KBE Discusses Commish Search, School Assistance

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – At its regular meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations, had in-depth discussions and made decisions on a number of items.

The board had a lengthy discussion with Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., the firm hired to conduct the search for a new commissioner of education. Representatives from the Florida-based firm outlined a timeline that would culminate with the hiring of a new commissioner in August. The board has entered into a contract that would pay the firm a maximum of $120,000 for its work.

The board heard a presentation on the state’s student information system, which is provided through Infinite Campus. All of Kentucky’s 174 public school districts have implemented the core components of the system.

Staff from the Department of Education’s Office of Leadership and School Improvement and Office of Special Instructional Services provided an update on the Assist and Support School Improvement Success Team (ASSIST) initiative, which is designed to provide support and resources to schools and districts in need of improvement based on state and federal academic accountability measures.

The board took the following actions:

• approved the appointment of Catherine Fernandez, a teacher in the Henderson County school district, and David McFadden, a teacher in the Laurel County school district, to the State Textbook Commission
• approved the district facility plan for Bell County
• approved a district facility plan amendment for Ballard County
• appointed board members Dorie Combs, Doug Hubbard and Austin Moss to a work group that will study sports safety as mandated by House Bill 383
• accepted the report of the Audit Committee

Other reports and presentations included:

• an update from AdvanceKentucky on Advanced Placement courses and resources
• a review of legislation passed in the 2009 session of the General Assembly
• discussion about the requirements of Senate Bill 1, which revamped the state’s public school assessment and accountability system
• information about safety training for coaches and other staff related to high school athletics
• an update from the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development and Kentucky Center for Mathematics on statewide coaching initiatives

The board will hold its annual retreat on May 12 and 13 in Frankfort. The board’s next regular meeting will be June 10 and 11 in Frankfort.

SOURCE: KDE press release