KBE refuses payment to Ray and Associates, says botched search produced Erwin.

See at the bottom of this Post:

Kentucky School News and Commentary's

June interview with Dr. Gary Ray

~

Good job by Raviya Ismail this morning @ the Herald-Leader, reporting:

Search firm is refused payment
Consultant failed to do job

The state is refusing to pay bills submitted by a consulting firm that conducted a failed search for a new education commissioner earlier this year, and the two sides are fighting over the money in court.

State officials say the consulting firm, Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, conducted an "unsuccessful and discredited search" marred by a lack of thoroughness and accuracy in checking the candidates' backgrounds...

Here's the search firm backstory from C-J and KSN&C and KSN&C's Barbara Erwin Timeline

On August 14th, Interim Commissioner Kevin Noland wrote to Ray & Associates President Gary Ray, noting the Board's initial payment of $15,030.44 but that the firm's "lack of thoroughness and accuracy," resulted in "an unsuccessful and discredited search," that cost the state seven months.

Noland then let Ray know that he could stop checking the mail for the $33,734.77 balance - it wasn't coming.

"We feel that because they didn't deliver a qualified successful candidate that they did not fulfill their end of the contract," Noland, interim commissioner and legal counsel for the board, said in an [H-L] interview yesterday. Ray and Associates "did not do a thorough vetting of the candidates that they recommended to us. It resulted in the problems that we had, and doing the search over."

On August 27th, Gary Ray responded by citing the firm's patience, professionalism and determination to get paid. Ray claimed they had "fulfilled all obligations" and even "exceeded usual and customary services by continuing to answer questions and inquiries submitted ...by the Board of Education even after the new commissioner was hired."

Ray asserted that the board conducted interviews, noted "extreme scrutiny by the media and many other entities," but the board hired her anyway. He stopped short of claiming that the extreme scrutiny came from Ray & Associates.

We feel we conducted a solid search, brought them good candidates and they made a choice," William Newman, national executive director of Ray and Associates told the Courier-Journal in late July.

Erwin's file included her application, resume, a reference sheet with eight names, a summary sheet from the firm and 16 letters of reference from former school board members, teachers and principals. None of the letters, nor any information in the summary report, contained criticism concerning Erwin's tenure.

Newman said the firm did not provide the board with any negative comments regarding Erwin because "there were not any negatives we had a real concern about."

In mid July, Mark Hebert had reported:

According to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office, the I.R.S. has a lien on Ray and Associates because the company has failed to pay more than $5700 in federal taxes. ... [An] Iowa state web site also shows that Ray and Associates was administratively dissolved in 1994 and hasn't been in good standing with the state of Iowa since then." Until Mark told them...they didn't know it!

But with some pluck, Ray & Associates filed suit in Franklin County Circuit Court to compel payment of $50,000 they say they earned. Gary Ray says he is defending the firm's reputation.

Civil Action # 07-CI-1527 (20 September) claims that Ray & Associates:

• entered into a personal service contract with the Kentucky Board of Education


• identified individuals who were qualified to be candidates for Education commissioner


• that on May 9, KBE appointed Barbara Erwin


• that KBE made the first payment but 33,734.77 is still due


• that KBE has breeched their contract


• that Ray & Associates wants a 12% per month penalty for late payments since July

On October 12th, the Kentucky Board of Education responded with a counterclaim:

• that Ray & Associates "breached its contractual duties...by failing to adequately investigate the background of Barbara Erwin and discover or disclose serious inaccuracies in her resume and a history of problems at other school districts where this candidate previously served.


• KBE admits it entered into a contract, but Ray & Associates failed to thoroughly and accurately screen Barbara Erwin


• that Erwin declined to accept the position on July 13th, "before she assumed her duties and before any paperwork was processed that would have officially made her an employee of the Commonwealth..."


• that her failure to assume the position meant that Ray & Associates was not due any payment, "or it constitutes a frustration of purpose for the contract."


