Kentucky School Advocate
May 2023

Staff report

KSBA's 2023 “Learn and Earn” webinar series kicked off in April with a recap of the recent legislative session. The popular virtual training series, now in its fourth year, has offered school board members easy opportunities to earn state-mandated training.

While information is presented through the lens of board service, the wide range of topics has also attracted district and school-level administrators, attorneys and other education stakeholders. In fact, anyone is welcome to register for Learn and Earn webinars, and the timing is convenient for even the busiest of schedules. Sessions are noon – 1 p.m. (ET) on the second Wednesday of each month. Registration is required at a cost of $50 per session.

In the event that a registrant is unable to participate in the live webinar, they may still be able to earn credit by watching a recording after the fact and then applying for self-study credit. A recorded version of each webinar will be available to all registrants following the live event. KSBA has expedited the registration process, with the fee collected at registration with a debit or credit card. All Learn and Earn webinars count for one hour of school board training credit. View a complete webinar schedule and online registration options.

Upcoming webinar topics

May 10 – Who is caring for our students?
This session will explore the most common models districts are using to provide health services to their students (and staff) during the school day, including district employed, contractual and partnering health providers. While the opportunities are varied, the importance of this daily care has proven critical to maximize student achievement, attendance and healthy outcomes. Kentucky examples will be highlighted.

Presenters: Angela McDonald, nurse consultant, Kentucky Department of Education; Malia Jackson, RN, operations director, Bhavini Mody-High, nurse practitioner, COO, HealthFirst Bluegrass

June 14 – Be prepared: If your superintendent left, would you know how to fill the job?
At some point, most board members are faced with a superintendent vacancy. Hiring a district CEO is one of the most important roles of a school board, but it can be daunting to carry out. This session provides practical insight boards should know before filling the top job, including statutes and regulations, basic elements, timelines and considerations in undertaking a search, and developing a contract.

Presenter: Don Martin, field consultant, Superintendent Search Services, KSBA

July 12 – Senate Bill 9 (2022): The Read to Succeed Act’s implementation and initiatives
Senate Bill 9 (2022) has the potential to be transformative in the goal of all children being able to read well before exiting grade three. Called the Read to Succeed Act, this legislation is designed to employ evidence-based reading methods proven successful for struggling readers. This session will discuss the Kentucky Reading Academies, SB 9 implementation guidance and information about required assessments.

Presenter: Christie Biggerstaff, director of Early Literacy, Office of Teaching and Learning, Kentucky Department of Education

August 9 – KSBA’s eMeeting service: Its value to boards and SBDM councils
Good governance at the district and school levels is critical to success. This interactive session highlights how the use of KSBA’s eMeeting management tool and its related training are valuable to both school boards and school-based decision making councils as they conduct their important business on behalf of the schools they serve. Presenters will also address the effectiveness of eMeeting in avoiding Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act violations.