Clark Co Schools may have calendar by May 3: Usually by this time of year, school districts across the state already have their calendars set for the following school year. But because of uncertainties caused by the lack of a state budget and no final word on whether or not the General Assembly will vote to take away two instructional days from next year, districts have had to delay finalizing their 2010-2011 school calendars. The Clark County Board of Education Tuesday got one step closer to having a final calendar for next year by selecting two possible options, one without the two days and one with the two days built in, out of six proposals. (Winchester Sun)
Corbin, Knox reciprocal agreement fight now going to the courts - Knox Superintendent calls Corbin decision to appeal a 'risky' move: With the rulings of the Kentucky Education Commissioner and the Kentucky Board of Education not to their liking, the Corbin School Board unanimously agreed to appeal the non-resident student agreement dispute with Knox County Schools to Franklin Circuit Court. "We want parent choice," said Board Member Kim Croley following Monday's special called meeting. "You should be able to send your child to the school you want them to go to." The board met with its attorney in the matter, Robert Chenoweth, for more than an hour Monday night in executive session. Superintendent Ed McNeel said previously the purpose was to review the Kentucky Board of Education's decision on the matter and explain the board's options. On April 13, the Kentucky Board of Education upheld Commissioner Terry Holliday's decision to permit Knox County students attending Corbin Independent Schools under the reciprocal agreement to continue to do so during the 2010-11 school year, while adding that their siblings not yet enrolled be permitted to do the same. (News-Journal)
Police say there is no evidence attack against gay teen was a 'hate crime': The mother of a gay Jackson County teenager says an attack on her daughter by classmates was a hate crime, but a detective said he would not classify the incident that way. Cheyenne Williams, 18, was attacked Friday because she is openly gay, said her mother, Dee Johnson. "It is a hate crime," Johnson said. State police Detective Joie Peters, who is investigating, said it appears the incident began as a practical joke but got out of hand, escalating to the point that Williams sustained minor injuries. Peters said he was not minimizing the incident but has not uncovered evidence it constituted a hate crime. (H-L)
Signs of protest - Bus director supporters stage rally: Several supporters gathered outside the Christian County Public Schools’ central office this morning to protest the superintendent’s decision to place Transportation Director Elzie Pollard on paid administrative leave.About 30 members of Pollard’s church, members of the com
munity and transportation employees held signs and walked in front of the Glass Avenue building just after 8:30 a.m.“We do know what they are saying, and we do know what they’re doing,” Felicia Radford, who described herself as a fellow parishioner. Pollard is a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. “We’re not here to start no trouble or down the superintendent. We want them to do what’s right and stop sugarcoating what they are doing.”Since the New Era reported Pollard’s administrative leave Monday, district officials have declined to provide information about why Superintendent Brady Link placed Pollard on leave. (Kentucky New Era)Glasgow HS will be part of AP program in fall of 2010: Glasgow High School is one of 16 additional schools that will be participating in the AdvanceKentucky program beginning in the fall of 2010.A total of 44 Kentucky high schools will be involved in the Advanced Placement (AP) Teacher Training and Incentive Program in the coming school year and beyond. The program promotes students taking college-readiness courses before graduation from high school.“We think it’s great,” said Glasgow Board of Education Chairman Jerry Ream of the announcement of the high school’s inclusion in the state’s third group of AdvanceKentucky schools. (Glasgow Daily Times )
Budget scramble for KY school districts: At a committee meeting for JCPS board members, Chief Financial Officer Cordelia Hardin usually presents her tentative two-year school budget -- but not today. Because lawmakers in Frankfort couldn't pass a budget, Hardin's own budget is in limbo. "Extreme frustration and that's why it's hard to present to the board where we fell we're going to be in the next two years because there's so much that's unknown," says Hardin. What she does know isn't very hearting. Modeling her budget off the senate's version, Hardin expects JCPS to lose millions of dollars. "$8 million is a lot of money, obviously, and it pays for a lot of teachers," says Hardin. (WDRB-TV, Fox 41)
Students again protest dismissal: In the second protest of the termination of Glasgow High School principal Kelly Bell’s contract for the next school year, there were tears and response from the superintendent.Some students who had participated in Friday’s protest at the school district’s central office brought friends and additional supportive parents to the Glasgow Middle School for the regular school board meeting. About 30 to 40 students stood outside the doors of the middle school, chanting as school board president Jerry Ream, school board members and superintendent Charlie Campbell walked into the building. (Glasgow Daily Times )
Franklin Co Teachers placed on the chopping block: County schools will eliminate six teaching positions next year, as the district tries to offset of a $400,000 projected deficit. The biggest cuts come from the high schools – 3.5 certified teaching positions at Western Hills and two at Franklin County High School. WHHS announced last month that it would end its Army JROTC program, which employs two teachers. The 70 students who participate will travel to FCHS for classes. The district will also eliminate 2.5 secretarial positions and one custodian. Combined, the cuts will save the district an estimated $357,000. (State Journal by way of KSBA)
More contact with teachers helps trouble students learn: A year ago, Jasmine Sanders' high school career was unraveling fast, like a tattered baseball. She didn't feel smart enough. She skipped school, cut classes, argued with fellow students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and saw little hope for the future. Then, last fall, Jasmine's guidance counselor recommended that she apply to The Learning Center, Fayette County Public Schools' new alternative school for middle school and high school students who have been failing in mainstream classrooms. One of the first 50 students admitted, Jasmine quickly blossomed in The Learning Center's intimate, familylike atmosphere. Now, the 18-year-old senior is on track to graduate, plans to earn an associate degree, and dreams of becoming an officer in the Navy. "I don't put myself down anymore, tell myself that I'm not smart enough, or just give up," Jasmine said. "Here, if you're struggling with something, they will stop and make sure you understand it. They really want you to succeed here." (H-L)
Brown accepts interim position - Former county superintendent will take over as enrollment chief at Western: Former Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Dale Brown has been named interim associate vice president for enrollment management in Western Kentucky University’s Office of Academic Affairs.Brown is replacing Dean Kahler, who has been named executive director of Navitas at WKU, a program to increase international enrollment.A national search is under way for the enrollment management position. (The Daily News)
Opinion -- Kudos to KHSAA for Tackett hiring - Association's new commissioner will make a world of difference: A great big running, jumping chest-bump thingy to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Board of Control, which did the right thing this week. The board members voted unanimously to hire Julian Tackett as the association's new commissioner. Tackett is one of the sharpest people I've ever met in sports. He's also genuine, gutsy and a master communicator. He's served the commonwealth well as an assistant commissioner for 26 years and he'll do the same as the head honcho. If you're a KHSAA basher, give him some time. If Tackett's first press conference was any indication, he might be shaking things up a bit. (Enquirer)
1 comment:
The availability of the teacher is often an important factor in helping students do their best in a class. In the case of students like Jasmine Sanders, sometimes the weight of poor grades and multiple failed attempts to catch up are enough to make a student feel like giving up. However, when teachers truly show interest in the achievement of their students and put forth the effort to help who may be struggling, they can make a tremendous difference in one’s school career. In the case of the Fayette County student within the article, this seemingly small effort on behalf of the teacher, combined with the student’s will to learn, proved to turn this young girl’s life around and put her back onto the right path. I believe that all teachers can learn from this achievement, as just a little more attention can make a world of difference.
Rachel Beeler
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