Malorie Cooper, Whitley County Schools
Kentucky School Advocate
December 2022
Q. You began serving on the Whitley County School Board in 2013. What made you want to serve?
A. My children were in elementary school when I started serving and I had already been involved on PTO, as a sports mom, on the Family Resource Center advisory board and as a school-based decision making council member. When longtime board member Bobby Terrell announced he was moving and would resign, we talked about what would be required and whether I would be a good fit. He was one of my high school teachers. He said he thought I would do great and encouraged me to run. I ran unopposed my first term.
Q. At the time, did you think it would be a long-term commitment?
A. I wanted to be involved in any way I could when my kids were in school but, since they have graduated, I’ve found I really have enjoyed my service. My favorite part of our meetings is when we recognize students, whether it's a sports team, an academic competition or kids that come and perform for us.
Q. You are associate director of financial aid for the University of the Cumberlands (UC). How does your work in higher education mesh with your role in K-12 education?
A. We have lots of opportunities at UC, and I reach out to local high schools to let them know about what is coming up on campus. They also reach out to us about things like FAFSA Night and we will go and help answer questions about these college financial aid forms. We also do dual enrollment here at UC and have students from Whitley and other counties who take dual enrolled classes so they earn credit for high school and college classes at the same time. We had an awesome experience last year when two of our high school seniors walked across the stage at UC with an associate’s degree before they graduated from high school.
Q. What are some things about board service that make you proud?
A. When I ran for reelection two years ago, I stressed in my ads that we have one of the lowest tax rates in the state. Setting tax rates isn’t to be taken lightly. We have been able to accomplish all we have accomplished and stay within our budget. Also, we have a lot of ground to cover, so we have a large bus fleet, buy new ones regularly and keep them maintained. Safety and reliable transportation are in the forefront.
Q. Your district is one of two that offers the new Option 9 program, which will help Whitley County students become certified teachers through UC. Tell us about that.
A. At Whitley County, one of our career and college-ready pathways is future educators. Our agreement for Option 9 students includes these requirements: they must have completed that pathway and have a recommendation from their teaching and learning instructor and principal. UC is the first university in Kentucky to offer Option 9. The program began in July and we currently have one student in it but are always looking for others. UC also has an Option 9 agreement with Lincoln County, and we would love for more school districts to reach out to us.
Q. What would you want people who aren’t familiar with Whitley County to know about your district?
A. It is a high performing district. Of three high schools in the county, Whitley County scored highest in ACT in the most recent tests.