Kentucky School Advocate
June 2022
Glasgow superintendent to retire
Glasgow Ind. Superintendent Keith Hale announced May 10 that he would be retiring at the end of the school year. Hale who had been superintendent for six years received a contract extension until 2024 earlier this year.
Board member William Thornbury expressed gratitude for Hale’s leadership.
“Hale is walking out at the summit of Glasgow’s academic excellence,” he said according to WCLU Radio. “His accomplishments speak for themselves and I am very pleased that he devoted his career to us. We greatly appreciate all he has done for us and I hope he can enjoy the retirement he well earned.”
Hale did not elaborate on his plans but had high praise for the district and the board.
“I appreciate the board’s support and their evaluation of me,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to be able to work for Glasgow Independent Schools. I tell everybody, you can’t be more blessed to send your kids here but I actually had the opportunity to work here. I just appreciate everybody.”
Stafford, Prichard honored
The Northern Kentucky Education Council honored outgoing Owen Co. Superintendent Rob Stafford and former Beechwood Ind. board member Robert Prichard with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Stafford has held several building and district-level positions over the course of his 30-year career. He served as Owen Co. superintendent for 10 years. He is also an adjunct teacher at Georgetown College, has served on numerous education, community and health services boards, is a founding superintendent and current chair of iLEAD Academy and is a founding member and current president of the Kentucky Rural Education Association.
Prichard, executive vice president and chief clinical integration officer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, has served on the NKYEC Board for six years, is a board member of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and the UK College of Medicine Alumni Association. He has also served as a school-based decision making council member.
Chamber hosts civics bee
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation hosted its inaugural Kentucky Civics Bee May 14 during which 10 Kentucky middle school finalists competed for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000.
Kentucky was one of six states selected to host the bees which were part of the National Civics Bee as promoted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The National Civics Bee is designed to encourage young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
“The Kentucky Chamber is proud to be taking steps to get more young people engaged in issues that are important to all of us,” said Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber. “It is our goal to encourage the next generation to get involved in their communities and have an appreciation for our roles, rights and responsibilities.”
During the competition, participants competed in front of a panel of judges during a live event.
The judges included Michael G. Adams, Kentucky secretary of state, Eric Kennedy, director of Advocacy at Kentucky School Boards Association, LaKisha Miller, executive director of the Workforce Center at the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, and Kim Sweazy, analyst of corporate communications for Community Relations at Toyota Motor North America.
Lucas Campbell from Simons Middle School in Fleming Co. was named the winner, with Jiwoo Kim from Model Laboratory School in Madison Co. placing second, and Charleston Girdler from Somerset Christian School in Pulaski Co. placing third.