Inauguration Day 2019

Gov. Beshear: Public education ‘is a Kentucky issue’

Kentucky School Advocate
January 2020

Staff report

Pledging that his administration would be a team involving all Kentuckians, Gov. Andy Beshear was sworn in Dec. 10 on the Capitol steps surrounded by Kentucky educators (pictured at right). 

“I am now the governor of all the people of Kentucky. I will be governor just as much for those who voted against me as those who voted for me,” Beshear said. “Because I view this election as an opportunity. … An opportunity to heal wounds. An opportunity to work together instead of angling for political gain. An opportunity to make room at the table for voices that have been excluded.”

Those voices include educators like now-Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Beshear said before announcing that he had reorganized the state board of education to include members with a “commitment to make our schools better.” 

Before the ceremony, teachers dressed in red led the inaugural parade and lined the route from downtown Frankfort to the Capitol. Hundreds of Kentucky public school students participated in the festivities as part of marching bands, choirs, Junior ROTC and other groups.

KSBA’s Executive Director Kerri Schelling and President-elect Davonna Page (pictured at left) were honored to attend the swearing in ceremony on the Capitol steps. 

“KSBA looks forward to working with the new administration to further our common goals of enhancing public education for all of Kentucky’s children,” Schelling said. 

In his speech, Beshear vowed that public education would remain at the forefront of his administration’s agenda. 

“If our public schools – especially those in struggling communities – are going to survive and thrive, we need to make sure they are adequately funded. That means looking at class size, providing technology and striving to give every child true opportunity. This is not a partisan issue. This is a Kentucky issue.”