Kentucky School Advocate
August 2023

By Josh Shoulta

Staff writer

KSBA hits the road again this fall as the association’s 12 regional chairs host meetings for board members, superintendents, district staff and friends of education. The annual tour of the state allows members to gather in proximity to the communities they serve. A short format program offers an evening of learning and networking in an intimate setting – the ideal environment to address issues at the local level. Dinner is provided for a fee to registered attendees and the program is good for 1.25 hours of state-mandated school board training credit.

KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling notes that the meetings have a long and important history.

“Our regional meetings represent one of KSBA’s oldest traditions,” she said. “You can actually trace some form of these gatherings back to our founding in the 1930s.”

The timing of the meetings is unique, coinciding with the early days of the new school year, election season and in the busy months preceding the Regular Session of Kentucky’s General Assembly – all fodder for conversation.

Attendees at this year’s slate of regional meetings will receive association updates from KSBA leadership as well as a rundown of how local issues are addressed at the state level.

“There is a science and an art to how we as an association represent the interests of local school boards at the state level,” Schelling said. “We hope to shed some light on how that process works and to celebrate the significant role local school board members play in shaping good policy.”

KSBA will also summarize the results of its recent biennial legislative issues survey, data that will ultimately inform this year’s list of legislative priorities.

“This year’s results, once again, show just how diverse the needs of each school district are,” said KSBA Director of Advocacy Eric Kennedy. “But this year, we also see areas where there is strong consensus among our membership on specific issues.”

Back by popular demand, KSBA will facilitate interactive roundtable discussions, affording members the opportunity to discuss local concerns and share ideas with fellow members and staff.

Click here for a list of meeting dates and host districts. Specific times, locations and registration instructions will be provided to members through their respective regional chairs. Invitations will be sent approximately five to six weeks ahead of each meeting.

Regional chair elections
KSBA’s regional meetings serve an important role in the association’s transition of leadership. Six of KSBA’s 12 regions will conduct elections this year for new regional chairs to serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Regional chairpersons act as liaisons for regional meetings and are voting members of KSBA’s board of directors.

Online nomination forms, along with information on the selection process and regional chair responsibilities, are available at ksba.org/regionalmeetings.aspx. Nomination forms must be submitted no later than 15 business days prior to the scheduled meeting. Nominees will be reviewed by a regional nominating committee, comprised of KSBA members, and a new chairperson will be elected by members during the regional meetings.

For general questions about KSBA’s regional meetings and regional chair elections, contact Beth Pritchett at 502-783-0063 or [email protected].