• that Erwin was selected, but never assumed her duties as a result of Ray & Associates failures and breach of contract


• that Ray & Associates owes the Commonwealth all monies paid and damages


• that Ray & Associates failed in its obligation to serve "in good faith"


• that Ray & Associates "knew or should have known that Barbara Erwin made several false misstatements on her resume"


• including: Supt of Year award from an organization that does not give such an award; claiming conference presentations she did not make; that the Scottsdale Board of education bought out her contract to get rid of her (KSN&C could never confirm this one); the St Charles investigation over her missing personnel file


• that Ray & Associates either failed to investigate or was so eager to receive its commission that it failed to reveal "significant facts"


• that Ray & Associates had claimed to be 100% successful in their searches and their proposal included a satisfaction guarantee that Ray & Associates breached


• and therefore, Ray & Associates should provide the Commonwealth a full refund, and interest

The H-L article also notes

State Board Chairman Joe Brothers said the search firm promised the board candidates that were highly qualified and reputable.

"We were assured there would not be anything that would surface that would embarrass the state in the process of hiring any applicant that they brought to us," he said. "The taxpayers and the state of Kentucky should not be paying for this
service."

Attorney Robert C. Moore of Frankfort-based Hazelrigg & Cox is representing the search firm and said the board had plenty of opportunity to select another candidate.

"It's extremely odd that the Board of Education didn't pay the remaining amount due on the contract when they actually hired the candidate that was identified by Ray and Associates," he said.

It will be interesting to see how the court looks at this situation. Ray & Associates clearly fell short of fulfilling its obligations to the citizens of Kentucky, and in my opinion, should withdraw the complaint. We are a long way from 100% satisfaction. Failing that, they should lose the case.

But the board of education failed, too. In my view, whatever redress may be indicated should be supplied apolitically, for the benefit of Kentucky's children and in support of competent government. Given plenty of reason to be suspicious of Ray & Associates assurances, the board chose instead to believe what they wished to be true.

Unfortunately, my concerns about Ray & Associates were largely confirmed by a conversation I had with Dr. Gary Ray in early June. My read is that the firm's performance departed from the promise to provide professional and reliable service.

I'm am quite certain the firm was effective at collecting and organizing material supplied to them by the candidate. Clearly they were less inclined to invest the half hour it would have taken to reveal a pattern of specific concerns about Barbara Erwin.

It also seems clear that they had something to sell.

KSN&C Interview with Dr. Gary Ray, June 7th

(After identifying one another)

Kentucky School News and Commentary: I'm not sure if you are aware that Dr. Erwin listed some things on her resume that have not been verifiable.

Dr Gary Ray: "I'm not sure where you get that. We had a couple questions; some people might have said that, and everything's been verified as much as possible, I mean they have been accurate, so I'd like to know a little bit more specific what you're asking about."

KSN&C: Sure, well...

Ray: "I mean, you know, just to make that statement wouldn't necessarily be a; that's a pretty broad statement, so I'd like to know just exactly what you're asking about."

(So, KSN&C listed

• ...Claimed to be a presenter at the 2006 Triple I Conference


• Claimed AASA Exec Board 10 years


• Claimed she was still on the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce


• Has not yet explained how she received an Indiana teaching certificatebefore her IU diploma
  
• Claims of post doctoral degrees from USC and Columbia.)

KSN&C: Is that something you would typically do; to do degree verifications?

Ray: "Yeah, we would be able to do that. I tell ya, the person I could have you talk with, because he has verified her resume and has done a good job in that regard, would be Dr. Don Cusmo, and if I can get your name and number, I'll just have Don call you."

(We exchanged contact information)

Ray: Have you spoken with her?

KSN&C: I have not. I have written to her but haven't heard back yet.

(We exchanges pleasantries about the time of year and how busy everyone was)

KSN&C: Let me make you aware of another thing that concerns me, but that I also have not been able to confirm yet. One of the items she had to complete on her background check as part of her application in Kentucky was whether or not she had ever been involved in litigation. And I didn't know if you all were aware that she was sued by [a] board [member] in Arizona, but yet, she marked that she had not been [sued], on her application.

Ray: Uh huh, well, I think there's a story that goes with that... I'm pretty comfortable that she's OK with that...

KSN&C: So you guys are aware of that.

Ray: "Sure. You know people can make claims all the time..."

(and he told the story of a case where a reporting error got into print where a claim of a lawsuit just wasn't true.) Understand, these things, kind of, not always are on the surface, what they might appear to be."

KSN&C: Sure. I certainly understand that and that's why it's so important to verify this stuff. This is an important position for us in Kentucky and my concern is that there appear to be a few of these and that's an uncomfortable pattern.

