Kentucky School Advocate
October 2023
By Josh Shoulta
KSBA staff writer
Since kicking off the 2023 Regional Meeting season on Aug. 29, KSBA has visited seven of its 12 regions, each providing members with ample opportunities to interact with peers, take part in roundtable discussions and receive association updates. So far this fall, however, student performances, exhibits and hospitality have stolen the show.
Estill County High School band students performed at the Upper Kentucky River regional meeting, while the Pulaski County High School choir wowed the audience at the Middle Cumberland gathering. KSBA’s Second Region meeting, held at the Kentucky Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum and hosted by Owensboro Independent, featured the talents of its high school chamber orchestra.
Multiple regional hosts displayed student artwork, including First Region’s Murray Independent, whose 2nd and 3rd grade students designed colorful placemats with encouraging words after having received a lesson on the role of school boards.
Central Kentucky regional guests were treated to a gourmet meal courtesy of Garrard County culinary students while Oldham County Schools treated attendees to tours of its Arvin Education Center before the Fifth Region meeting.
KSBA also extends regional meeting invitations to state-level decision makers, including legislators and members of the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE). At the Sept. 5 Northern Kentucky regional meeting, more than 100 education leaders were joined by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, Rep. Marianne Proctor, R-Union, Rep. Steve Doan, R-Erlanger, Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, and KBE members Julie Pile and Randy Poe, all of whom participated in roundtable discussions with school board members and superintendents. Six of the seven meetings held during August and September were attended by legislators and/or KBE members.
Three regions thus far have elected new regional chairs: Becky Burgett, of Gallatin County (Northern Kentucky Region), Pat Hall, of Campbellsville Independent (Middle Cumberland Region) and Tom Bell, of Christian County (Second Region). These and three other soon-to-be elected chairs will begin three-year terms on KSBA’s board of directors in January.
For more information on KSBA’s regional meetings, visit ksba.org/RegionalMeetings.aspx or contact your regional chair.