Kentucky School Advocate

November 2024

By Karen Byrd

KSBA President

With Election Day finally behind us, I wish to extend my deep gratitude to KSBA members whose board service will be coming to an end at the close of the calendar year. Whether you are a school board member who chose not to seek reelection this time around, or if the decision was made for you at the ballot box, please know you have contributed directly to the educational success and wellbeing of your local students. You should be commended for your significant investments of time and expertise, and for shouldering important decisions on behalf of the communities you were elected and/or appointed to serve. 

I am confident that after your term ends, you will continue to take an active interest in the success of your local schools. Public education advocacy is a lifelong commitment, and there are ample opportunities for you to remain involved and engaged! Here are just a few ways you can support your local schools:

• Continue to reach out to your legislators in support of legislation that will strengthen local decision making and ensure adequate education funding, among other things. From your experience on the board, you have insights on how bills might impact your local schools. 

• Attend school board meetings. Now that you are on the other side of the table, aspire to be that engaged citizen you always liked to see by attending board meetings. Encourage others to do the same and, while you’re at it, set an example of civility.

• Think about what (and who) inspired you to run for your school board. In your community, there are folks just like you with the time, talent and passion to serve on the board. Keep your eyes and ears open for someone who may just need a little nudge in the right direction. Mentor them. Explain the pros and cons. Help them understand what the role entails. Consider it your own little “grow your own” civic leadership program. 

• Stay informed on the pressing issues facing public schools. That’s where KSBA can help.

Fortunately, KSBA offers several opportunities for you to keep yourself informed on education issues and connected with the association. 

Come January, you can consider yourself a proud alumnus of the association. But to make the most of this opportunity, we need to hear from you. Before your term wraps, let KSBA know that you wish to stay engaged with us. The association will be sending an email survey to all those rolling off their local boards, asking you to provide us with updated contact information and to formally “opt in” to receiving KSBA alumni communications. 

Many school board members currently receive KSBA updates through their district-issued email addresses. Keep in mind that those addresses will likely be deactivated upon completion of your term, so it will be important for KSBA to collect your preferred email address, mailing address, etc.

Outgoing school board members can choose to receive many of our popular publications like the KSBA Aware e-newsletter, the monthly Kentucky School Advocate magazine and periodic email updates during legislative sessions. 

Again, thank you for all you have done (and all that you will continue to do) on behalf of the students in your district. We are forever grateful you answered the call to public service.