Five New Members to be Sworn In at KBE Retreat

When the Kentucky Board of Education begins their annual retreat at the Berry Hill Mansion on May 13th in Frankfort, the first order of business wil be the swearing in of five new members.

The four members whose terms ended April 14th are David Webb of Edmonson County, Janna Vice of Madison County, David Rhodes of Montgomery County, and Bonnie Lash Freeman of Jefferson County. The resignation of Keith Travis brings to five the number of Beshear appointments on a board with 12 members.

There has been some chatter surrounding the legality of appointments starting with Republican partisan blogger Brett Hall claiming that Beshear waited too long to name new members; and the governor's office saying Hall doesn't know what he's talking about. Helen Mountjoy speculated that some members might be reappointed. Who was right? Well, Hall can ramp up the rhetoric and Mountjoy might want ot polish up her crystal ball...but the governor's appointees are:

Austin W. Moss, of Hopkinsville, will represent the First Supreme Court District. Since 1995, he has served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Jennie Stuart Medical Center. The appointment replaces Keith Travis, who has resigned. Moss shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending April 14, 2010.

Dorothy “Dorie” Z. Combs, of Richmond, will represent members-at-large. She previously served on this board from June 2002 to April 2006. Combs is a professor in the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. The appointment replaces Janna Vice, whose term has expired. Combs shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

Stephen B. Neal, of Louisville, will represent members-at-large. He is the executive director of the Jefferson County Teachers Association. The appointment replaces Bonnie Lash Freeman, whose term has expired. Neal shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

Billy Harper, of Paducah, will represent members-at-large. He is the president and chief executive officer of Harper Industries, Inc., and a member of the McCracken County Board of Education The appointment replaces David Rhodes, whose term has expired. Harper shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

Brigitte B. Ramsey, of Falmouth, will represent members-at-large. She is a public policy analyst for the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and a member of the Pendleton County Board of Education. The appointment replaces David Webb, whose term has expired. Ramsey shall serve for a term expiring April 14, 2012.

This from the KDE press release:

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Board of Education will hold its annual retreat Tuesday and Wednesday, May 13 and 14, at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort.

No business will be conducted at the retreat.

The board’s goal during the retreat is to discuss a tactical plan/strategy for every school reaching proficiency by 2014.

Agenda follows.

KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MAY
13-14, 2008

MUSIC ROOM
BERRY HILL MANSION
FRANKFORT,
KENTUCKY

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

BUSINESS SESSION - FULL
BOARD
MUSIC ROOM
BERRY HILL MANSION
8:45 a.m. (EDT)

I. Swearing-in of new members

II. Call to Order

III. Roll Call

IV. Welcome and agenda overview

V. Comments from the commissioner

VI. Team building and role of state boards

Lunch
(Lunch provided for KBE members, invited guests and Commissioner's Planning Committee members only)

VII. Discussion:
What are we currently doing to get to proficiency?
A. Purpose and focus of the discussion for the next two days
B. Strategic Plan Progress Report Review

VIII. Discussion: What are our next steps to continue and to increase progress toward proficiency?
A. Commissioner's Task Force on Assessment and Accountability: Purpose and progress report on its formation
B. Blue Ribbon Panel on Interventions in Low-Performing Schools: Summary of work and recommendations

IX. Internal Board Business
A. Review of the KBE Policy Manual
B. KBE budget report
C. Review of 2008, 2009, and 2010 Meeting Dates
1. Whether to continue one-day meetings/purpose of these meetings
D. Review of Highly Skilled Educator selection process

Recess

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

BUSINESS SESSION -
FULL BOARD
MUSIC ROOM
BERRY HILL MANSION
9:00 a.m.
(EDT)

X. Discussion: What are our next steps to continue and to increase progress toward proficiency? (Theme continued from previous day)
A. Review of previous day's work
B. Future Direction
1. KDE's Current Work/Future Recommendations/KBE Small Group Work
2. Instruction & Balanced Assessment
3. Leadership
4. Low-performing schools

Lunch
(Lunch provided for KBE members, invited guests and Commissioner's Planning Committee members only)

X. Discussion:
What are our next steps to continue and to increase progress toward proficiency?
(Cont'd after lunch)
C. Future Direction (Cont'd)
1. KDE's Current Work/Future Recommendations/KBE Full Board Discussion
2. Legislation
3. KBE Recommendations

XI. Adjournment

Governor's Office: Kentucky Board of Education Appointments On the Way

Earlier today I posted a story from KyPolitics that indicated Governor Beshear had missed the boat on nominating replacements for four current members on the Kentucky Board of Education and now "lacks the ability to have any late appointments confirmed in the General Assembly that is now in regular session."

