Kentucky School Advocate

February 2025

By Karen Byrd

KSBA President

I’ve always been fascinated by roller coasters. As a 4th grader, I remember riding one with my daredevil Uncle Harry. I was hooked. And, with Uncle Harry by my side, there was nothing I would not ride. He liked the back of the coaster for its whips and turns while I had an affinity for the front to see the drops and feel the rush of wind.   

Living in northern Kentucky, we are close to Kings Island, home to “The Beast.” The Beast, which premiered in 1979, was acclaimed as the ultimate roller coaster in America. Covering 35 acres, it is still listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the longest wooden roller coaster in the world at 7,361 feet. Per the park’s website, the ride is more than four minutes long – it seems longer than that and over in a flash at the same time. Two vertical drops: one at 137 feet with a 53-degree angle dropping you into a 125-foot tunnel and one at 141 feet at an 18-degree angle. The 125-foot-long tunnel starts you off on the whirlwind ride that also includes eight banked turns, some of which are 45 degrees. But my favorite part of the ride? When you slow down toward the end before hurtling through a 540-degree helix tunnel, speeds up to 65 mph flying up a short incline to, hopefully, stop at the end. At the stop, you are laughing, exhilarated and ready to hop on again. I’ve sat in the back to honor Uncle Harry; I’ve sat in the middle for a smoother ride when my sons were first tall enough to ride. But now, I’ll wait the extra minutes to sit in the front with my hands in the air as excited as I was in the 4th grade.

Now that you know I love coasters and The Beast is my favorite, you wonder what this has to do with KSBA? The ride is the perfect analogy for the last four years – my term as president-elect and more importantly, as your KSBA president. President-elect is the first 137-foot drop, gets you rolling into a tunnel focused on learning what it means to be an officer. Rotate in as president, you are going through the banks, turns, ups and downs praying to lead in the right direction. You are on the track supporting public education students across Kentucky for KSBA as the train keeps moving at breakneck speed. Then, when you think you are slowing down moving toward the latter part of your president’s term, you get thrown into that helix tunnel of 2024 called Amendment 2. Coming successfully out of that helix, the train is slowing down as it comes up the short incline toward Annual Conference where I’ll preside over my last business meeting, present the selection committee report and hand the gavel over to President-elect Pamela Morehead.  

Serving as KSBA president has been a tremendous honor filled with challenges and blessings. The best part of the ride is the train full of amazing people that have been with me: directors and officers, KSBA staff and you. I’ve had the privilege to travel across Kentucky meeting school board members who are exceptional no matter where they live or the district they serve. They are passionate about their students and staff, and it shows in their commitment to their communities’ children. But rest assured, as I move toward the end of this ride, I will jump out exhilarated, hop on again in a different seat and be ready to serve KSBA’s mission of supporting public education school boards. Come join us! You’ll enjoy the ride!