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People Are Talking

Kentucky School Advocate

January 2019

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Department of Education

“We don’t teach for awards and recognition, we do it for our students. So to be honored in this way is very special and a blessing.” – Kerri Stanfield, Mason County middle school teacher, on being one of 51 teachers in the country to win $10,000
as part of the Sandford Teacher Award, which is given to teachers for inspiring other teachers. From The Ledger Independent, Maysville (Photo at right courtesy of Kentucky Department of Education)

“We have to take this whole child approach. We can’t just expect kids to come into school buildings and only focus on one aspect of development. As educators, we have to focus on multiple facets of development.” – Allison Nelson, Clark County Schools school psychologist, on the need for more psychologists in Kentucky schools. From the Winchester Sun

“We have to be vigilant that the state follows any changes in graduation requirements with adequate resources.” – John B. King (left), former U.S. education secretary, on the proposed changes to Kentucky’s minimum graduation requirements. From the Louisville Courier Journal

“The idea is to generate some excitement, use the slide in a (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) fashion, where there are rewards and incentives that the students would work toward in order to be able to use the slide.” – John Stith, Hardin County Schools chief operations officer, on an indoor slide that could be part of the district’s new Lincoln Trail Elementary slated to open in 2020. From The News-Enterprise, Elizabethtown

“Ignorance isn’t an excuse for hatred. ... If someone is threatening you or hating you for the color of your skin, that is not OK.” – Koeberle Bull, New Jersey mother of three, as she was honored by Anderson County and Gov. Matt Bevin for alerting authorities after an Anderson County man harassed her on Facebook. Police later caught the man with a gun, more than 200 rounds of ammunition and a detailed plan of attack against schools in Anderson and Shelby counties. From the Lexington Herald-Leader (Photo at right courtesy of the Governor’s office)

“Unfortunately, we've just become out of balance with certain schools, and we have to move certain populations. So not everybody's going to be happy, but all of our schools are fantastic schools.” – Lori McDowell, director of communications for Oldham County Schools, on the district’s plan to redistrict 160 elementary students because of overcrowding. From WDRB-TV Louisville

“I’m excited. We might get one, we might get someone to bid on all of them. Let’s see what happens.” – Tom Bell (left), Christian County school board member, on the board’s vote to accept bids for corporate sponsorship of the district’s football stadium, soccer complex, swimming pool and high school gym. From the Kentucky New Era

“The need is very dire. If we don’t increase revenue, I don’t see a future there. I can’t see us existing.” – Doug Campbell, Fairview Independent board chairman, on the district’s plan to enact a nickel tax. The board voted unanimously for the recallable tax to fund operations and pay down debt. From the Ashland Daily Independent

“This is a little more difficult than I thought it would be.” – Andy Dotson (right), Harrison County superintendent, before announcing his retirement at a recent school board meeting. Dotson has led the district for 10 years. From the Cynthiana Democrat

“Some drivers are not paying attention to those warning lights, the crossing control arms and the stop signs on the buses. It is important that drivers understand that they are breaking the law, but, more importantly, they are endangering lives when they pass a stopped school bus.” – Guy Griffin, Rowan County transportation compliance coordinator, after several fatal accidents across the country involving motorists disregarding school bus stop arms. From The Morehead News

“We’ve grown quickly, which is wonderful but we’ve grown quickly, which is expensive.” – Keith Coleman (left), Fleming County High School band director, on raising money to support the band which has expanded from 17 students three years ago to 97 students this year. From The Ledger Independent, Maysville