Slam Dunc
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will headline a one-day conference focused on sharing ideas for increasing the operational productivity of Kentucky schools and districts.
The Nov. 10 event will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville, hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Conference participants will “learn about how to improve processes and practices” and hear more about operating in new and innovative ways, according to Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday.
Besides Duncan, national productivity experts will discuss education productivity and Kentucky education leaders will share best practices that have worked for their schools and districts.
KDE, which is coordinating registration, is encouraging districts to send a team of three to the event – superintendent, a district-level manager and a school board member. The team cost is $200; it’s $75 for individuals.
KSBA is one of the sponsors of the conference, along with the Kentucky Center for Performance Excellence, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators.
Awards deadline approaching
Awards season is around the corner, with the deadline approaching for major honors that will be presented during KSBA’s annual conference, Feb. 3-5.
The nomination deadline is Nov. 15 for:
•The F.L. Dupree Award for outstanding superintendent, judged by a panel of past recipients.
•The Warren Proudfoot Award honoring a current or former local school board member for distinguished leadership and community service, judged and presented by the Kentucky PTA.
•The Friend of Education Award recognizing contributions to local school districts by both an organization and an individual.
•The Kids First Advocacy Awards, which honor advocacy on behalf of children by a state senator, state representative, school board member and superintendent. The awards to the legislators are presented during KSBA’s annual Advocacy Day at the Capitol.
Nominations for the Proudfoot Award should be sent to the Kentucky PTA at P.O. Box 654, Frankfort, 40602; all other nominations should be sent to KSBA at 260 Democrat Dr., Frankfort, 40601. Nomination guidelines and entry forms will be posted on KSBA’s website, http://www.ksba.org/or call 1-800-372-2962.
Blue note
Five Kentucky public schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. They were among the 305 public and private elementary, middle and high schools nationwide that received the honor, because they are either high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels, especially among disadvantaged students. The Kentucky honorees are:
• Gamaliel Elementary School in Monroe County
• North Middletown Elementary School in Bourbon County
• Southside Elementary School in Pike County
• W.R. McNeill Elementary School in Bowling Green Independent
• Woodfill Elementary School in Fort Thomas Independent
The federal education department will honor all the National Blue Ribbon School winners at a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.