“The value of a person has nothing to do with their position but the degree of their willingness to serve this organization. I want us to approach everything we do with a servant’s heart, and these people really live it. They serve us, serve children and serve the community in the best way possible way. There is no ‘thank you’ big enough.” Daviess County Schools Superintendent Owens Saylor on why district central office staff ( Pictured: David Humphrey, director of maintenance, working in the cafeteria at Deer Park Elementary School) spent time doing the work of custodial, maintenance and food services staff in unique observations of national School Bus Safety and School Lunch weeks. From the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.
“The laboratory will teach students how to calculate feed conversions, water quality, chemical analysis and animal husbandry as it relates to fish and other animals. With the help of this grant money, young people in these school districts will be given the opportunity to graduate with a greater understanding for the broad aspects of agriculture.” Tawnya Hunter, Calloway County Schools Senate Bill 1 implementation coordinator, on a $10,000 grant that will finance an aquaculture studies program. From the Murray Ledger & Times.
“I try to open the kids’ eyes to the other 98 percent.” Campbell County High School agriculture teacher O.P. McCubbins on how his program focuses on the nonfarming aspects of careers in agriculture. From the Fort Mitchell Campbell Community Press and Recorder.
“It’s a protection if you act in reasonably good faith a person cannot collect damages from you. It protects public monies from claims because it comes from taxpayers’ money.” Somerset attorney Winter Huff on a judge’s dismissal of the Casey County Board of Education from a lawsuit under the state’s sovereign immunity law. From the Liberty Casey County News.
“Imagine that the public represents the sponsors; the students represent the victory; the superintendent represents the driver; the school board represents the pit crew and the teachers and administrators represent the engineers, engine builders, fabricators, etc; the parents represent the fans. If any ‘one’ of the persons serving in those roles fail, then the whole team fails. For example, the teachers and administrators together build the concept of an appropriate curriculum. The board sets policy and makes changes in policy to accommodate the curriculum and the district goals. The superintendent implements the curriculum and the policies of the board. Once the race is under way, adjustments have to be made by the school board and the superintendent. Data is utilized and careful adjustments are made to effect the outcome. At the end of the race, a victory in this instance would represent the happiness of the sponsors (public) and the fans (parents). Most importantly, the students would represent the victory and celebrate in being college and career ready.” NSBA President and Boone County board member Ed Massey, a huge NASCAR fan, in an op-ed article on the teamwork needed for school success. From the Bethesda, Md. Education Week.
“What’s so good about that is that the 2010 issue, the federal government is paying 35 percent of the interest obligation for the district. The 2011 issue, the federal government is paying 100 percent of the interest obligation for the district. If you look at this schedule, the federal portion of interest throughout the life of the loan is almost $12 million; this is free money that is going to be kicked in by the federal government for the construction of those two schools. So you could not have done it at a better time for supplements such as this to kick in.” Auditor Jeff Sprowles to the Metcalfe County school board on how federal financing has benefited replacement of two old schools. From the Glasgow Daily Times.
“Another piece of the feasibility study will be a cost analysis. That would be everything from the cost of programming to the outside professionals who come in to provide services, and even the teaching staff. Even though this school would be to enhance the students’ interest and skills in the fine arts, we have to make sure they’re also going to be on track to be college and career ready in science and math and social studies.” McCracken County Schools Assistant Superintendent Heath Cartwright on some of the factors under study for possible creation of a school with a focus on fine arts. From the Paducah Sun.
“Once the word gets out that they’re there or used to solve an investigation, the kids know they really work.” Bullitt County Schools Safety Coordinator Jamie Goldsmith on the district’s plans to outfit all of its buses with a two-camera recording system to deal with student incidents on the daily rides. From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
“You’ve got to ask. If you want to do something, you’ve got to ask. There are going to be situations because of the way (a school law) is written or how we think through this, that we’ll have to say, ‘That’s not what we’re talking about.’ But don’t think that way. If you think it’s something that’s important to kids, ask.” David Cook, director of innovation and partner engagement for the Kentucky Department of Education, encouraging local leaders to “be bold” in submitting proposals to earn District of Innovation status. From the Frankfort KSBA eNews Service.