Ray: "Yeah, I think you'll find when it's all done, it will shake out very well."

JCPS to Consider Three Firms for Superintendent Search

Ray & Associates on Short List !?

This from Toni Konz at C-J:

Despite pleas for the Jefferson County Board of Education to reverse its decision to fire Superintendent Sheldon Berman, the board is moving forward with plans to replace him and will interview three executive search firms next week to aid them in their quest for a new leader.

One of the three firms the board will interview during a special meeting Wednesday is Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which helped the Kentucky Board of Education choose Illinois educator Barbara Erwin as the state’s new education commissioner in 2007, only to have her resign three days before she was to start work following revelations about her background, including that parts of her resume were inaccurate...

Kentucky's experience with Ray & Associates was disappointing to say the least. The state board's decision to conduct a secret search prompted alarm from Mark Hebert and caught the interest of bloggers at KSN&C and the Bluegrass Institute. Vetting by the bloggers revealed a series of resume errors and exaggerations. By contrast, the search firm's confidential files, obtained by KSN&C, revealed a process that was more promotional than critical. Much of the firm's effort involved selling candidates to the board. It didn't turn out well. Following a contentious period of suit and counter suit, KDE settled with Ray & Associates for $25,500, about half of the amount the company was demanding. Kentucky was not the only place things with the search firm went wrong.

Once a firm is selected, Imhoff said it will immediately begin working to develop a process for selecting a superintendent, including recruiting candidates, checking their backgrounds and negotiating a contract.

The three firms being considered are well-known across the country, and two have prior connections to Kentucky.

Ray and Associates was hired by the Kentucky Board of Education in 2007, but after Erwin resigned, state board members criticized Ray and Associates for not vetting her more closely and not informing them of them of her troubled reputation in previous school districts, including allegations that she had run roughshod over teachers and administrators when she was a superintendent in Texas, Arizona and Illinois. Ray and Associates countered that the firm did its job, saying they checked everything they were asked to check.

Greenwood/Asher & Associates also has prior experience in Kentucky. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education hired the firm in 2008 to help search for its new president, which resulted in the hiring of Robert King.

Greenwood showed weaknesses similar to those of Ray & Associates when it failed to discover to creationist writings of Commissioner finalist Dennis Cheek. The revelations made public by KSN&C about Dennis Cheek should never have been news to the board, or the Greenwood, but they were. Fortunately, by that time, the board of education was listening and Cheek was not selected.

The Kentucky Board of Education also hired the firm in 2009 to search for an education commissioner, which resulted in the hiring of Terry Holliday. And the University of Kentucky recently hired the firm to help find a replacement for president Lee Todd, who is leaving when his contract expires in June.

Imhoff said he’s not sure how much hiring a search firm will cost the district.

“We don’t have a budget on how much to spend,” he said. “Whether we hire a firm will depend on whether we feel they are a good fit and whether their cost is reasonable.”

Thomas Jacobson, the owner and chief executive officer of McPherson and Jacobson, said his firm has aided in more than 400 superintendent and executive searches in the past 20 years, for both small and large school districts.

“There are two things that distinguish us from other firms,” he said. “The first thing is that we believe in a very transparent search process with a high involvement of stakeholders. The other thing is that everyone who works for us has been or is involved with public education.”

Jacobson said his firm prides itself of properly vetting all candidates — both those who are recruited and those who apply for the job independently.

“We have an extensive process of vetting candidates,” he said. “It’s a very important part of the process.”

Calls made Friday to Gary Ray, president of Ray and Associates, and Jan Greenwood, president and chief executive officer of Greenwood/Asher, were not returned.

The lesson from all of this is that search firms can not be trusted to thoroughly vet candidates. Boards may need a firm to handle screening and making arrangements for interviews, etc., but in the end, the board must vet the candidates on their own. The Board can not outsource its responsibility to the public.

Confidential Candidate File for Barbara Erwin accentuates the positive, eliminates the negative - reveals Error #7

When the Kentucky Board of Education ratified Dr. Barbara Erwin as Kentucky's next Commissioner of Education, her previously "confidential candidate file" became a public document.

Mark Hebert from WHAS got a copy a couple of weeks ago and had already prepared me for what I was going to see; a very one-sided sales job that is much more of a promotional piece than it is a critical, or balanced, look at the candidate.

