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People Are Talking

Kentucky School Advocate

June 2018

“The community gets behind sports; why should this be different . . . the community got behind them when they saw the drive and the compassion and the commitment of the kids. I hope it’s a ripple effect and more and more kids want to have that kind of drive.” – Ashland Independent Middle School teacher Mike Polley, on why it was fitting for the community to have a parade for students at his school who were among the three winners nationwide in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition, from the Ashland Daily Independent (Photo courtesy of Samsung)

“It’s not something we want to do, but the amount of money is monumental.” – Montgomery County school board member (and former superintendent) Daniel Freeman, on the decision by his board to reduce the district’s preschool program to a half-day to save money due to rising costs and funding cuts, from the Mt. Sterling Advocate

“It’s just like if you asked me to pick between my kids. I love all three of them.” – Washington County Superintendent Robin Cochran, on having to decide which position to recommend cutting to make up for a deficit; a college and career ready job was chosen, from the Springfield Sun

Photo courtesy of Owensboro Independent Schools

“The students have done a good job of working with us in a positive way. Students want to be heard on all issues. It’s important to listen to their concerns and try to find a balance where we can work with them.” – Owensboro Ind. High School Principal John DeLacey, on substituting a voter registration drive (pictured at left) for a walkout to protest school gun violence, from the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer (Photo courtesy of Owensboro Independent Schools)

“When things get turbulent in Frankfort, our folks in education get very antsy.” – Dawson Springs Ind. Superintendent Leonard Whalen, on a factor in many of the district’s 10 retirements this year, from the Madisonville Messenger

“I’m sad to say that it took me until this week to understand what this board represents. It represents government at its best.” – Jefferson County Schools parent Rob Mattheu, among the district supporters turning out at a school board meeting to rally against a state takeover of the district, from the Louisville Courier Journal

“The public needs to have a voice. And the public’s voice is through their elected school board members. I think if we lose that public voice, it’s to the detriment of kids.” – Jefferson County school board Vice Chair Lisa Willner, on the recommended state management of her district and related downgrading of the school board to advisory status, from the Louisville Courier Journal

“So he has loaded it up with charter school proponents, that’s what he has done.” – State Rep. Kelly Flood (right), on the newly constituted state school board appointed by Gov. Matt Bevin, from the Lexington Herald-Leader

“But this battle isn’t just about teachers and professors; it is about Kentucky’s future. It is about the state’s quality of life, its prosperity and its ability to compete and succeed in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy.” – Columnist Tom Eblen, taking the big-picture view of the fight to defend public education against funding cuts and other moves to make the field less attractive to educators, from the Lexington Herald Leader

“Our superintendents are a close group. Dennis is our neighbor. When this happened, I told him, if you need anything, let me know.” – Dayton Ind. Superintendent Jay Brewer, talking about Silver Grove Independent Superintendent Dennis Maines after the two districts agreed to share Dayton’s finance department when Silver Grove’s now-former finance director was arrested for alleged embezzlement, from the Covington River City News

Union County High School Principal Evan Jackson

“Students have admitted while they weren’t really pleased with the change and may still not be pleased with the change, they have found that they seem to be able to pay more attention and be more productive now.” – Union County High School Principal Evan Jackson (left), on the school’s new restrictions on student cellphone use, from the Union County Advocate of Morganfield

“Every meeting we hear, deficits, deficits, but raising the property tax is not equal. The utility tax spreads the tax to renters as well as property owners.” – Greenup Co. school board Chairwoman Mary Kay McGinnis-Ruark, on the benefits of the district’s proposed utility tax, from the Ashland Daily Independent

“Because we don’t have a lot of industry or a large tax base, if it weren’t for the community, we wouldn’t be able to do things. We just want to give back to them, because they do so much for us and they’re so supportive. People who don’t have kids here, come to our ball games and events, and they’re always supporting the children.” – Dawson Springs Independent teacher Kati Griffin, on why students volunteer for the annual Spruce Up Dawson Springs clean-up campaign, from the Madisonville Messenger

State Board of Education Chairman Milton Seymore

“As you look at the scores all around the state, the children, there hasn’t been the type of movement that as a board we would like to see happen with all of our children in our metropolitan areas, and not just in our metropolitan areas but all over the state itself.” – State Board of Education Chairman Milton Seymore (right), on the board’s decision to let Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt go, from WDRB-TV in Louisville

Former Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt

“What I will do is always stand for public education wherever I am, whether I’m commissioner or not. And I will always make a point to remember it’s about our children and our educators.” – Former Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt, to supporters and reporters just prior to his resignation, from the Louisville Courier Journal