Kentucky School Advocate
June 2020
Summer Leadership Institute moving online The Kentucky School Boards Association’s 2020 Summer Leadership Institute will be hosted virtually on July 10-11. Attendees can participate from the comfort of their homes and offices while earning board training hours and being inspired by one of the most impressive keynote speaker lineups in KSBA’s history. The two keynote speakers will be Jim “The Rookie” Morris and Erin Gruwell.
In 1999, Morris (left) was a 35-year-old high school teacher. Three months later, he was a flame-throwing major league pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The feel-good 2002 movie “The Rookie” starring Dennis Quaid chronicled Morris’ meteoric rise. Morris’ story has become a platform to give back, inspire and encourage people of all backgrounds and ages to pursue their dreams and never give up.
Gruwell (right) has spent her career in education fighting for equality. As an English teacher, Gruwell used an educational philosophy that valued and promoted diversity, helping to transform the lives of her students. She encouraged them, many of whom were labeled “unteachable,” to re-chart their futures. Her students – including popular former KSBA Keynote Speaker Manny Scott – began recording their thoughts and feelings, dubbing themselves the “Freedom Writers.” Their compilation of stories entitled the “The Freedom Writers Diary” later became a New York Times bestselling book and inspired the movie “Freedom Writers” starring Hillary Swank.
The institute will also include two breakout sessions for a total of 5.5 credit hours. For more information and easy online registration, visit KSBA.org.
Marion County board member appointed judge 
Gov. Andy Beshear has appointed Marion County school board member Kaelin Reed (left) as the circuit judge for Kentucky’s 11th Judicial Circuit.
After the appointment, Reed notified Superintendent Taylora Schlosser that he would resign from the board on May 26, the same day he was sworn in as judge. Reed, a Lebanon attorney, has served in the District 2 seat since November 2014.
In his resignation letter, Reed wrote that serving on the school board was “a great honor.”
“I wish you and the board well in all of your future endeavors,” Reed wrote. “You will always find me to be a friend and advocate for public education.”
The board will now begin the process of appointing someone to fill Reed’s seat until the November’s election.
GRREC chooses new executive director
Bart Flener (right), Russellville Independent Schools superintendent, has been chosen as executive director of the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC).
“I am both humbled and honored to have been chosen to be the lead learner of this wonderful educational cooperative organization,” Flener said in a letter to GRREC members. “I believe in the mission and values of GRREC and I will strive to offer steady and innovative leadership as the organization continues to provide optimal services, collaborative networks and projects to its 47-member public school districts.”
In addition to his three years leading Russellville Independent, Flener has served as assistant superintendent at Murray Independent Schools and assistant principal in Jessamine County.
Flener, who replaces Tim Murley who retired in December, will begin his new role July 1.
GRREC serves as the educational cooperative for 47 school districts which range in size from 500 students to more than 17,000.