Five New Members to be Sworn In at KBE Retreat

When the Kentucky Board of Education begins their annual retreat at the Berry Hill Mansion on May 13th in Frankfort, the first order of business wil be the swearing in of five new members.

The four members whose terms ended April 14th are David Webb of Edmonson County, Janna Vice of Madison County, David Rhodes of Montgomery County, and Bonnie Lash Freeman of Jefferson County. The resignation of Keith Travis brings to five the number of Beshear appointments on a board with 12 members.

There has been some chatter surrounding the legality of appointments starting with Republican partisan blogger Brett Hall claiming that Beshear waited too long to name new members; and the governor's office saying Hall doesn't know what he's talking about. Helen Mountjoy speculated that some members might be reappointed. Who was right? Well, Hall can ramp up the rhetoric and Mountjoy might want ot polish up her crystal ball...but the governor's appointees are:

Austin W. Moss, of Hopkinsville, will represent the First Supreme Court District. Since 1995, he has served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Jennie Stuart Medical Center. The appointment replaces Keith Travis, who has resigned. Moss shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending April 14, 2010.

Dorothy “Dorie” Z. Combs, of Richmond, will represent members-at-large. She previously served on this board from June 2002 to April 2006. Combs is a professor in the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. The appointment replaces Janna Vice, whose term has expired. Combs shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

Stephen B. Neal, of Louisville, will represent members-at-large. He is the executive director of the Jefferson County Teachers Association. The appointment replaces Bonnie Lash Freeman, whose term has expired. Neal shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

Billy Harper, of Paducah, will represent members-at-large. He is the president and chief executive officer of Harper Industries, Inc., and a member of the McCracken County Board of Education The appointment replaces David Rhodes, whose term has expired. Harper shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

Brigitte B. Ramsey, of Falmouth, will represent members-at-large. She is a public policy analyst for the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and a member of the Pendleton County Board of Education. The appointment replaces David Webb, whose term has expired. Ramsey shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

This from the KDE press release:

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Board of Education will hold its annual retreat Tuesday and Wednesday, May 13 and 14, at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort.

No business will be conducted at the retreat.

The board’s goal during the retreat is to discuss a tactical plan/strategy for every school reaching proficiency by 2014.

Agenda follows.

KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MAY
13-14, 2008

MUSIC ROOM
BERRY HILL MANSION
FRANKFORT,
KENTUCKY

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

BUSINESS SESSION - FULL
BOARD
MUSIC ROOM
BERRY HILL MANSION
8:45 a.m. (EDT)

I. Swearing-in of new members

II. Call to Order

III. Roll Call

IV. Welcome and agenda overview

V. Comments from the commissioner

VI. Team building and role of state boards

Lunch
(Lunch provided for KBE members, invited guests and Commissioner's Planning Committee members only)

VII. Discussion:
What are we currently doing to get to proficiency?
A. Purpose and focus of the discussion for the next two days
B. Strategic Plan Progress Report Review

VIII. Discussion: What are our next steps to continue and to increase progress toward proficiency?
A. Commissioner's Task Force on Assessment and Accountability: Purpose and progress report on its formation
B. Blue Ribbon Panel on Interventions in Low-Performing Schools: Summary of work and recommendations

IX. Internal Board Business
A. Review of the KBE Policy Manual
B. KBE budget report
C. Review of 2008, 2009, and 2010 Meeting Dates
1. Whether to continue one-day meetings/purpose of these meetings
D. Review of Highly Skilled Educator selection process

Recess

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

BUSINESS SESSION -
FULL BOARD
MUSIC ROOM
BERRY HILL MANSION
9:00 a.m.
(EDT)

X. Discussion: What are our next steps to continue and to increase progress toward proficiency? (Theme continued from previous day)
A. Review of previous day's work
B. Future Direction
1. KDE's Current Work/Future Recommendations/KBE Small Group Work
2. Instruction & Balanced Assessment
3. Leadership
4. Low-performing schools

Lunch
(Lunch provided for KBE members, invited guests and Commissioner's Planning Committee members only)

X. Discussion:
What are our next steps to continue and to increase progress toward proficiency?
(Cont'd after lunch)
C. Future Direction (Cont'd)
1. KDE's Current Work/Future Recommendations/KBE Full Board Discussion
2. Legislation
3. KBE Recommendations

XI. Adjournment