Kentucky School Advocate
January 2024
Election winner ruled ineligible
The Attorney General’s Office has ruled that Josh Oney, who has defeated Montgomery County incumbent Bill Morgan in two elections, is ineligible to serve on the board.
After Oney filed for the November 2023 election, he learned his brother had taken a job in the district. Morgan sued to keep Oney off the ballot, but on election day a Montgomery Circuit judge allowed the county clerk to count Oney’s votes. He won by 67 votes.
On Dec. 18, Jeremy J. Sylvester, assistant attorney general, issued a letter declaring Oney ineligible, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. The letter said the office of the attorney general has a duty to enforce the law, “which in this case is unambiguous.”
Under state law, no person shall be eligible for membership on a board of education if they have a relative employed by the school district.
In the November 2022 election, Oney defeated Morgan by 21 votes. After the election, Oney’s brother was hired by the district and Oney was forced to resign. Morgan was then appointed to his former seat.
Oney said he filed for the seat again in 2023 because his brother had left employment with the district, however his brother was rehired in October 2023.
Superintendent saves student’s grandparent
Robertson County Superintendent Sanford Holbrook recently saved the life of a student’s foster grandparent. Holbrook was in the cafeteria when he heard a custodian calling for help.
Holbrook said he looked up to see Joane Dodson choking and the custodian unable to get her arms around Dodson to perform the Heimlich, according to the Maysville Independent Ledger.
Holbrook rushed over and began performing the Heimlich maneuver, pumping three times before her airway cleared.
“He saved my life. I really appreciate it,” Dodson said.
Following the situation, Dodson was taken to the nurse’s station and then to the hospital. She is now OK.
“It’s just one of those things where you’re just glad you’re trained on how to do stuff like that,” Holbrook said.
New KSBA staff member
KSBA welcomed Jennifer Kiser on Dec. 11 as the association’s new administrative assistant to the board of directors. Kiser brings extensive experience and expertise in education, administration, business and state government. Originally from Michigan, Kiser is a passionate owner, breeder and exhibitor of horses.Among her many responsibilities, Kiser serves as the principal liaison between association staff and the 27-member board of directors, coordinates KSBA regional meetings with host districts and facilitates the nomination and selection processes for KSBA’s college scholarship and CTE grant programs for Kentucky high school students.
(Photo): Kiser, pictured with her horse, Sherlock, during the Pinto Horse Association’s 2021 Color Breed Congress in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
KSBA milestones
KSBA staff were recognized for service milestones at the annual holiday gathering. From left, Director of Policy and eMeeting Services Katrina Kinman (15 years), Senior Policy Consultant & eMeeting Program Manager Kim Barker-Burton (15 years), Director of Communications Josh Shoulta (5 years), Publications Manager Brenna Kelly (5 years), Administrative Assistant/Receptionist Buffy Sams (5 years).