People Are Talking

November 2018 

 

“It's an opportunity from a building perspective to bring our K-12 students in, bring our postsecondary partners in there at the same spot, our business and industry needs together and ensure that all of us are working in harmony to fulfill specific workforce needs that we have here locally in Paducah.” – Donald Shively, Paducah Independent superintendent, about the school board’s vote to award a $22 million contract to replace the Paducah Area Technology Center with an Innovation Hub to allow for programs that align with the area’s workforce needs. From the Paducah Sun (Photo courtesy of Paducah Independent Schools)

“We've had various students present; we've had teachers present. I think that's the best way for us to come across with any recommendations of what we're looking at is to take an all-encompassing approach of looking at this aspect." ­– Sen. Max Wise, Co-chairman of the state legislature’s School Safety Working Group, at the Barren County meeting. From WBKO-TV

“Students should be able to identify a problem and then have the skills and the wherewithal to create the solution. I really feel that begins with our social studies instruction in the classroom starting from kindergarten on.” ­– Tiffany Gruen (right), instructional coach and gifted and talented teacher at Erlanger-Elsmere Independent, who helped write the proposed Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies. From Kentucky Teacher, Kentucky Department of Education 

“Those who participate in the KSBA agreement are supporting their cause, so we can have a voice at the table to negotiate the rate for public schools.” ­– Eydie Tate, Hopkins County Schools director of finance, about the board vote to participate, in KSBA’s rate case with Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities. From The Messenger, Hopkinsville

“I don't think there is anything wrong with the schools we have now, so I think that to get them all at full capacity is the best solution.” – Rebecca Crowder, Oldham County Schools parent, about the district’s plan to redistrict its nine elementary schools. From WDRB-TV, Louisville

“The law requires kids to be at school, we should protect them.” ­– Vince Clark (right), Crittenden County superintendent, on hiring a school resource officer who is a retired Union County sheriff’s deputy and former Morganfield Police chief. From the Crittenden Press, Marion 

“I had just enough drivers today to run our buses. If anyone had called off, I’d have had to drive.” ­– Jack McCleese, Greenup County transportation director, about having to fill in because, like most districts, he cannot find enough bus drivers. From The Daily Independent, Ashland

“The ongoing working relationship between the Newport schools and the city of Newport continues to prove that ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’” ­– Ramona Malone, Newport Independent school board chairwoman, on the board’s support of the city using industrial revenue bonds to help finance a SkyWheel and the purchase of Newport on the Levee. Under the 
agreement the district will receive $6.75 million over 30 years. From the River City News, Covington. (Photo courtesy of River City News)

“They chose the compensating rate, which doesn’t generate the revenue we were requesting, but it shows they were listening to their community members, and I think that’s a powerful thing for a board of education to do.” ­– Mike LaFavers, Boyle County superintendent, on the board taking the compensating rate after nearly 500 people signed a petition against the rate to bring in 4 percent more revenue. From the Advocate Messenger, Danville

“This year, we’ve had to look at every project and every penny to try and have enough money to keep this school system solvent. We’ve been listed as one of the counties whose school system would be insolvent within the year if we didn’t make huge cuts.” – Susan Hayes, Christian County board member, on why the board voted to set the tax rate to generate 4 percent more revenue. From the Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville

“Melissa has done so much for the community over the past 12 years ... she will be missed. But I’m thankful that she took me under her wing and mentored me. I hope that this board can continue and that I can live up to the reputation that she established.” ­– Stephanie Spires (right), Fayette County Board member, who was voted chairwoman after former chairwoman Melissa Bacon resigned to care for her mother. From the Lexington Herald-Leader 

 

“My passion and my emphasis is on what he’s doing to education through the cuts.” ­– Mary June Brunker, Harrison County school board member and retired teacher, about Gov. Matt Bevin at a community forum in Cynthiana. From WKMS, radio