Wednesday, May 18, 2011

School News from Around Kentucky

Drug testing only to include students, for now: There are still many unanswered questions regarding the implementation of student drug testing at Marion County High School, but the committee charged with developing a drug testing policy is working to resolve those issues before fall sports begin July 15. Last week, the Marion County Public Schools Drug Testing Implementation Committee met with school board attorney Joe Mattingly to discuss the legalities of student drug testing and the next steps that need to be taken. According to Mattingly, while many people in the public believe the school system should also drug test teachers and staff, the committee’s focus is strictly student drug testing, for now. (Lebanon Enterprise by way of KSBA)

Madison Clerk accepts Three Year plea deal: The former Madison Central high school secretary accused of having sex with a student has decided to accept a plea agreement, her attorney revealed Tuesday evening. Lynda Chase, 37, will plead guilty Thursday in Madison Circuit Court to third-degree rape and four counts of third-degree sodomy, said attorney Jim Baechtold. The state will recommend a one-year sentence on each count, he said. “Three of the counts will run consecutively and the other two will run concurrently,” Baechtold said, for a total sentence of three years. (Register)

Newport H.S. principal and site-based council to be replaced: Newport High School's principal and site-based council will be replaced before next school year after a state assessment team said they do "not have the capability and capacity to continue" in their roles. That comment was made in a report released this week by the Kentucky Department of Education after a school leadership assessment was conducted the last week of April. Principal Scott Draud, in his seventh year, will be out after his contract expires June 30. The site-based council, which makes major decisions on the direction of the school (such as the curriculum) will be replaced by August. (NKy.com)

At least 14 in running for Fayette school superintendent: At least 14 applications had been received as of Tuesday afternoon for Fayette County's school superintendent, the county school board's executive search firm reported. Tom Jacobson, owner and CEO of McPherson & Jacobson LLC in Omaha, Neb., said the list includes applicants from Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York and Washington state. (H-L)

JCPS one step closer to hiring interim superintendent: The JCPS school board interviewed three candidates for interim superintendent Tuesday afternoon. The board is remaining tight-lipped about this process, but the board chair revealed the interim will not be the next superintendent. WDRB learned the three candidates come from both inside and outside the district. All of them were recruited. But none of the candidates, a woman and two men, have been superintendent before. (WDRB)

EDITORIAL - Cooperate for the kids: Local school boards should listen to the district and circuit court judges who are telling them it’s a mistake to split up an alternative education program that’s been conducted at Wilkinson Street School. Judges intervened in the debate because students in the alternative school often end up in contact with the criminal justice system, either as offenders or victims. Wilkinson Street School tries to put them on track for success and happiness and has a done a remarkably good job, according to a letter the court officials sent to chairmen of the city and county school districts. Because they fear the program will be less effective if pursued separately by the two systems, the judges have formed a task force to review options. (State Journal by way of KSBA)

Frankfort Ind Board chairman scolds council: Student testing data shows no evidence that Frankfort Middle and High School is doing “any better than average,” the city school board chairman said Monday. Paul Looney was responding to the school council’s decision to reject a pre-Advanced Placement program next year. The unanimous vote earlier this month puts the council at odds with the school board, which supports the rigorous curriculum. Looney told Frankfort High School Council members Monday that he was “really saddened and disappointed” with their decision. In Kentucky, school councils have the final say on curriculum choices. FHS teachers told school board members last month that they worried the SpringBoard program was being introduced too fast and could leave some kids behind. The council’s action contradicts the Frankfort Independent Board of Education’s unanimous vote in January to approve a 10-part improvement plan that included the use of the English and math program for all students in grades six through 12. “It has become obvious that this council has in no way bought into the board’s vision of raising student achievement,” Looney said in a 10-minute statement during public comment time at the council’s meeting Monday. (State Journal by way of KSBA)

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