-credit scholarship program. From the Cincinnati WCPO-TV. Click here for full story

“We may have to charge parents more next year. Most of the districts in the state don’t have this problem and I’ve heard from some that they may have to send some of their scholarship money back. It’s very unusual for a district our size to have so many taking dual-credit courses.” Henry County Schools Superintendent Tim Abrams on what a state official called an “unintended consequence” some districts are facing with the rules of the state’s new dual-credit program. From the Eminence Henry County Local. Click here for full story

“We have over 100 middle and high school kids in band now, and over 300 throughout the elementary schools. So much more is needed, it’s a problem but a great problem to have.” Johnson (County) Central High School band director Martina Lutz on the impact of a donation of musical instruments to the district by country music singer and graduate Chris Stapleton. From the Paintsville Herald. Click here for full story

“We’re a very high performing school here. Parents don’t want their kids to be out of class. A lot of us are old school, and parents will ask us if they can use that option. We try many things before we get to that point. We don’t do it for running in the hallway or not having a pencil.” Bell Central School Principal Greg Wilson, whose school reported 107 uses of corporal punishment in 2015. Bell County had the most paddling reports of any district in the state. From the Lexington Herald-Leader. Click here for full story

“There was corporal punishment when I was going to school, and I’m not any worse the wear for it. I’m not a fan of changing the law unless it’s absolutely necessary. At this point, I don’t know that anybody has presented any overwhelming evidence that we need a change in the law.” Senate Education Committee Chairman Mike Wilson (R-Bowling Green) responding to suggestions that the legislature prohibit corporal punishment in schools. From the Lexington Herald-Leader. Click here for full story