Kentucky School Advocate
April 2024
Christian County PIO wins KYSPRA Award
Christian County Public Schools Public Information Officer Johnna Brown has been awarded the OV Jones Memorial Award for outstanding service to KYSPRA and school public relations by KYSPRA.
The award, named for the late OV Jones, a former superintendent of Grant County Schools and the first superintendent to join KYSPRA, is the state’s top award for school public relations.
“I’m at a loss for words, which is rare for me,” Brown said. “KYSPRA has truly been a wonderful organization to be a part of throughout my career. I feel like I have found my people. Incredible people who care deeply about public education and sharing the stories of our students throughout the state.”
Brown has spent the last 12 years with Christian County Schools’ communications department, the last three as director.
Brown was nominated by Mary Mac Dyer, public relations coordinator for Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative.
“She continues to showcase constant leadership in our Western Kentucky region and her dedication to excellence, tireless work ethic and commitment to achieving results have set a standard of professionalism that inspires all of the School PR Directors in West Kentucky,” she said.
Owensboro Ind. PIO named KYSPRA Communicator of the Year
The Kentucky School Public Relations Association (KYSPRA) has named Jared Revlett, public information officer for Owensboro Independent Schools, the 2024 Kentucky School Communicator of the Year. The award was presented at the association’s Spring Conference.
“There is no question that this has been a challenging year not only for Owensboro Public Schools, but for public education as a whole and the School PR community has been very supportive throughout,” Revlett said. “The award may have been presented to me, but there were so many people that I bounced ideas off of and collaborated with on a number of different issues that it wouldn’t have been possible without their support.”
Revlett has served as PIO for Owensboro Ind. for the past six and a half years. He has served as KYSPRA president and was named the winner of the 2021 OV Jones Memorial Award.
Revlett was nominated by Leslie McCoy, director of communications for Bowling Green Independent Schools.
“Jared has led both Kentucky School Public Relations Association and Owensboro Public Schools through challenging times, and both are better because of his leadership,” McCoy said. “He continues to grow and develop his skills by participating in a wide variety of opportunities both in School PR and in his local community and he shares knowledge with others around him to build a strong network of professionals.”
KYSPRA will now submit Revlett’s nomination for the NSPRA School Communicator of the Year Award that will be presented at the National Seminar this summer in Seattle, Washington.
LSAC approves bus specifications
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Local Superintendents Advisory Council (LSAC) has approved proposed bus specifications for new purchases.
Elisa Hanley, pupil transportation branch manager at KDE, said a council of about 25 experts in the school transportation field – superintendents, inspectors, drivers, trainers and technicians – meets annually to discuss potential changes and issues they’re having with school buses.
This year, the panel recommended changes to bus specifications for new bus purchases, including:
• A battery shutoff switch to preserve batteries.
• Replacing all lights, including headlights, with LEDs.
• Illuminated school bus signs and stop signs for new buses.
• Heated crossview mirrors to help melt ice and snow in the winter.
• Change requirements for school bus driver seats to allow for more comfortable seats.
• Changes to air conditioner condenser requirements.
Several members had concerns about the potential costs to local school districts for additional items as well as the rising cost of school buses in general. Hanley said KDE is working to ensure schools save as much as possible.