It accentuates the positive and eliminates the negative.

The Ray & Associates "confidential report" to the Kentucky Board of Education includes:

• A 2-page summary of Erwin's career (with 4 references: James Gaffney, St Charles; Kristy Ryan, Scottsdale; Worley Stein, Allen; Carolyn Warner, Phoenix.)
• A 2-page letter from Dr. Erwin
• A 4-page application (with 3 more references: Sue Ellen Reed, Indiana; Mike Moses, Texas, Clem Mejia, Illinois.)
• An 8-page resume
• A page containing the names of 3 more references (Lance Boxer, New Jersey; Phyllis Usher, Indiana; Betty Poindexter, Indiana.)
• And reference letters from: Phyllis Usher, Carolyn Warner, Glen W. "Max" McGee, Clem Mejia, Ginny Waller, Mary Jo Knipp, Melanie Raczkiewicz, Charlotte Pilot, Kay harmless, Larry Hyde, Robert Miller, James Breen, Kristy Ryan, David Goldstaub, Sandra Dowling, and Barbara Newby.

The sum of the material paints a glowing picture of Dr. Erwin's career and credentials.

According to the Ray & Associates summary, in Indiana, she "advanced rapidly" and left "an impressive legacy" of achievement. Allen "flourished," experienced "solid growth in student achievement" where scores "rose dramatically," the district received an Exemplary rating, and Erwin was touted as "a savior." Ray lists the much disputed two superintendent of the year awards in Texas. In Arizona, Erwin was said to have "hit the road running," to overcome the district's many problems. Ray says "The board and Erwin worked well together," restored "public confidence" and that scores "rose dramatically." In St Charles, Ray noted Erwin addressed preexisting problems with test scores, curriculum issues, mold in a high school. Test scores have "risen steadily," curriculum issues "solved," and mold "no longer a problem."

They summarized Erwin's attributes including: hiring quality people; strong interpersonal skills; work ethic; outstanding oral and written communicator; cited her numerous presentations at state and national level; keeps the board well-informed; collaborative leadership; encourages everyone to speak his or her mind; believes information is power and she gives power to everyone; passionate; and assertive.

In fact, I couldn't find a single sentence

that might give a Kentucky school board member pause.

There was one sentence: "Dr. Erwin's school board was split on a number of issues and remains deeply entrenched in controversy regarding district boundaries." ...but blame is laid on the board; never Erwin.


No wonder the Kentucky Board of Education felt secure in their choice, despite warnings from others.


There is no evidence that Ray & Associates looked at the public record from newspapers or any outside sources representing the public interest. Maybe they did. Maybe they shared information verbally and privately with board members. But, it sure doesn't show up in the report.


The Ray & Associates Website describes their process this way:

Background Investigations: Ray and Associates, Inc. makes every effort to ensure our clients that the candidates recommended for consideration are exactly who they say they are. Careful screening and background checks are essential to this process. Our firm provides our clients with detailed information on each semi-finalist in addition to all other application materials. This information relies upon many hours of research and investigation. No attempts are made to conceal anything from our clients. In fact, our clients often remark that they are very impressed with how much they actually learn about candidates before ever meeting them.

Yesterday, Kentucky School News and Commentary spoke with Dr. Gary Ray, of Ray & Associates on the record.

Kentucky School News and Commentary: I'm not sure if you are aware that Dr. Erwin listed some things on her resume that have not been verifiable.

Dr Gary Ray: "I'm not sure where you get that. We had a couple questions; some people might have said that, and everything's been verified as much as possible, I mean they have been accurate, so I'd like to know a little bit more specific what you're asking about."

KSN&C: Sure, well...

Ray: "I mean, you know, just to make that statement wouldn't necessarily be a; that's a pretty broad statement, so I'd like to know just exactly what you're asking about."

(So KSN&C listed ...
Claimed to be a presenter at the 2006 Triple I Conference
Claimed AASA Exec Board 10 years
Claimed she was still on the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce
Has not yet explained how she received an Indiana teaching certificate
before her IU diploma
Claims of post doctoral degrees from USC and Columbia.)

KSN&C: Is that something you would typically do; to do degree verifications?