The four members in question are: David Webb of Edmonson County, Janna Vice of Madison County, David Rhodes of Montgomery County, and Bonnie Lash Freeman of Jefferson County, whose terms end April 14th.

KyPolitics argues that by statute, "unlike other board appointees that require General Assembly confirmation but can take office during the interim, the Kentucky Board of Education statutes require that Board members be confirmed prospective (sic) to their taking office...on April 15th."

In a followup conversation this afternoon with Dick Brown of the governor's media office Kentucky School News and Commentary was told that according to the interpretation of the governor's General Counsel,

"They're wrong."

It's not too late because the statute... allows that if an appointment is made when the General Assembly is not in session, then at the next convening of the General Assembly...those appointments will be...confirmed. He can fill the vacancy. Well, they're not really vacancies because the people in those positions right now continue serving until someone new is appointed. Really, the governor is looking at trying to find the absolute best possible people for these positions, and in due time, probably
the next month or so, we'll see those nominees come forward. They will be appointed by the governor. They will begin serving, and at the next time the General Assembly convenes, which would be January 09, then they would do the confirmations.

Asked for a timeline, Brown responded,

I think...we'll probably see those, easily by early summer, if not before hand.

Brown confirmed that Governor Beshear has not had a change of heart since his earlier stated disappointments with the board and when ask if he plans to replace the four members said,

Yes he does."

Board ignores experts, declares CATS test legitimate

The Kentucky Department of Education told schools across the state that the new CATS test had been changed so much that it would be technically inappropriate to compare scores from 2006 with the 2007 version.

Several testing experts, education advocates and observers have raised doubts and presented data that shows the deparment's warning to be sound.

Some have even used that data as evidence to show that the alterations to the test helped produce some of the boost in numbers - that the gains could not all be attributed to increased student achievement.

KSN&C began raising questions last spring when the test was first being administered, and without prompting, teachers were describing the new assessment as "noticably easier."

But it turns out we were all wrong...according to the Kentucky Board of Education.

State board: Higher CATS scores are legitimate
PANEL DISCOUNTS CHANGES' EFFECTS

Kentucky Board of Education members yesterday dismissed the idea that changes to state tests led to inflated scores this year. Instead, they cited more focused classroom instruction, stronger curriculums and additional teacher training for the gains at all levels.

"The assessment has not changed to the point that it's becoming easier for our students," said board member Bonnie Lash Freeman. "We're just doing a better job with where our instruction is. Our teachers are doing a wonderful job overall in preparing our students for these assessments."

At a meeting yesterday, board members heard a presentation about the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System scores, released Tuesday. A Herald-Leader analysis of test scores showed that after drastic changes to the test and a revised scoring system, scores of previously low-performing and high-performing schools improved more dramatically than in previous years...

..."If we're going to reach proficiency by the target date, we will have to experience jumps of that nature," said board member David Webb. "I hope that we see that kind of dramatic improvement everywhere."

Board members also discussed whether to continue assigning two scores to each school after next year. They did not vote on the issue, but they recommended that schools receive only the unadjusted score beginning in 2009...

...Bob Sexton of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence [correctly said], ..."No doubt there were gains. What these gains specifically are, we don't know," said Sexton. "We don't know if the numbers are exactly accurate."

Board chairman Joe Brothers said it will take a few more years to see whether the transition to the new system has been smooth. But he also thinks the latest test scores can be attributed to enhanced learning and instruction.

"We should begin to see (big gains) because we've been at this 17 years and so at some point, the momentum begins to shift," he said. "Once you get rolling, things become easier."

This from the Herald-Leader.

Through the Looking Glass with Kentucky's Board of Education members

No plans to resign with so much to do

Kentucky School Boards Association Communications Director Brad Hughes got KBE members on the record about their job performance so far...and what lies ahead. I'm going to chat through this one.

Despite some calls for their resignation, the members of the Kentucky Board of Education say they aren’t going anywhere.

Truer words were never spoken.

Rather than being defiant, most say they understand concerns over the initial search for a new education commissioner but want to complete that and other tasks confronting the state’s K-12 policy-making body.

