Process begins
The screening committee of the KSBA Board of Directors was to begin receiving applications on Dec. 1 from candidates interested in becoming the association’s next executive director.
At its Nov. 3 meeting, the panel adopted a timetable that calls for applications for the top job at KSBA to be accepted through Jan. 11. The first round of interviews will be in February and early March, with interviews of all finalists slated by late March. The plan calls for the full board of directors to make a selection before the end of that month. The new hire, who will be the association’s fifth executive director in its 77-year history, would begin work on or before July 1. Current KSBA Executive Director Bill Scott will retire June 20, 2013 after nine years in the job.
The screening committee is using KSBA’s superintendent search service manager, Mike Oder, to facilitate the process. In preparing a job description, the panel also has gathered input from many of the association’s education partners.
Expertise used in bus tragedy
As Kentucky State Police investigate the bus accident that took the lives of two Carroll County Head Start students, they are being aided by an expert with nearly 25 years in forensic inspections of vehicles – a Kentucky school board member.
Scott Burrows, a Trimble County board member and owner of a heavy-duty truck repair, towing and recovery business, is assisting KSP in evaluating possible mechanical issues related to the accident.
“Motor vehicle accidents are caused by factors such as weather, road hazards and driver mistakes,” Burrows said, “but they are also caused by mechanical failures, and this is where my knowledge of automobiles and trucks comes into play.”
Burrows has been a member of the Trimble County board since 2007 and is a regional chairperson on the KSBA Board of Directors.
Recognition readiness
For the 14th consecutive year, KSBA and Kentucky school districts will mark January as School Board Recognition Month. According to the National School Boards Association, 15 other states also honor school boards and their members during January. As part of its observation, KSBA will again create a custom 12-month calendar with information about the association, key dates and deadlines for school boards, and statewide events throughout 2013. The calendars should arrive by mail to board members before the end of December. KSBA also is seeking photos of January 2013 local celebrations of board member service. Email those pictures to Brad Hughes at[email protected].
Demonstrating competence
KSBA Board Team Development specialist Jean Crowley took part in a panel discussion during the Oct. 30 Statewide Summit on Competency-Based Education. Crowley, Fayette County Schools Superintendent Tom Shelton and state Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) talked about the tough issues in moving to competency-based credits.
The summit was sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education and the National Governors Association. The state is exploring competency-based education as a way to better prepare students for success in college and careers. The method focuses on students mastering specific skills or standards rather than completing course work over a specific period of time.