Kentucky School Advocate
February 2020
Superintendent vacancies
Henderson County Superintendent Marganna Stanley is one of the latest Kentucky superintendents to announce retirement this year.
“As we start developing a new five-year strategic plan, I believe it is now the best time for our board to select a new leader that will carry that work forward,” said Stanley, who has been superintendent for six years. “I want to thank our school board members for their trust, leadership, and support. I am filled with pride and my hope is that the Henderson County Schools continue to thrive and continue to expand horizons for our students.”
Stanley joins a growing number of superintendents who have announced their retirements this year. The retirements include: Boone County’s Randy Poe, Newport’s Kelly Middleton, Shelby County’s James Neihof, Butler County’s Scott Howard, Pikeville Ind.’s Jerry Green, Edmonson County’s Patrick Waddell, Metcalfe County’s Benny Lile, Owensboro Ind.’s Nick Brake, Christian County’s Mary Ann Gemmill and Meade County's John Millay.
West Point Ind. to discuss merger
For the second time in two years, Kentucky could have one fewer school district. The West Point Independent Board of Education is discussing merger negotiations with Hardin County Schools.
In a Jan. 14 letter to parents, board Chairman Eddie Moore and Interim Superintendent Sally Sugg said the district has “reached a point that is not financially sustainable.”
The letter cites several factors, including increasing staffing and operational expenses, low enrollment, unfunded mandates and already levying one of the highest property tax rates in the state.
Hardin County Schools Superintendent Teresa Morgan said in a statement that the district looks “forward to working with our friends at West Point Independent Schools.”
Morgan said the district would welcome West Point students and their families with open arms.
West Point was in the process of appealing a Kentucky Department of Education audit that had recommended that the state take over the struggling district.
PEAK Award nominations due
KSBA is seeking nominations for the Spring 2020 PEAK (Public Education Achieves in Kentucky) Award. The award, established in 1997, is designed to bring attention to efforts by public schools to enhance student learning. Districts that have not won a PEAK Award in the past five years are eligible. An article on the winning program will appear in the May issue of the Kentucky School Advocate. In addition to an award ceremony at the district, representatives of the winning program will be invited to present a session at KSBA’s 2021 Annual Conference in Louisville. For more information and to enter go to ksba.org/peak.aspx.
Katrina Kinman, KSBA’s director of policy and eMeeting services, helps KBE board member Alvis Johnson learn how to use the eMeeting program at the Jan. 17 board meeting.
Several KSBA employees were recognized for service milestones during the association’s annual holiday gathering. Those recognized were, from left, Steve Smith, chief financial officer, 10 years; MerryAnn Marshall, unemployment specialist, 40 years; Jeff Million, print/operations manager, 10 years; Tammie Conatser, executive assistant, 15 years; Kerri Schelling, executive director, 20 years; and (not pictured) Garnett Thurman, senior policy consultant, five years.