Oh good. They understand. Pay attention to what else they say. There may be a quiz at the end.

"I plan on staying; I took a job and I’m going to do it," said Joe Brothers, the new chairman of the state board. "We’ve been looking at including the ACT and norm-referenced questions in our CATS test and a whole litany of other things all the while we’ve been conducting the search.

OK...here we go...

"Our process has been one of due diligence, attempting to ensure that we are fair and equitable.

Pull the other one.

If there was another single issue that was more obviously lacking in the Barbara Erwin debacle than the board's outsourcing of its responsibilities for due diligence, I don't know what it might be.

The board not only gave it up, but later said it was not their responsibility to check candidate references - this while conducting their most important duty of all; selecting the next education commissioner.

Due diligence is not about being fair and equitable. One must always be fair and equitable. Due diligence is about stewardship of the public trust. It is the board's duty to conduct a reasonable amount of research and analysis before entering into any kind of business transaction. It's how a reasonable person exercises care - to avoid potential harm - to the children.

By and large, I believe people understand," said Brothers, a former Elizabethtown Independent school board member and KSBA president.

No. It would be much more accurate to suggest that by and large the people don't understand - but simply feel powerless to do anything about it ...all things considered.

After controversial candidate Barbara Erwin accepted and then withdrew from the commissioner’s job, Kentucky’s two largest newspapers, The Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader, published editorials urging Gov. Ernie Fletcher to replace the entire board. The board and its search were criticized in other Kentucky newspapers, radio talk shows and Internet blogs.

Deservedly so. It would have been better if the board had fired her for her application misstatements, rather than her resigning because folks complained about them. If they had, Kentuckians might have believed the board came to its senses. Now, we still have to wait to see how the board actually behaves. Talk is useless now.

"This is about continuity. We’ve changed 10 members in the past three years," said former chairman Keith Travis of Benton.

Is he suggesting there has been continuity - while pointing out evidence to the contrary? Or is he saying that continuity has been so lacking that - even though this board hasn't performed very well - changing members again would be worse?

"(Our) role can be a lightning rod for strong emotions, but sometimes folding the tent through issues such as we’ve faced is the wrong thing to do."

Huh? The role of a board member can be lots of things, including effective. Under this board - not so much. Strong emotions resulted when the public couldn't understand why the board was so completely unable to see the obvious, and then ignored public outcry, while continuing to follow the lead of their search firm. Suggestions that the board should resign came later.

Board member and nominating committee chairman C. B. Akins said the change in the leadership should not be mistaken as a reaction to criticism.

Why not? It's the only thing that softened calls for the whole board to resign.

"Our simple agenda is to do the best we can possibly do for 650,000 kids in Kentucky. Do we care about the opinions of adults? Yes, we do. Are we here to serve adults? Not really," said Akins, of Lexington.

Oh. So, the implication is that you know what's best for kids? Kentucky's adults don't. So you care about Kentuckian's opinions. But not too much because you already know what's best... and that was Barbara Erwin. Is that it? Where's the evidence for that?

"Innuendo and assumptions are designed to cause people to lose focus. We can’t afford to do that," he said.

But the hard facts that the award-winning nominating committee and the school board chose to ignore were designed to keep the board from embarrasing themselves and this state.

When errors were first discovered, the first effort was to contact KDE Communications Director Lisa Gross in an attempt to inform the board of what was discovered and avoid the mess we just went through.

The second call went to the press. Why the second call? Because as CB suggests, the egoes of board members and other adults should be respected, but in the end, it's the kids that matter. Whether these particular adults serve as board members, doesn't matter at all. There are lots of qualified Kentuckians - who arguably might have done better.

"Certainly the change was no reflection on Keith Travis, who has done a dynamic job at great personal sacrifice and all of us owe him a great deal of gratitude for his service."

Oh yes! Stupendous! That 1-10 vote was no reflection on him. Perhaps he should get an award too. That's the ticket.

Dr. Janna Vice, a board member from Richmond, said she and her colleagues are committed to serving "with great concern and competence.

"We have very serious educational issues ahead for the board. I think the board is hoping to bring the commissioner search to fruition quickly so we can get back to task," Vice said. "Our goal is really all about the children of Kentucky."

Great...all except that one word "quickly." Quality is better than speed. And competence would be a nice change.

Disapproval misplaced?
Vice believes some of the heat the state board is taking comes from its decision to step up and take full responsibility for the first round of the commissioner search.