Ray: "Yeah, we would be able to do that. I tell ya, the person I could have you talk with, because he has verified her resume and has done a good job in that regard, would be Dr. Don Cusmo, and if I can get your name and number, I'll just have Don call you."

(We exchanged contact information)

Ray: Have you spoken with her?

KSN&C: I have not. I have written to her but haven't heard back yet.

(We exchanges pleasantries about the time of year and how busy everyone was)

KSN&C: Let me make you aware of another thing that concerns me, but that I also have not been able to confirm yet. One of the items she had to complete on her background check as part of her application in Kentucky was whether or not she had ever been involved in litigation. And I didn't know if you all were aware that she was sued by [a] board [member] in Arizona, but yet, she marked that she had not been [sued], on her application.

Ray: Uh huh, well, I think there's a story that goes with that... I'm pretty comfortable that she's OK with that...

KSN&C: So you guys are aware of that.

Ray: "Sure. You know people can make claims all the time..." (and he told the story of a case where a reporting error got into print where a claim of a lawsuit just wasn't true.) Understand, these things, kind of, not always are on the surface, what they might appear to be."

KSN&C: Sure. I certainly understand that and that's why it's so important to verify this stuff. This is an important position for us in Kentucky and my concern is that there appear to be a few of these and that's an uncomfortable pattern.

Ray: "Yeah, I think you'll find when it's all done, it will shake out very well."

~

Is it possible the Erwin was not actually sued in Arizona?

This seemed highly unlikely. The Arizona Republic made at least a half dozen references to the suit. This one from Oct 26, 2004:

U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg filed a ruling Oct. 15 [2004] that dismissed Schild's civil rights lawsuit against the Phoenix law firm Lewis & Roca and its lawyers Mary Ellen Simonson and Lynne Adams.Teilborg's order was critical of Schild's lawsuit, which alleged that the Lewis & Roca attorneys, former Scottsdale Superintendent Barbara Erwin and board members Shari Avianantos, Sandra Zapien-Ferrero and Karen Beckvar conspired to gag her at board meetings in violation of the First Amendment.The judge dismissed two of Schild's four claims for relief against Lewis & Roca with prejudice. Schild can't refile those.Teilborg dismissed her other two claims without prejudice. Schild has 30 days to amend those claims and refile them, but the judge made it clear that both were "plagued" by "factual deficiencies" and that her vague allegations of "unlawful conduct" by Lewis & Roca defendants won't cut it.The judge wants specific details of what the Lewis & Roca lawyers did to violate her rights. That won't be easy for Schild to provide.

Upon investigation, Kentucky School News and Commentary found evidence of a motion hearing before Honorable James A Teilborg on 10/04/2004, where Erwin was a name defendant, at the U.S. District Court in Phoenix: styled Schild v. Erwin 2:04-cv-00910.

She was also listed in a suit against the Scottsdale district in Hills v Scottsdale Unified 2:00-cv-01087, also in U S District Court in Phoenix.

So when asked on her application if she was ever sued -

why did Barbara Erwin mark "NO"?

looks like ERROR #7

Note: I waited until 2PM today for a call back from Dr. Ray's representative, Dr. Cusmo. In fairness, Dr. Ray mentioned he is on the road. I decided to publish what I had for today. When I hear back from him I will update any "news."

Old Business: KBE Settles Suit, FCPS Testing Allegation Resolved

A couple of old stories quietly wrapped up recently.

KDE Settles Suit with Ray & Associates

While we await the naming of the new search firm to help the board of education find Kentucky's next education commissioner...

You will recall that the state refused to pay bills submitted by Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the consulting firm that conducted a failed education commissioner search that produced Barbara Erwin.

State officials said the consulting firm conducted an "unsuccessful and discredited search" marred by a lack of thoroughness and accuracy in checking the candidates' backgrounds.

Former interim Commissioner Kevin Noland wrote to Ray & Associates President Gary Ray, noting the Board's initial payment of $15,030.44 but withholding the $33,734.77 balance.

According to KDE spokesperson Lisa Gross, late last year, KDE "settled with the company for $25,500, which is actually less than was owed to the group. This amount was agreed upon by both KDE and Ray & Associates."

FCPS Testing Allegation Upheld, Resolved

One spin off of the testing allegations brought against former Booker T Washington Academy Principal Peggy Petrilli involved an allegation being made against a FCPS director.

