Kentucky School Advocate
February 2024

In conjunction with the 2024 KSBA Annual Conference, March 1-3 in Louisville, KSBA President Karen Byrd (Boone County) invites all association members to participate in the ratification of four directors-at-large to serve on the KSBA Board of Directors. This vote will occur at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 2 during the annual business meeting portion of the Plenary Session.

The candidates up for ratification were put forward by a selection committee following a formal application and interview process. The selection committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Davonna Page (Russellville Independent), was comprised of KSBA directors appointed by the association’s president, in accordance with the bylaws.  

KSBA presents the following at-large director candidates for consideration.

Joanna Freels, Shelby County Schools
Freels has served on the Shelby County school board since 2015 and previously held the positions of chair and vice-chair. During her board tenure, she served on the district’s planning, calendar, budget, gifted and talented and superintendent search committees. She was also a charter member of the Shelby County Public School Foundation Board.

Freels was appointed by two different governors to the board of directors for Jefferson Community Technical College, serving for 10 years.

She is active in her community as a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church, Multi-Purpose Community Action Agency (chair), Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Young Leader Institute and Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority, as well as numerous other organizations.

Freels has her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in education from Western Kentucky University. She also holds a gifted endorsement for grades 1-8 and is an elementary education program consultant.

Freels retired from teaching at Shelby County Schools.

Jeremy Luckett, Owensboro Independent Schools
Luckett is in his sixth year serving on the Owensboro Independent school board and is currently the board chair. He has served on the district’s Superintendent Search and Athletics Construction committees during his tenure.

He previously served as KSBA’s Second Region director from 2021-2023. During that time, he served on the Governance Committee and as chair of the External/Member Relations Committee.

Luckett is a member of the boards for St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, currently as chair, and the Goodfellows Club. He’s a graduate of Leadership Owensboro and the Civilian Police Academy.

He also serves as the CEO of Ohio Valley Alliance and as the medical director of Hospice of Western Kentucky and Signature of Hartford.

Luckett has a Bachelor of Science in agricultural biotechnology, Master of Science in healthcare administration and Doctor of Medicine. He works as a physician.

Brandon Rutherford, Madison County Schools
Rutherford is in his fifth year serving on the Madison County school board and is currently the board chair. He previously served as the vice-chair during his board tenure.

He is also active in his community as a Bethel Baptist trustee, Madison County GOP executive committee member and has twice sat on the Madison County Fiscal Court hiring committee.

Rutherford is a federal firefighter, working the past 20 years at the Bluegrass Army Depot, which is under the Department of the Army. He previously worked at the Richmond Fire Department, where he was the youngest ever to make captain. He also worked for a year in Iraq as a contract firefighter.

David Turner, Walton-Verona Independent
Turner is in his sixth year serving on the Walton-Verona Independent school board and is the vice-chair. He has served on the district’s calendar, city liaison and communications committees.

Turner has served on the KSBA Education Foundation board since 2019, currently serving as treasurer and previously as chair.

He has served on Wake-Up Walton as a team leader and organizer, a member of the Northern Kentucky Parent Advisory Board, led the “Take Our Children to Work” program for the Procter & Gamble technical center and acted as a mentor with students at Newport High School and Northern Kentucky University.

Turner has been involved in education since moving to Walton 15 years ago, including the Parent/Teacher Association and school-based decision making councils.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Northern Kentucky University and microscopy certification from McCrone Research Institute.

Turner is a senior scientist – research and development for Global Febreze Plug-In Air Fresheners.

To view a full list of KSBA’s board of directors, and to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the board, visit: ksba.org/BoardofDirectors.aspx