The Buck Stops....Somewhere Else

PageOneKentucky reports that UofL President James Ramsey has refused to make good on his promise to meet with any faculty members who may have been aggrieved by former Dean Robert Felner.

Instead, he is dumping the problem on new Dean Blake Heselton - "if he deems necessary, any follow-up.“

Haselton to become Interim Dean at U of L

With all the hubbub surrounding the University of theVille this week it's good to be reminded of this story (and photo) from Brad Hughes at KSBA last week:

Blake Haselton, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS), is leaving that post to become interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville.

Haselton, a former Oldham County superintendent, became the KASS exec three years ago following the retirement of former KASS Executive Secretary Roland Haun. While serving as the staff member for the superintendent's association, Haselton has been on the staff of U of L's education school. U of L's current education dean, Dr. Robert Felner, left to become chancellor of the University of Wisconsin system.

"Last Friday I was asked to discuss the position with University of Louisville President Jim Ramsey and he offered me the position of Interim Dean. Needless to say, this was an unexpected development but an exciting opportunity for me," Haselton said in an e-mail to the state's superintendents.

"I also think it is significant that the university would place a practitioner in the role of Interim Dean. Both President Ramsey and Provost Shirley Willihnganz indicated they want to continue to build on those relationships with school systems and I expect to continue to be an active advocate toward that goal," he said.

"My three years with KASS have been a wonderful experience," Haselton said. "We continue to be at a crossroads in elementary and secondary education and I will continue to be committed to achieving the goal of providing an adequate education for all kids. I have advised President Kelley Crain (superintendent of the Fleming County Schools) and the executive committee that I will continue to serve as your executive director during a transition period to a new director and will do anything I can to assist in the transition."

A little bit of light in a world of darkness.

In Athletics: Publics to Give Privates the Cold Shoulder

This from the Courier-Journal:

Superintendents discourage public schools from playing private schools

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, which represents 174 public-school districts in the state, endorsed a plan today that would eventually mean fewer sports contests against private schools.

Kentucky’s public and private high schools have been at odds over athletics for at least three years; public schools contend that private schools have an advantage because they can draw their students – and athletes – from large geographic areas, and public schools are much more restricted.

The KASS revealed its “schedule reduction” plan today, and their executive director, Blake Haselton, paid a courtesy call on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s board of control in the morning to provide details.

The wording of the plan:

“KASS has endorsed a proposal that would encourage all Kentucky public high schools to no longer enter into any contract to participate in any sports event with any Kentucky non-public high school. Exceptions:“

(1) Existing contracts will be honored;“

(2) Games that must be played in order to qualify for championship play;“

(3) Due to community pressure, continuance of contracts with in-county/close proximity non-publics with long standing positive relationships;“

(4) Public schools are encouraged not to invite but may participate in
multi-school events that include non-public schools.”

Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent Sheldon Berman said that the
concerns are "viable and serious" but he said Louisville public schools aren't
participating.“At this point we’re not specifically going to do anything other
than what we’re doing,” he said.

Haselton appeared before the KHSAA board about an hour. Afterward, he
said:“Yes, they just won’t be playing private and parochials unless they have
one of those exclusions…. They’ll be playing them in district games that count
toward seeding or if it’s required to eligible for district (tournament)
play.”Haselton added that many schools already have scheduled football and
basketball games for next season and the impact would be greater the following
year.