School News from around Kentucky

• More post-Erwin Commentaries: Whew! That was close: Loss of Erwin lucky for education board, state. from the Herald-Leader; Too Hot to Handle. "recoup some of the $50,000 paid to search firm Ray and Associates" from the State-Journal; Gilding the ol' resume. "this whole mess doesn't ring too true on my Bell curve of educational excellence." from the Courier-Journal.
• Jefferson County studies Multi-factor plan, expands definition of diversity to include academic achievement, parent education levels, language, test scores and income...and maybe race.
• Christian County teacher losses far above national average.
• Ft Thomas raises athletic fees from $50 to $90 per child per sport, to balance budget.
• Fired Harlan County teacher loses another court bout, accused of taking racy student pix.
• Mason County Board implements 4 R's -- relationships, relevance, rigor and reflection.
• Whitley East Elementary school project faces delays.
• Clark County Board member not removed from office by Attorney General.
• Simpson County policy would extend limits of mandated student drug tests for students who parking cars on campus or play sports.
• Breakfast & lunch prices rise at Caverna schools.
• Glasgow schools abolish tuition fees for students outside district.
• Back to school for 2,700 Jefferson County students who attend one of seven year-round schools.
• Two-week Kinder Kamp gets newbies ready for Elizabethtown kindergarten.
• Settlement reached in 2003 McCreary County suit.
• Space academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville "priceless" for Jefferson County science teacher.
• Bullitt County school board rejects union.

School News from around Kentucky

• Fayette County's Paul Laurence Dunbar High School journalism students recently had two of their projects broadcast on WUKY 91.3 radio.
• Veterans Park Elementary has been certified as a Parent Involvement School of Excellence by the National Parent Teacher Association, the second in Fayette County along with Cassidy School.
• Students from Covington's Holmes High School earned top-10 finishes in a national industry-skills competition.
• Medical: Kentucky Ranked 45th in Nation on quality of its health care in Commonwealth Fund Report.
• UK's Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues Receives National Recognition.
• The first annual Tour de Kentucky, sponsored by the UK Linda and Jack Gill Heart Institute, is a 70-mile trek to benefit the American Heart Association.
• Henry Clay graduate Vanessa M. Dimayuga, is one of UK’s newest Fulbright fellows. The graduating senior majored in biology and will travel to the Netherlands to do research.
• Fallsburg Elementary School Sustains Heavy Fire Damage. Lawrence County Board of Education plans for repairs and portables.
• Frankfort 7th & 8th graders gets new name, schedule.
• Shelby County board discussed procedures and timelines for replacing superintendent Elaine Farris.
• Summer meals program thriving in Carter Co. Schools, including children in 20 community Bible schools.
• New initiative in Oldham County Schools to improve literacy.
• Blavatt says current SEEK funding formula doesn't take Boone County's growth into consideration.
• Site chosen for 17 million Robertson County school.
• KSBA says KY superintendents seek greater flexibility in state’s K-12 budget process.
• New Superintendent Sheldon Berman is eager to tackle challenges in Jefferson County.
• Superintendents of Hardin County and Elizabethtown Independent school districts said, at least at the surface, there seem to be no local implications of a Supreme Court ruling.
• Supreme Court decision in Brentwood could have a "significant impact" on athletics in the commonwealth, KHSAA Commissioner says.
• Franklin County Board of Education welcomed new Superintendent Harrie Buecker.
• Ten percent ‘stuff’ and 90 percent dreamin’ and schemin’ - a KSBA conversation with Barbara Erwin.
• Cumberland County Schools – the only Kentucky public school district in the bulls-eye of a Wolf Creek dam failure – forming an emergency response plan.
• Glasgow Elementary students add Iowa test for grades K-5 in math and reading.
• School district is expected to collect an amount of money equal to what Webster County and Providence school districts received last year, $14 million.
• Hardin County Schools to implement electronic phone messaging system, call 1,000 parents per minute, reminders and emergencies.
• Attny General says right to privacy is a factor in Open Records.
• The Kentucky Press Association joins a national web site for posting public notice ads.

