D.C. direct
Kentucky school board members traveled to Washington, D.C., in February for the annual Advocacy Institute, joining 800 public school advocates from throughout the country. The three-day event was sponsored by the National School Boards Association.
U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie (left) listens to a delegation of Kentucky school board members during February’s annual Advocacy Institute,
sponsored by the National School Boards Association in Washington, D.C. The group included KSBA President David Webster,
who chairs the Simpson County school board; Boone County school board member Ed Massey (taking notes); and KSBA
Immediate Past President Allen Kennedy, who chairs the Hancock County school board.
The first two days consisted of informative sessions and panel presentations covering critical issues affecting public education. The event was designed to help attendees sharpen their advocacy strategy, tactics and messaging, and prepare for meetings with their Congressional representatives, which were held on the third day.
The Kentucky delegation met with U.S. Reps. Hal Rogers, Jamie Comer, Brett Guthrie and John Yarmuth, along with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. Those who made the trip were KSBA President David Webster of Simpson County, President-elect Ronnie Holmes of Graves County and Immediate Past President Allen Kennedy of Hancock County, along with Jefferson County school board members Linda Duncan and Christopher Kolb and Boone County board member Ed Massey. Also with the group were KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling and Governmental Relations Director Eric Kennedy.
Energetic lineup Headline speakers are finalized for the second annual KSBA School Energy Summit, April 16-17 at Embassy Suites, Lexington. The event opens with a discussion of “The Changing Energy Landscape,” focusing on the impact of state regulations, current energy outlook and energy efficiencies. Taking part in this are Carolyn Snyder, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division, which encompasses the ENERGY STAR program; Kentucky House Minority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins; and Drew Fellon, business leader with Trane Energy Services.
Participants also have been announced for the morning general session’s roundtable discussion, “Engaging District Leadership,” led by Scott County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hub. School board members contributing are Carl Wicklund, Kenton County Schools; Todd Earlywine, Bourbon County Schools; and Tony Whaley, Henry County Schools.
For the closing session, Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt will outline how Kentucky schools can make a difference in light of recent studies that show the classroom environment can affect a student’s learning and academic progress by as much as 25 percent.
No special rate As part of its decision in a rate increase sought by Kentucky Power Co., the state Public Service Commission eliminated the utility’s separate rate for schools. The rate had been implemented on a pilot basis, and an initial settlement called for the rate to be made permanent and extended to all schools served by Kentucky Power. However, the PSC found that continuing the rate could not be justified based on the power usage characteristics of the schools and because other customers would have had to subsidize the special rates. The PSC’s overall decision in the case reduced the utility’s base rate increase request by fourth-fifths. Kentucky Power serves 20 counties in eastern Kentucky.
Conference recap We didn’t skip an issue: You can read the
March Kentucky School Advocate online and catch up on the 82nd Annual Conference held March 2–4 in Louisville. Get a recap of the major speakers and learn about some of the clinic sessions you may have missed.