District Director, Fabio Zuluaga reportedly came into a classroom minutes after students completed the day's testing and began looking through student test booklets. The classroom teacher reportedly advised Zuluaga that it was a violation of testing protocols but according to the report, Zuluaga stated that he was “checking for completion” and continued to look through the booklets.

FCPS did not respond to a KSN&C request to address the accuracy of this report.

The teacher reported the event to the Building Assessment Coordinator who reported it to the District Assessment Coordinator. The district reported the violation to the state.

According to Lisa Gross, KDE "sent a letter to Stu Silberman in December" informing him that "The CATS Board of Review had determined that a violation of the Administration Code for Kentucky's Educational Assessment Program did occur."

Despite ignoring the teacher's warnings, the board of review found "that the violation was unintentional." Gross added, "since there was no evidence that any students gained testing advantages as a result, scores were not lowered."

"[Former] Commissioner [Jon] Draud recommend that Zuluaga participate in a minimum of three hours of Administration Code Training," Gross said.

Fayette County schools spokesperson Lisa Deffendall confirmed to KSN&C that "In accordance with the recommendations, additional training has been completed."

As KSN&C opined at the time, "a director flipping through test booklets, if full view of school faculty, staff and students, without a pencil, maybe ill-advised, inappropriate and embarrassing, but it does not rise to the level of a major violation. ... Refresher training for the director seems indicated and sufficient."

Increased pressure on school personnel to produce higher and higher numbers has proven to be counterproductive to the assessment system - which is being dismantled by the Genral Assembly at this hour. One wonders what impact testing violations, like this one, have had over time in undermining teachers' confidence in the CATS Assessment - and the public's confidence as well.

KBE Suit with Ray and Associates Stagnant

Nothing new regarding the suit between the Kentucky Board of Education and Ray & Associates. Lisa Gross informed KSN&C recently, "...after both parties engaged in some discovery, the case has been inactive for about four months."

Meanwhile, this from the Birmingham News:

School officials criticize

superintendent search firms

Previous superintendent hunts seen as costly

The president of the Birmingham Board of Education and three other board members say they don't want to pay headhunters to find the system's next schools chief.

"We had our search firm last time and it cost us a lot of money, and the search firm was not sensitive to our needs," board President W.J. Maye Jr. said. "They didn't understand the dynamics of the city, and Birmingham is a complicated city."

An Iowa-based search firm brought four semifinalists to the Birmingham school board for interviews in June 2006, including the board's ultimate choice for the post. Stan Mims, who came from O'Fallon, Ill., resigned last month as part of a settlement agreement...

...Board member Virginia Volker said she will not support hiring a search firm again. The school board paid Ray and Associates $20,000 for its work when Mims was hired. It also used a search firm to hire his predecessor in 1997.

"I will raise more heck than you have ever seen me raise," Volker said. "We have been burned two times."

In her experience, Volker said, executive search firms push certain candidates by "stacking the deck" of finalists, including only one person who meets their clients' criteria. They coach candidates for a fee, too, she said...

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.

KBE Selects Search Firm... but Doesn't Name It

At its meeting yesteray in Louisville, the Kentucky Board of Education interviewed four firms to handle the search for the next commissioner of education.

After the interviews, the board discussed the qualifications, experience and other attributes of each firm. Based on the members’ consensus scoring, one firm will be contacted and a contract negotiated for the search process.

Because of the restrictions of the Kentucky Model Procurement Code, the name of the top-scoring firm cannot be released until the terms of the contract have been established and entered into.

KSN&C has it on good authority that KDE is not even flirting with Ray & Associates. The board settled a law suit with that firm a couple of months ago, for something around $25 K. Problems surrounding the selection; public rejection; resignation of Education Commissioner candidate Barbara Erwin led to the suit.

The board had one additional agenda item for its meeting, which was held Wednesday and Thursday. The board agreed to waive the requirements relative to the timeline for graduation ceremonies outlined in state regulation (702 KAR 7:125) for the 2008-09 school year. This regulation mandates that graduation ceremonies be scheduled to occur following the completion of the instructional term. Many school districts are experiencing unanticipated hardships in scheduling the ceremonies due to large numbers of days missed because of inclement weather.

Local boards of education may ask for waivers of the regulation, and those will be reviewed by the commissioner of education.

SOURCE: KDE press release