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Kentucky School Advocate

June 2019

KSBA to partner with KSPMA
KSBA is partnering with the Kentucky School Plant Managers Association (KSPMA) to ensure that local school districts continue to meet state facilities planning requirements. For many years, as an aid to members and their districts, KSBA has offered a facilitation service for Local Planning Committees (LPCs). This quality service will now primarily be offered and managed by KSPMA.

With the transition of this service, KSBA will collaborate with KSPMA with the goal of equipping school board members with the knowledge and preparation necessary to make sound facility decisions for their districts. KSBA thanks KSPMA for continuing this important work for our Commonwealth’s public schools and looks forward to their enhanced presence at KSBA conferences and events.

Nickel taxes sought
The Bellevue Independent school board voted to enact a nickel tax at its April meeting. The 5.6 cent tax would bring the district’s total real property tax to 95.5 cents. No one spoke in opposition to the tax at the public hearing before the vote, according to the River City News.

Superintendent Robb Smith (right) pointed out that the tax, which will be used to renovate existing school facilities, was long overdue.

Meanwhile, in Christian County, the school board voted to put the nickel tax on the November ballot after the county clerk certified a petition to recall the proposed tax. The board was unanimous in its vote for the tax but voted 3-2 to put the measure on the general election ballot. The two dissenting members had wanted a special election.

Higher education goal on track
Kentucky is on track to reach its educational attainment goal of 60 percent of the working-age population having a certificate or degree by 2030, according to a new report from Council on Postsecondary Education (see chart below).

The report notes that the total number of undergraduate degrees and credentials conferred increased 2.9 percent in 2017-18 over the prior year. That increase is more than the 1.7 percent average annual increase needed to stay on track toward the state’s long-range goal.

The increase includes public and independent institutions.

The report shows undergraduate degrees and credentials increased 2.6 percent at both public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. See the report here.

U.S. Secret Service to provide free threat assessment training
The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) will provide training for educators 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 11 at Southeast Christian Church at 920 Blankenbaker Parkway in Louisville.

The training is free and open to anyone in the education field including school administrators, school resource officers, school safety coordinators, teachers, counselors, social workers, Family Resource and Youth Service Center coordinators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors, coaches and other staff. Topics will include:

• Identifying potential threats and students who may be exhibiting concerning behaviors.

• Investigating and gathering information on the background and behaviors of concerning students.

• Assessing whether students pose a threat of violence or other harmful behavior.

• Developing risk management strategies and interventions.

• Interactive case studies.

The NTAC conducts research, training and consultation on threat assessment and the prevention of targeted violence. Register by July 1.