Gov. Beshear names appointees to the Kentucky Board of Education

This from the Gov:

Gov. Steve Beshear today announced appointments to the Kentucky Board of Education, choosing representation from business, education and community interests throughout the Commonwealth.

“Providing a quality education to Kentucky’s youth is essential to advancing our workforce and our economy,” said Gov. Beshear, “and no one knows that better than the team I have assembled to serve on this board. This group consists of nationally recognized educators and leaders who organize communities to support the goals of educational attainment. They all understand and share the value and significance of
education to the personal growth of Kentuckians and the economic prosperity of our Commonwealth.”

The appointees are:

Jonathan Parrent, of Caldwell County, will represent the First Supreme Court District. He is the current dean of student affairs at Madisonville Community College and works with regional high school students to improve college and career readiness. Parrent also is the father to two elementary school students. The
appointment replaces Austin W. Moss, whose term has expired.

William L. Twyman, of Barren County, will represent the Second Supreme Court District. He is a former educator and national Milken Educator award winner. He currently works with the consulting firm, Educational Directions. The appointment replaces Wilburn “Joe” Brothers, whose term has expired.

Roger L. Marcum, of Nelson County, will represent the Third Supreme Court District. He is a former principal, superintendent and national Milken Educator award winner. In 2006, he was named superintendent of the year by the Kentucky School Boards Association. He is currently the executive vice president of St. Catharine College in Springfield. The appointment replaces John Douglas Hubbard, whose term has expired.

Mary Gwen Wheeler, of Jefferson County, will represent the Fourth Supreme Court District. She is the senior policy advisor on education and youth with the Louisville Metro Government. She is currently a member of the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. The appointment replaces Jeanne H. Ferguson, whose term has expired.

Martha M. Jones, of Boyd County, will represent the Seventh Supreme Court District. She is a former social worker and continuing education counselor. She also previously worked with Friends of the Children, a non-profit organization in Ashland, to assist disadvantaged schoolchildren. The appointment replaces Katheryn R. Baird, whose term has expired.

Gov. Beshear has also reappointed the following members:

Dr. C.B. Akins, Sr., of Fayette County, will represent the Fifth Supreme Court district. He has been a member of the board since June 2006. He is currently pastor of First Baptist Church Bracktown.

Judith H. Gibbons, of Kenton County, will represent the Sixth Supreme Court District. She has been a member of the board since June 2006. She is a retired vice-president of a professional career management firm.

These members will serve for terms expiring April 14, 2014. (or...you know...whenever)

The Kentucky Board of Education has 12 members, with the governor appointing 11 voting members -- seven representing the Supreme Court districts and four representing the state at large. The additional non-voting member is the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education.

The Kentucky Board of Education develops and adopts the regulations that govern Kentucky’s 174 public school districts. While the board has legal authority to establish performance standards for local school districts and to mandate corrective
actions, the board respects the local autonomy of each school district.