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People Are Talking

Quotes on education from across Kentucky

Kentucky School Advocate
November 2015

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"A couple of years ago some students asked to meet and talk with me about current problems associated with their current school. These students were instrumental in the decision to get this new school. I thank them for their courage and dedication to their education. Over the next several months you will be able to watch the construction taking place across the street. This day should be planted in your memory forever as a day that the wildcat family were gathered together watching the beginning of a dream come true, so commit this moment to memory and remember it forever.” Breckinridge County Schools Superintendent Janet Meeks at the groundbreaking for a new Irvington Elementary School. From the Brandenburg Meade County Messenger.

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“It’s going to fundamentally change the way we are addressing the learning needs of our children.” Fayette County Board of Education member Daryl Love (left) on the district’s plan to check student progress every 30 days in the district’s lowest-performing schools. From the Lexington Herald-Leader.

“I hope it’s sorta like the ice cream truck. When people see it, they will get excited.” Marion County Schools Superintendent Taylora Schlosser on building funds into the district’s budget for a “dream bus,” a mobile classroom that will take educational materials and food to children throughout the community. From the Lebanon Enterprise.

“We’re here to see what lives here. We aren’t down here to kill anything … we return everything that we find.” Sherri Botkin, a seventh-grade science teacher at Taylor County Middle School, on her students’ ecosystems studies on the Green River. From the Campbellsville Central Kentucky News-Journal.

“I think it’s a game-changer. Once we learn all the components, compatibilities and software, I think (BIS) will be the flagship of the district as far as technology goes. Our PTO and SBDM have made technology a priority to stay with the times and provide what’s needed to keep students engaged.” Baker Intermediate School (Clark County) Principal Josh Mounts on a one-to-one laptops for students initiative, aided by a $100,000 gift from a local foundation. From the Winchester Sun.

“Once students think, ‘I’m not that good at math’ or ‘I didn’t score well on my ACT,’ they are already shut out of the learning mode. The structure is different – the whole class is different, so we’re not just saying that we are putting them in a 101 (class). We’re changing the way we are teaching all of the classes.” Kentucky State University Assistant Vice President for Academic Support Dr. Erin Wheeler on the university’s plan replacing remedial classes for students unable to do college-level work with courses specially designed for those enrollees. From the Frankfort State Journal.

“It’s not that anybody was bad or disrespectful beforehand. But after they get to spend regular time with an officer, they truly begin to appreciate someone in uniform. Our police department has been so fantastic with the kids, they even went out and played ball with them. That’s an opportunity our students wouldn’t have received in the classroom.” Berea Independent Schools after-school programming Director Bill Smallwood on police officer/student interaction during a productive citizenship class. From the Richmond Register.

“One of the plus sides of a CM (construction manager) over a GC (general contractor) is that a CM would move a trailer on site of the project and be a resident of the county while construction continues. It’s a very complicated project. It can be done with a GC, but due to the size of the project, it would be better with a CM.” Architect Michael Sparkman advising the Fleming County Board of Education on the benefits of hiring an on-site manager to oversee a $7 million renovation of the district’s high school. From the Maysville Ledger Independent.

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“Your information is kept completely confidential. The only people in the district who have knowledge of who are F/R (free/reduced) students work in the cafeterias. Even as the superintendent, I do not have open access to this information. (And) there is no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed to fill out the application. All of our schools are well over the 50 percent mark already so being on F/R lunch does not set your child apart in a small group. By not signing up you risk your child not eating lunch and maybe costing the schools and the district in federal funding.” Trimble County Schools Superintendent Steve Miracle (left) encouraging greater participation in the free-and-reduced meals program in a regular column he is now writing in the local newspaper. From the Bedford Trimble Banner.

“Each item will have a picture, description and nutrition facts with it and you can rate them. If there’s something they really like and enjoy, they can look it up and give it five stars. And we look at that. It helps because they’re the ones we’re feeding, not the parents. We really value their feedback. I think more parents are becoming health conscious and really want to know what their child is eating. It’s very helpful that it’s at your fingertips and you can just look and see.” Hardin County Schools Director of Child Nutrition Josey Crew on creation of a mobile application that allows students and parents to go online, view and even rate foods served in school cafeterias. From the Elizabethtown News-Enterprise.

“There are years where we excel because of population of that particular class, but our community is educated at that and they know how to read those reports and know what’s important to them and what’s important to them is that their child gets a solid education.” Jim Palm, superintendent of Southgate Independent School, the state’s smallest (180 students) district, on how test results can be affected year to year in his K-8 school. From the Louisville-based CN2 News.

“I think it communicates some uniqueness about our district. I would think it makes these students feel cared about, and that the district is really interested in quality teachers. My personal opinion is that this is a really good strategy that may take some time to refine, but I would suspect it’s going to be time well invested.” Paducah Independent Board of Education Chairman Carl LeBuhn in support of the district’s recruitment plan designed to increase diversity of its staff. From the Paducah Sun.

“In essence, districts are in the unfortunate situation of having to use more and more local funds each year to pay for pupil transportation costs, which are in theory a state obligation. This places a significant financial burden on districts, and also diverts funding from other critical areas, such as classroom instruction. Every superintendent I have spoken with agrees on two things: the safety and well-being of our students is paramount; and the current funding situation is untenable. Urgent action is needed in order to help our districts and ensure the safe transportation of all students is an adequately funded priority.” Kentucky Department of Education Associate Commissioner Hiren Desai urging backing for more state funding for school transportation costs. From the KDE weekly Commissioner’s Blog.

“Cyberbullying is sometimes easier to catch because there’s proof online and it can often lead to contacting the police. When somebody’s bullying you online, the bully can hide behind that keyboard but it can still hurt and it can be pretty bad. Often times it can make the bully braver.” Pineville Independent High School Principal Bill Keyes on one focus at his school during the October observation of Bullying Prevention Month. From the Middlesboro Daily News.

“If it takes me more than five minutes to explain the metrics, maybe it’s too hard. The system … is so complex that a lot of people outside of education don’t understand it. I have yet to talk to anyone who says, ‘We’re so glad to talk about percentiles.’” Jennifer Davis, director of elementary and secondary programs for Bowling Green Independent Schools, on trying to explain an aspect of Kentucky’s school assessment and accountability system. From the Louisville Courier-Journal.

“I’m not sure people generally understand what that overall score means because it’s so complex. It’s my job to understand it, but when I talk to teachers and others, I ask, ‘Do you really understand what your overall score means?’” Jan Stone, Bullitt County Schools’ director of assessment, data and research, on the same subject. From the Louisville Courier-Journal.