"We decided to take the high road and not use the search firm as a scapegoat," she said, "so we’ve been criticized for the actions of the (consultants)."

Ahhhh. So incompetence is the high road?!

Somebody ought to look up the word "scapegoat." When somebody is not at fault, but they get blamed anyway...that's a scapegoat {an object of irrational hostility}.

But in what way was Ray & Associates NOT at fault?

And if the Board is responsible for the children's best interests, why all this hand-wringing over the reputation of the search firm? They are arguably the only group who faired worse than the board in the whole mess.

As for taking responsibiltiy...I DO think I heard the board express that - once.

But what I hear from the board with much greater frequency are excuses, blaming the press, bloggers and concerned citizens - anyone except themselves...and their precious search firm, who they declined to use a second time.

Doug Hubbard of Bardstown said, "The importance of the problems with the search have been exaggerated somewhat.

Protecting adult egoes again? C'mon Doug. You're the one member who knew better.

It (hiring the new commissioner) all has to do with reaching proficiency by 2014 and that’s what we need to get back to doing."

That is the reason the board hired a consultant in the first place, according to David Rhodes of Mount Sterling. "We went with a national search firm so the board would have time to continue working with our staff on that goal of proficiency by 2014," he said. "We’re going to continue with that focus along with searching for a new commissioner."

So...remind me...how'd that work out?

David Webb of Brownsville said, "Obviously, some mistakes have been made, but we’re picking up and moving on.

Obviously.

I have confidence in the other board members that we will attack the leadership problem in a very aggressive manner."

Despite the criticisms, Louisville board member Jeanne Ferguson is "delighted everyone is so concerned about education. That’s why we’re staying; that’s the hope of the future."

...springs eternal.

Beyond the search

Several KBE members point out that the state board is working on issues besides the commissioner search – from integrating the ACT test into the CATS school accountability process to setting school funding priorities for consideration in the 2008 legislative session.

"The commissioner search is one of the most important things that we are doing because our decision will leave a legacy for all of the children and students in Kentucky," said Bonnie Lash Freeman, another KBE member from Louisville, "but we do have a lot more to think about (and) a lot more to contribute."

Judy Gibbons, a board member from Lakeside Park, echoed Freeman on the board’s to-do list.

"I’m not sure that people realize the extent of the work that board members put into understanding the issues and focusing on what needs to be done to advance education in Kentucky," she said. "There are some weeks when it’s a full-time job. There is an unbelievable amount of material to understand. We always try to think, ‘Is this the best for all students? Is this fair for all students?’"

Kaye Baird, a former Pikeville Independent board member prior to her state appointment, said she and her colleagues "are ready to move on to other things.

You gotta know that's true.

"We are a group of very conscientious people. We were trying to do the right thing (in hiring Erwin), but things did not unfold in the way we thought they would," Baird said. "We need to get on with the business of the education of children. That’s what we are all about."

And, I'm sure that's true as well.

But as the board goes on with its important business...maybe they might lighten up on the excuses. They don't accept excuses from school personnel. Why should Kentuckians have to listen to excuses from them?
~

Photo: Newly-elected KBE Chairman Joe Brothers (center) and re-elected Vice Chairwoman Bonnie Lash Freeman at the August state board meeting. Interim Education Commissioner Kevin Noland is at left.

More on the politics of Joe Brothers KBE Chairmanship

Mark Hebert give the political perspective in his post...

Travis Out, Brothers In
at State Board of Education

In a stunning rebuke to its chairman, the Kentucky Board of Education has replaced Keith Travis as chairman, voting 10-1 for Joe Brothers to take over the chairmanship.

The only vote against Brothers was by Travis who said he wasn't opposing the new leadership, just casting a warning signal for the state school board to maintain its independence from outside interests. That appeared to be a shot at Governor Fletcher, though Travis wouldn't say what interests he was talking about.

Fletcher told reporters he was pulled in to the board's decision to oust Travis by other members of the board who called him "asking if Joe Brothers would be a good chairman." Fletcher told them he would, giving the blessing for his appointees to the board to vote for Brothers instead of Travis.

Fletcher says he didn't campaign for Brothers but would always expect to play some role in such an important decision made by a board filled with his appointees. Brothers was originally appointed by Fletcher. Travis has been on the board 10 years, 3 as chairman, and was originally appointed by Gov. Paul Patton.

