“We have to stay competitive. We compete with districts all around us, and some of them pay a lot more than we do. We have to find a way within our budget to increase our pay.” – Franklin Co. Superintendent Mark Kopp (right), on the district’s move to increase the number of paid holidays for all employees as a recruitment and retention tool, from the Frankfort State Journal
“With the internet and technology, textbooks are not the main thing they use anymore. That’s out there as well. Students will just have to be more strategic in what they bring and what they take home.” – Marshall Co. Superintendent Trent Lovett, on the safety-driven backpack ban that will take effect next school year at the middle and high schools, from WPSD-TV, Paducah
“We are already thinking there could be some problems.” – Franklin County Clerk Jeff Hancock, as he awaited clarification in July from the state on what to do if a high school transcript, now required by law, is unavailable for a school board candidate who wants file for that office. From the Frankfort State Journal
“It’s been a lot of fun. Sometimes it’s a lot of late nights and a lot of heartache from seeing what kids have at home and the things that they go through … but it’s a lot of joy, too, to see them graduate.” – Warren Co. school board member Don Basham, announcing he’ll step down in August after 14 years, from the Bowling Green Daily News
“It’s easier to find a dinosaur walking down Dixie (Highway).” – Hardin Co. Schools Human Resources Director Chris Bauer, on the difficulty in finding middle and high school teachers in certain subject areas, from the Elizabethtown News-Enterprise
“Just because somebody is physically present doing something and maybe even having to think a little bit, is it really high-level thinking? We see students all the time who do what we ask them to do, but they aren’t really being made to think.” – Daviess Co. Schools technology integration specialist Aaron Yeiser, on why teachers need a better understanding of how to use technology in teaching, from the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer
“We need to get away from ‘if the butt’s not in the seat, they’re not in school’ thought.” – Corbin Independent board Chair Kim Croley, discussing ideas for virtual learning for students with extended absences, from the Corbin Times Tribune
“Today’s ruling from Judge Shepherd was expected in light of his inherent conflict in deciding the validity of SB 151, and an appeal from our legal team is imminent. If all of these bills are now invalidated based on Judge Shepherd’s ruling, our legal system will descend into chaos.” – Elizabeth Kuhn, spokeswoman for Gov. Matt Bevin, on what she believes are the consequences of a circuit court ruling striking down the state’s pension reform law, from the Louisville Courier Journal
“There was only one bill that was challenged here, SB 151. Nothing else was being challenged, nothing else is being impacted. The governor’s claims that Western civilization would end or that this would void every single bill passed by the General Assembly are simply not true.” – Attorney General Andy Beshear, dismissing dire predictions about the effect of the ruling striking down the pension reform law, from the Lexington Herald Leader
“If the parents aren’t taking an active role in their children’s schools now, why in the world would we expect them to research private schools and apply for admission and scholarships and then drive the kids to school.” – Op-ed by Louisville Courier Journal columnist Joseph Gerth, pointing out the disconnect between the real world and proposals for tax credits and vouchers for private schools
“The school system, county and city governments agree we should have a greater presence within the schools, so we challenged our law enforcement leadership to work with the school system to come up with an idea that would make a meaningful impact beyond what we do today.” – Georgetown Mayor Tom Prather, on an agreement by local governments to fund part-time retired law enforcement officers for SRO duty at Scott County schools, from the Georgetown News-Graphic
“Every once in a while, there’s something so important it’s worth paying extra for. We think it’s appropriate to stand up today for school safety.” – Lexington business community representative Bill Lear, on Fayette County Schools’ proposed $13.5 million school safety initiative, which will require a recallable increase in the system’s property tax, from the Lexington Herald Leader