Kentucky School Advocate
November 2021
Get involved with Annual Conference
Though KSBA’s 2022 Annual Conference is still months away, there are many ways board members and their districts can get involved now to help make the Feb. 25-27 event successful.
KSBA is accepting proposals for breakout sessions on topics that relate to the roles and responsibilities of
public school board teams. All submissions must be received by Nov. 29.
Student performances at the conference provide a unique chance to showcase students’ talents in front of hundreds of board members, administrators and public ed advocates. Submissions must be received by Nov. 29.
KSBA will once again display banner artwork depicting the conference theme and we invite each district to submit a student-designed banner for display in conference materials and in the banner gallery area. The banners serve as a powerful reminder of schools’ primary focus – learning and learners. Following the success of the 2021 banners and overwhelming positive feedback, we are once again requesting all banners be submitted digitally for the 2022 conference. More information on all of the participation opportunities is available at KSBA.org/AnnualConference.aspx.
Beshear appoints two school board members to SCAAC
Gov. Andy Beshear has appointed an all-new School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council (SCAAC). The council was remade in 2019 by former Gov. Matt Bevin with members that Beshear said lacked racial and political diversity. However, the state legislature did not confirm the members.
In an Oct. 6 executive order, Beshear appointed 15 members and two university professors to be named later to the council. The new appointees include two local school board members – Debby Atherton of Bullitt County Schools and Chuck Fletcher of Franklin County Schools. Two superintendents – Houston Barber of Frankfort Ind. and Henry Webb of Kenton County Schools – were also appointed. The remaining members include parents, district assessment coordinators, principals, teachers, employers and professors.
The council was created under state law to study, review and make recommendations concerning Kentucky’s system of academic standards, assessing learning, identifying academic competencies and deficiencies of students, holding schools accountable for learning and assisting schools to improve their performance. The council meets four times a year. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Lt. Gov. Coleman resigns as education secretary
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman on Oct. 21 announced she would step down as secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet to focus on her role as lieutenant governor.
Coleman, a former teacher and assistant principal in Nelson County Schools, had held the dual role since Gov. Andy Beshear took office in December 2019. Coleman said she would focus on economic development.
“There is so much work to be done in the education and workforce development arena to support an economy that is on fire, and I know that seeing these commitments through requires a laser-like focus,” she said.
Deputy Secretary Mary Pat Regan will assume the role of acting secretary of the cabinet.
Nominate students for first-generation scholarships
Nominations for KSBA’s 2022 First Degree Scholarship program are being accepted until Nov. 29. This year, KSBA has expanded scholarship opportunities for Kentucky high school students, providing awards to both students who plan to pursue college degrees after high school and students who are currently pursuing career and technical education (CTE) industry certifications.
The KSBA Educational Foundation will provide four high school seniors (two male and two female) each with $2,500 scholarships for the pursuit of postsecondary degrees at any accredited two- or four-year college or university.
New this year, at least 24 CTE scholarships will be awarded to students (one male and one female student in each of KSBA’s 12 regions). CTE scholarships will fund industry certification assessments for students still in high school.
Eligible nominees for both scholarships come from immediate families whose members (parents, guardians, siblings) have not earned postsecondary degrees. Nominees must be put forward by districts by Nov. 29. In total, KSBA will award approximately $22,000 in scholarships for students this school year.