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0613 People Are Talking

People are Talking

“I think the biggest factor is it gives kids that practical experience. My students get to do lab work that most kids don’t know about until they’re juniors or seniors in college. I believe that we need to really encourage all kids to take more of these types of courses. Then they see the necessity of math, of following a procedure precisely. It’s hard and it’s challenging but it’s possible. These classes reinforce that.” Muhlenberg County High School teacher Craig Scharf on the benefits of engineering and biomedical courses that earned the school the state’s first national certification for such classes under Project Lead the Way. From the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. Photo provided by Muhlenberg County Schools

“We lead in a lot of things. We always want to set an example. (But) I’ll probably have to set my alarm.” A tongue-in-cheek Russell Independent Board of Education Chairwoman Judy Ledford after her board scheduled a midnight June 25, special meeting to adopt a policy of intent to raise the high school dropout rate as soon as a new law takes effect, thus qualifying for a state offer of $10,000 for planning to implement the law. From the Ashland Daily Independent.

“To think you can get away with these things with all of the advances in surveillance and evidence collection is just not really smart. I think after a while, though, reality is going to set in. The suspect is not in a good place right now, and I would hope that would lead to showing a lot of remorse and understanding that this was a very bad thing to do.” Commonwealth’s Attorney Mark Blankenship after a juvenile was arrested in connection with a bomb threat at Calloway County High School. From the Murray Ledger & Times.

“Ultimately, I think it will be a strong way for teachers and principals to reflect on their own teaching methods and look for ways to improve. It will help all of us to grow and improve professionally, me included.” Bardstown Elementary Principal Paul Bowling on his decision to volunteer his school as one of the field testing sites in the state’s Professional Growth and Effectiveness System. From the Bardstown Kentucky Standard.

“If there is a chance that a student could be charged with anything of a criminal nature, they always are read their Miranda rights, and if they are questioned as a witness, they are made aware of their rights. We always contact the parents first so that they can be aware of anything happening and have the opportunity to be present if their child has somehow gotten into trouble.” Rowan County Schools Superintendent Marvin Moore on his belief that current district practices won’t need to change much under a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling requiring students to be alerted to their right against self-incrimination when being questioned in the presence of a school resource officer. From the Morehead News.

“We’re gonna look into what we as a school district can do to help some folks out.” Campbellsville Independent Schools Superintendent Mike Deaton on the district’s efforts to address parents’ child care issues when early release Fridays are added to next year’s calendar. From the Campbellsville Central Kentucky News-Journal.

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“It’s extremely frustrating for the district because this is all about reductions, and when you talk about reductions, it’s not program reductions at this point, it’s reduction in personnel. And when you’re reducing personnel, you are reducing services that are ultimately going to have an impact. We’re feeling the pinch this year. We’ve done everything possible as a board of education and a school district to minimize the impact on the classroom.” Campbell County Schools Superintendent Glen Miller on the real world consequences facing school leaders due to federal sequestration. From the Fort Mitchell Kentucky Enquirer.

Partnering up for higher ed
“Rarely does a program such as this come to fruition, and because it will not cost our students any money, their families can realize the college dream—at least the first year and a half or two years of credit—at no expense. And that’s because of the commitment of the Knox County Board of Education and Union College to make college a reality for students.” Just-retired Knox County Superintendent Walter Hulett on one of his last actions, signing the paperwork to create the Union Collegiate Institute Early Start Program, enabling students to earn up to 29 credit hours at the Barbourville college at no cost. From the Barbourville Mountain Advocate.

“Dr. Lake and I are forming a task force to look at shared-campus opportunities between the college and our career and tech center. We can open opportunities. We would like for our students to spend time at Hopkinsville Community College and Murray State. We need to show them there is life after high school. ‘Don’t drop out. We have opportunities for you. We have jobs for you.’” Christian County Schools Superintendent Mary Ann Gemmill on working with Hopkinsville Community College Interim President Dr. Pat Lake on a possible college and career prep partnership. From the Hopkinsville Kentucky New Era.

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“This QZAB (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds) funding is extremely important to allow us to do renovation work to Livingston County Middle School. I feel it will definitely extend the life of the building and make it a serviceable structure for the Livingston County school system for years to come.” Livingston County Schools Superintendent Darryl Chittenden upon learning that his district had been approved for a second round of federal low-interest construction bonding. From the Smithland Livingston Ledger.

“We’ll have young, passionate, energetic students working in the building. We are trying to build a teacher quality career program. We want to keep our best and brightest in the classroom.” Simpson County Schools Superintendent Jim Flynn on his district’s participation in a Western Kentucky University program in which teachers and professors will expand regular student teacher training through extended mentoring. From the Bowling Green Daily News.

“The tomatoes produced during the school year will be bought by the schools. In the state of Kentucky they will get a 20 percent rebate for buying a Kentucky Proud product. I think it’s a program changer. It’s something state of the art for the kids to work on. This is the trend as far as vegetables are concerned. This process wasn’t even taught when I was in college and that was 12 years ago.” Clinton County High School agriculture teacher Matt Johnson on the benefits of a hydroponic tomato production course being added at his school. From the Albany Clinton County News.

“Ever since we’ve both lived here, I’ve been at Auburn, and he’s been at Olmstead. We’re used to that rivalry. That’s just a part of it and we just have fun with it. Ultimately we want everybody to be successful, but you always want to be just a little bit more successful than everyone else.” Katina Kemplin, an assistant principal at one Logan County elementary school on being chosen as principal of another elementary school in the system. Her husband, Ben, is principal of another of the district’s elementaries. From the Russellville News Democrat Leader.

“He was the first president to ride in a submarine, the first to have his own car, and the first to fly in a plane. He kept over 40 pets in the White House. I was watching Blue Bloods (the CBS television police drama) and his photo was on the wall.” Shepherdsville Elementary School fifth-grader Chase Hood on what he learned about (and how he selected) President Theodore Roosevelt to portray in a living history museum at his school. From the Shepherdsville Pioneer News.

Student-led prayers at high school graduation

Point...
“The students have voted each year, and this year there happened to be students voting against prayer during graduation. Yes, this saddens me. I also understand that with freedom of speech, prayer could be incorporated by that speaker.” Lincoln County Board of Education member Theresa Long on a decision to end a tradition of a student-led prayer as part of the high school graduation ceremony. From the Danville Advocate-Messenger.

Counterpoint...
“A lot of people are saying if there are prayers at graduation, you don’t have to participate, you can sit there and not listen, close your ears. Well, it’s my graduation. I shouldn’t have to close my ears. I feel like I’m graduating from Lincoln County High, not Lincoln County Church.” Senior Bradley Chester, one of the students who approached the principal in opposition to the prayer tradition. From WKYT-TV in Lexington.