President's Perspective

By Allen Kennedy
KSBA President

 

We asked and you answered.

 

Thanks to the board members and superintendents who attended KSBA’s Fall Regional Meetings, our Board of Directors now has a more clearly marked road map as it puts together its priorities for the next year.

 

The fall gatherings represented the first time KSBA used instant polling technology – electronic “clickers” – for a general event, and the system worked well.

 

Interestingly, based on the polling results, it seems that board members feel the public doesn’t understand what their job entails. Overwhelmingly, the need to educate the public about the role of a school board member topped the list of priorities on which the members polled believe we should focus.

 

Here are the cumulative results from all 12 regional meetings:

 

36.28 percent – Better educate the public on the role of a school board member.

 

29.89 percent – Expedite development of the Online Learning Center.

 

19.24 percent – Conduct a member needs assessment.

 

10.61 percent – Increase connections between boards and their communities.

 

3.98 percent – Expand eMeeting functionality beyond school boards.

After the meetings, many board members remarked that they really appreciated the opportunity to give feedback in a meaningful and timely way – being in the loop before the KSBA board sets its priorities. Our board is equally appreciative that we can make sure our efforts meet your expectations.

 

One side benefit was that board members got some hands-on experience – and enjoyment – using an electronic tool that students are using in their district’s schools.

 

I thank you again for your input on these issues; be assured we will be formulating a plan of action to move forward with your responses.

 

Breaking it down, a total of 676 individuals representing 131 districts attended this year’s Fall Regional Meetings. We traveled over 3,700 miles, from the Second Region’s meeting on Sept. 1 at Webster County High School to the Nov. 3 gathering for the Upper Cumberland Region at Corbin Independent High School.

 

Besides attendees, thanks also goes to the KSBA board’s regional chairpersons, superintendents and administrative assistants for their outstanding meeting preparation, hospitality and student performances. We are fortunate at KSBA to have a gifted staff that produced an excellent format that was both informative and challenging for us all.

 

I want to give a special thanks to our president elect, David Webster, for his tireless support and attendance. He is devoted to our kids in Kentucky, his district in Simpson County and his role with KSBA.

 

Thank you for your service to your communities, districts and the kids of Kentucky.