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People Are Talking

Kentucky School Advocate

September 2018

“When we go to our conference, every county in Kentucky and across the nation is looking for drivers. Everybody’s always looking for a way to hire bus drivers and a way to retain them.” – Todd County Schools Transportation Coordinator Reda Reinhart, on the universal shortage of school bus drivers, from the Kentucky New Era of Hopkinsville

“I haven’t heard the first mention of anything political ... or some outside force that would direct this independent board. I am here because of my individual passion for education.” – Hal Heiner, following his election as chairman of the Kentucky Board of Education, from the Lexington Herald-Leader

“So, essentially, we are setting our own minimum wage.” – Floyd County Schools Finance Director Matt Wireman, describing the district’s move, approved by the school board, to raise to $10 per hour the starting salary of any classified worker making less than that. The plan also includes longevity increases. From the Floyd County Chronicle of Prestonsburg

“We see this role as a school resource officer being not simply policing, but really a program builder; someone who understands the needs in our schools and how we can integrate some opportunities for students to learn and grow and be a part of our community proactively.” – Nelson Co. Superintendent Wes Bradley, on reinstating and retooling the district’s school resource officer position, from the Kentucky Standard of Bardstown

“When you hear politicians talk about wanting to arm teachers, that’s crazy. That’s ridiculous. This is the way to go. This is the correct approach. Anyone who tells you that they are for arming teachers in our buildings does not have our teachers or our students in their best interests.” – Marion County school board Vice Chairman Kaelin Reed, on the decision to expand the district’s school resource officer program. From the Lebanon Enterprise

“I don’t think at the federal level there’s much that we can do other than appropriate funds.” – U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, to a group of Danville community leaders during a discussion on school safety, from the Lexington Herald-Leader

“It’s not a school decision, and it’s really not a decision by the police department. It’s a decision out of necessity. We’ve just got no one left.” – Danville Police officer Chase Broach, on the lack of manpower forcing the agency to discontinue his school resource officer position. The Boyle County Sheriff’s Department later stepped in to help. From the Danville Advocate Messenger

“What we know now is that business and education have to come together in ways they never have before. We’re in a place we’ve never been, and we’re not going to go back to where we’ve come.” – Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Workforce Center Executive Director Beth Davisson, speaking to the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce about new talent pipeline management academies the center is setting up statewide. From the Frankfort State Journal

“What sets this apart are the policy changes to long-standing law without the benefit of public discussion. ... Citizen voice is important in the decision-making for our state and the executive order clearly begins to scale back representation by citizens on these various bodies.” – Prichard Committee on Academic Excellence Executive Director Brigitte Ramsey, on Gov. Matt Bevin’s executive order reorganizing the state’s various education boards. From the Louisville Courier Journal

“It’s not that we don’t appreciate our volunteers. They are worth every red cent. We had to make some fiscal decisions.” – Hardin County Schools spokesman John Wright, on the school board’s decision to charge newer volunteers $10 apiece for their background checks, a cost previously picked up by the district, from the Elizabethtown News-Enterprise

“Why do they make us approve it if it is mandated?” – Hancock County school board member Donna Quattrocchi, as the board voted to approve a school lunch price increase dictated by federal regulations, or risk losing reimbursement, from the Hawesville Hancock Clarion

“I’m glad to see that, because I’ll be honest with you, that during lunch and all that other free time is when you can have a lot of bullying and harassment and different things like that. I think it’s smart if you’re going to do it, do it for the day.” – Corbin Independent school board member Carcille Burchette, on the new cellphone policy allowing students to carry their phones but requiring the devices to be powered down at all times during the school day. From the Corbin Times Tribune

“The school district is paying the burden of the city. We’re taking a big hit in supporting the financial needs of the city.” – Raceland-Worthington High School teacher Zenaida Smith, on the city of Raceland’s proposed doubling of its payroll tax, from the Ashland Daily Independent

“Does it hurt, does it pinch, does it squeeze? Absolutely. (But) we will be doing exactly what’s best for our kids and fulfilling the charge we are given.” – Fayette County school board Chairwoman Melissa Bacon, as the board approved a property tax increase to fund a multimillion safety initiative. The move triggered a recall petition effort. From the Lexington Herald-Leader

“Kids coming back to teach is so important. We have currently 14 that graduated from Crittenden County who have come back to teach and be involved in students’ lives. That’s something else.” – Crittenden County school board member Eric LaRue, on the hiring of a graduate to teach in the district – a mixed blessing since the new teacher is the daughter of 10-year board member Pam Collins, who resigned so her daughter could take the position. From the Crittenden Press in Marion

“By no means are we downplaying home school; however, we are saying that we currently have viable options that we may not have had in the past.” – Fleming County Schools Chief Academic Officer Michelle Hunt, on the district’s move to reach out to homeschooling parents to promote its Virtual Academy program campaign as a way of getting their children back into the school system. From the Maysville Ledger Independent

“Too much can be smuggled in and out of the classroom with backpacks. Some of the biggest issues we had last year dealt with backpacks.” – Allen County-Scottsville High School Principal Scott Cosby, on the new policy requiring students to put purses, backpacks and bag in their lockers for the duration of the school day for safety reasons. From the Scottsville Citizen Times