School News from Around Kentucky

• In Jefferson County more students take classes now, free up time for electives; Meyzeek teacher honored for environmental efforts in Smoketown; Student artwork wins congressional contest.
• Daeschner's tenure saw progress and critics, School chief leaves after 14-year term. Video Re: School Board; Video Re: JCTA; Video on Daeschner's regrets; Press Conference on School desegregation ruling.
• NKU may get $500K to beef up 'Net security.
• Brossart students hear call to Africa, mission to Uganda began with Darfur studies.
• After decades of landlock Covington Latin now has room to grow, buys nearby site.
• Covington teacher lends hand in Africa, at orphanage and hospice.
• Ryle Future Business Leaders compete nationally.
• Nicholas County Board votes to prohibit the use of any tobacco products.
• Surveillance video from Knox Central High School helps capture perpetrators.
• The new pass or park law will be an issue with teen drivers beginning August 1st.
• Campbellsville faces budget cuts, finance rumors.
• The Harlan County budget on track after cuts that totaled $1.6 million.
• Carter County Board decides to put historic Hitchins Elementary on the auction block.
• Most of 309 Pike County employees who were non-renewed will not be laid off.
• Fiscal court issues bonds for sewer service for Rosspoint Elementary and Harlan County High School.
• James Graham, former state schools chief, dies.
• Council of Postsecondary Education seeks new chief by end of July.
• Motion to end recognition of Bullitt County Education Association withdrawn.
• Laurel County students prohibited from carrying camera-capable cellular telephones, and “other image capturing devices.”
• Danville High speech team successful at national tournament.
• Fulton Independent will allow enrollment of more preschoolers.
• Instructional Device Upgrade will add dozens of new workstations in Russellville.
• Kentucky scores a "D" in teacher quality policy says Nat'l Council on Teacher Quality.
• Fired Fayette County teacher pleads guilty to third-degree sexual abuse of 15-year-old girl.

School News from around Kentucky

--School absences are a community issue in Madison County.

--Martin,Christian, Floyd, Todd, and Trigg County drivers win Kentucky school bus safety rodeo.

--Bryan Station High rehires fired coach.

--Kentucky Community and Technical College System expands virtual learning system.

--DARE making a comeback, content adjusted for bullying, gangs.

--Interactive classrooms to expand in Bowling Green Independent Schools.

--Kenton County School board moves forward with streamlined improvement plan.

--The Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed a Martin Circuit Court ruling to permit the involuntary transfer of a teacher who is a school based decision making council (SBDM) representative to another school following her election, but before her new term commenced.

--Shelby teachers say they feel "left out of the loop" in salary, benefits discussions.

--Clark County Schools seek big gains with small computers.

--Fulton Independent School Board opts to discontinue SBDM for its new one-school district.

--Former Trigg County High School Principal pleads guilty to lesser charge of harassment.

--Chair of panel formed to overhaul the state's retirement system says current employees and retired personnel shouldn't worry.

--After three rounds of postings, Lexington native hired as Lincoln County High principal.

--Hearing for former Monroe County teacher convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old middle school student postponed.

--Grayson County Board of Education voted to change the grading scale, abandons weighted scale.

--Boone County one of 20 districts in the state honored by SchoolMatch.

--Students participate in Camp Invention at Ludlow Elementary School.

--Gray Middle School 8th-graders learn construction hands-on.

--Poor people in Kentucky pay more for everyday expenses than their wealthier counterparts, study says.

--Several Pike County Teachers Rehired After Receiving Lay Off Notice.

School News from Around Kentucky

• In Fayette County: Six Week "Read for the Roses" Event Culminates; Nine Fayette seniors are among 2,500 winners of National Merit Scholarships; Runyon named new principal at Morton Middle School.
• Open Doors to Federal Courts program involves Pike County students in mock trial.
• Lewis County JROTC cadets participate in Organization Day.
• Scott County Board OKs contracts for two school renovations, $4.35 million.
• AC units going in at Boyd County Middle School in time for cool graduation.
• Two candidates remain for Grant County school superintendent.
• Corbin News Journal says Corbin drug policy overly broad, unnecessary.
• Garrard County Board of Education approves $7.8 million facilities plan.
• LaRue County Middle School teachers team up, add 6th graders for fall.
• SMART Boards have impact in Ft. Thomas.
• Harrison County cuts ribbon on new quarter-million computer lab.
• Wilmore considers Jessamine Co request to share in SRO cost.
• Alignment changes for the newly merged Mercer County school system described.
• Engineers and professors to improve services for G/T students in Campbell County.
• Henry County to approve contract for another day care, this one at Eastern.
• Harrison County High School student gets 10 days for threatening assistant principal.
• Court ruling brings new cash to Kenton County. Parents of teen killed on field trip settle lawsuit with Kenton school district.
• Glasgow Independent School District Superintendent to retire.
• Higher wages in Harlan County may now be costing some jobs.
• Budget problems, 300 non-renewal letters, Pike County employees ask Board to tap contingency.
• Elizabethtown Independent Schools could retool its grading scale.
• Hopkinsville Middle School principal, assistant removed, lack of improvement cited.
• Nelson County Board of Education considers new drug testing policy.
• Former teacher admits her guilt in student sex case in Tompkinsville.
• Plea deal keeps former Newport teacher out of prison.
• UK breaks $1 billion goal. Actress Ashley Judd receives bachelor's degree from UK.
• Ex Bengal Dinkel's wife to face rape charge on accusation of sex with 15-year-old Covington Catholic boy in her home.
• St. Thomas School's 6th & 7th graders plant flower beds in city.
• 10-year-old Evansville, IN student brings loaded handgun to school.
• 70 Henry County High students, drive their tractors as memorial to FFA sponsor's wife.
• Jefferson County students to get free library cards.

