Kentucky School Advocate
April 2023

Staff report

The Kentucky Board of Education voted at its February meeting to remove Breathitt County Schools from state assistance.

The district became state-managed in 2012, with the authority of the local board and the local superintendent residing with the commissioner of education. The board and the superintendent regained its authority in 2019 when the district moved to state assistance.

“I would just like to take a moment to recognize superintendent Phillip Watts, the local board of education, the teachers, the faculty and staff, students and community members,” said Kentucky Department of Education Associate Commissioner Kelly Foster. “The culture of that entire district has changed.”

Foster noted that the board had passed a nickel tax which allowed the district to move to a 7-12 high school and allowed the district to build a new K-2 facility.

“Superintendent Watts has created a culture of learning and it’s very much student-first across the district. I'm just really excited for this day,” he said.

Watts thanked KDE and KBE for their support.

“I’m very proud of our local board of education, very proud of all of our parents, community, staff, students. I’m very thankful to be here today,” he said.