Kentucky School Advocate
February 2023

Wilson wins MLK Award        
Somerset Independent Schools board member and KSBA Board of Director member Elaine Wilson received the City of Somerset’s Martin Luther King Jr. Acts of Service Award for serving on the front line to help those in society who have the greatest need.

Wilson, Somerset Community College director of Cultural Diversity, has been instrumental in organizing events in Somerset to honor King. Each year, Wilson helps plan the college’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast and Community Celebration, bringing speakers to share inspiration and insight.

Wilson’s son David presented her with the award during the city’s MLK Unity Walk celebration. The award celebrates Somerset residents who are making a difference. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve and will graduate in May with a doctorate in social work.

Wilson has volunteered for Hospice, the United Way, Beacon House, the American Heart Association, the International Rotary Club, the Kentucky League of Cities, the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence, her church, the UK Alumni Association (the first African-American president), and the UK Board of Trustees.

Wilson pointed to the people before her who had the courage to take a stand.

“… People can now do things that were started because of people like Dr. King, and that has meant so much to me and to people I know, and to people I don’t know,” she said. “We all now have an opportunity to do things just because somebody ahead of us had the courage to step up and do what was right and to make sure it was good for everybody.”

eMeeting a cost- and time-saving tool for school councils
Just like local school boards, Kentucky’s school-based decision making councils are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act. Time spent managing and printing meeting documents can be costly.Currently, 117 school boards and 41 school councils rely on KSBA’s eMeeting service to help manage meeting materials and participation, saving considerable staff time and printing costs. Some districts have purchased the service (and accompanying training) for all their councils and board, taking advantage of KSBA’s price packaging. To learn how much your district can save by moving to secure paperless meetings, and to request a demo, district/school administrators may contact KSBA’s Director of Policy and eMeeting Services Katrina Kinman at 1-800-372-2962 or [email protected].

Policy Service turns 40
This year, KSBA’s Policy Service celebrates 40 years. The association first began partnering with districts on their board policy updates in spring of 1983. Today, 170 of Kentucky’s 171 districts use KSBA’s service to ensure legal compliance and best practice. During this anniversary year, KSBA will be honoring the history and success of our policy experts and reflecting on important milestones along the way.