FRANKFORT, Ky.—Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear today announced he has named David Karem, former state senator and current president of the Waterfront Development Corporation, as the newest member of the Kentucky Board of Education.
Karem, of Louisville, was a member of the Kentucky General Assembly from 1972 until 2004. During his 28 years in the state senate, he served as majority caucus chairman, majority floor leader and democratic floor leader.
Widely recognized as a chief author of the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), during his legislative career, Karem also served as a member the Senate Education Committee, the Education Reform Task Force and chair of the Legislative Advisory Council of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). He also served as treasurer of the SREB and is a member of the Partnership for Kentucky Schools. Karem was also instrumental in passing legislation that reformed the statewide school accountability tests.
“David will be a great Kentucky Board of Education member because his heart is in public education and his eyes are still firmly focused on the future,” Gov. Beshear said. “David has never been wedded to the past. He has always looked for better ways to do things. Kentucky students are very lucky that David will once again be working on their behalf.”
“In 1990, David was looking to the future as a Senate leader when KERA was passed,” said Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Sec. Helen Mountjoy. “In 1997-1998, he again looked to the future as he helped lead the General Assembly's review of school reform and helped craft major revisions to school laws. His expertise and vision will be a great asset to the board.”
A graduate of St. Xavier High School in Louisville, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville School of Law, Karem currently serves numerous boards and commissions, including the Spalding University Board of Trustees; Board of Directors of the Louisville Fund for the Arts; and chairman of the education advisory committee for the Louisville Science Center.
During his nearly three decades in the General Assembly, Karem was twice selected outstanding State Senator in Public Interest by the Capitol Press Corps.
Karem and his wife, Anne, reside in Louisville and are the parents of two children, both of whom attended the Jefferson County Public Schools from grade school through graduation.
SOURCE: The Gov
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