School News from around Kentucky

• Taylor County rejects "state recommended" facilities plan, Spencer County passes theirs as does Russellville. Faculty presents board with "factors to consider" in new addition to Webster County HS. New school means redistricting in Logan County.
• Commish: Frankfort/Franklin County officials trust the board, trust the search firm. Board member Hubbard wants Erwin to explain. Ashland Daily Independent reports on Fletcher's meeting with Erwin.
• Two teens arrested in $1,100 Anderson County High school "Cats Cash Bank" theft.
• In Franklin County cops lunch with kids.
• Fiscal Court helps schools afford resource officers in Jessamine County.
• Anderson News tests local folks on 20-item 5th grade CATS exam; Asst Supt scores 13. Take the test.
• Attny Gen says EKU does not have to provide documents in Model School investigation of inappropriate E-mails by teacher.
• Pistol packing Momma pleads not guilty in Fairview.
• Appalachian News-Express calls Pike County teacher layoffs necessary.
• "Everybody knows that smoking ain't allowed in school." Dixie Heights installs detectors.
• Covington's Sixth District Elementary School's centennial celebration May 7th.
• Thomas More College to offer a Master of Arts in Teaching program this fall.
• Newport's billboard fund-raiser nixed.
• Ex-Bengal's wife accused of sexual contact with Covington Catholic minor.
• Erlanger Prom Style 2007: High color & low-top sneakers.
• Still-suspended Bellevue teacher cleared by police.
• Governor Fletcher unhappy with American Idol characterization of Letcher County.
• Booneville school shut down after two juveniles charged with making threats.
• In Fayette County: The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme comes to Tates Creek High School, J R Ewan wins VSA arts grant, Southern Middle School Math wins add up, SCAPA Claims Tenth Straight Speech Title!
• And in TEXAS...Toddler at day care hands teacher bag of cocaine.
  

School News from around Kentucky

• Ludlow Elementary students use magic to help test success. Lindemann kids are out for lunch. Alums return to help Cawood HS.
• Rudolph says Ernie Fletcher may call special session on domestic partner benefits.
• A Harlan County woman was arrested Thursday for allegedly threatening officials at Cawood Elementary School.
• Federal civil rights investigators visit Greenup County, interview players, parents and faculty; harassment allegations against former coach.
• Fewer police in Henderson County schools next year.
• Hit List found in womens restroom at Jackson County High School leads to Lock Down.
• Parent arrested at Fairview Independent board meeting for pulling a gun from her purse.
• Friday newscast from Crofton Elementary School goes live.
• Campbell County's got a new improvement plan.
• Clark County Parents speak out on school facilities plan.
• Beechwood names new Super.
• Boone County serious about keeping students in school.
• Last chance to see Highland Heights Elementary School memorabilia before it closes.
• Two Lloyd High freshman girls face possible expulsion for fake threat.

School News from around Kentucky

• First reading on expanded drug policy at Corbin HS.
• Boyle County and Danville Independent support toughter drinking ordinance.
• Frankfort Independent HS committee considers requiring upperclasspersons to eat in new cafeteria.
• Shelby County: portables now, new building later.
• Campbell County teacher returns after suspension; pays for his own anger therapy.
• Oldham County boosts security. Machine scans ID, checks sex offender registry.
• 81.4 is short-term district target in Nicholas County.
• Kentucky Schools Commissioner search follows the "Barnhart plan:" Finalists remain secret.
• Architect's report supports new gym for Owensboro HS.
• School security cameras nab computer thieves in Washington County.
• Former Jefferson County bookkeeper indicted; $34,000 in forged checks and cash.
• Lawrence County moves graduation for track finals.
• Staff Sergeant visits his kindergarten penpals at Argillite Elementary.
• Courier-Journal opines Bullitt County principal overreACTed by preventing Biblical book report.
• KDE mandates Graves County consolidation.
• Gubernatorial candidates talk up education; few specifics.