Brothers appeared to be trying to pull the fractured school board back together in his remarks at today's board meeting. He said his only agenda is helping Kentucky kids. He called Travis "one of my favorite people" and asked the audience to give the outgoing chairman a second round of applause, which they did.

But a couple minutes before that the room was icy as Brothers and Travis got up to switch seats, Brothers taking over the chairmanship. The two didn't shake hands and only spoke briefly to gather their belongings and nameplates.

Travis' tenure as chairman began to unravel after he pushed through the hiring of Barbara Erwin as Kentucky's new school commissioner. Erwin never started her job, withdrawing from the post after questions about her resume, dealings with former school boards and a criminal investigation of her personnel file, which was stolen from her former school district in Illinois. The question now is whether Travis was set up for failure by Fletcher or fellow board members and whether Brothers can do any better to try and restore the school board's lost credibility.
~
An expanded story from the Courier-Journal:

Education board replaces chairman

Action follows failed search for state commissioner

...Several board members acknowledged yesterday that the failed search for a new commissioner played a role in the board's decision to replace Travis.

"We had gone through a very difficult time in which we became divided, and maybe this will give us an opportunity to move forward together easier," said Doug Hubbard, a board member from Bardstown.

Travis said he was "a little surprised" that he did not receive a nomination to return as chairman for a fourth year.

"Obviously, when you go through a challenging period, it has implications," Travis said. "I knew there were some concerns."

Travis and other board members have criticized the search firm involved in the failed attempt to find a new commissioner, but some board members also said that a lack of board leadership was partly to blame.

Last May, the board voted 10-0 to name Illinois educator Barbara Erwin as the state's next commissioner. But after a series of revelations about her background, Erwin resigned three days before she was to begin the job.

Critics say Ray and Associates, the Iowa search firm the board hired to produce a list of candidates, should have vetted Erwin more closely and targeted problems more quickly.

But they also say that board members failed to do their job, ignoring concerns raised by the media and the public over Erwin's resume, which contained an award she hadn't won and a presentation she never made, and her reputation for running roughshod over teachers and administrators when she was a superintendent in Texas, Arizona and Illinois.

Brothers said he "detected a need for someone to step forward" after Erwin's resignation and expressed an interest in the chairmanship post.

"It was a tough decision for me, because I have the greatest degree of respect for Keith," Brothers said. "But … sometimes you need to make a change (in order) to move on to the future and that is what we are trying to do here."

Asked if Travis was being punished for the failed search, Brothers said no.

"As a board, we all have to take responsibility for voting to bring (Erwin) here," he said...
~

And this from the News-Enterprise.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Joe Brothers says years on the Elizabethtown Independent School’s board will help as he advances to the chairmanship of the Kentucky Board of Education.

Among his new duties is conducting a search for a new education commissioner. “It’s obviously a big responsibility,” Brothers said.

Brothers, who only joined the state board last year, was elected Wednesday as chairman by a 10-1 vote. The only dissent was cast by the displaced chairman, Keith Travis.

Travis, who served on the board for a decade, including the last three years as chairman, said he was “maybe somewhat surprised” by the board’s decision to oust him.

“There’s an end to every leadership activity, so those things happen,” Travis said.

The board is recovering from the controversial hiring and eventual resignation of Barbara Erwin as education commissioner. The Illinois educator quit three days before she was to start after questions arose about her resumé and a police investigation at her former school district.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said he was “very pleased” with the board’s decision to install Brothers, whom he appointed to the board in February 2006, as chairman. Board members had approached Fletcher with Brothers as a potential candidate, Fletcher said, and he supported him.

“I think I should be involved in that. We appoint the board members, we’re responsible for 58 percent of the budget, at least,” Fletcher said. “Yes, I’m going to have a hand in those decisions, absolutely.”

Board member Doug Hubbard, who publicly was hesitant about hiring Erwin, said he thought that episode factored into the panel’s decision in favor of Brothers.“We had gone through a very clear time in which we had become divided, and I think that maybe this gives us an opportunity to move forward easier together,” Hubbard said.

David L. Webb, a board member from Brownsville, said Brothers is driven by what is best for children.“I have all the confidence that Mr. Brothers will do an outstanding job as chairman,” he said.

Webb said hiring a commissioner is the biggest task facing the board, and he feels Brothers will work with board “aggressively” to do so. In addition to finding a commissioner, Brothers said his other primary goal for the board is to achieve student proficiency in all schools by 2014.

Brothers, whose term runs through 2010, said he decided in the last couple of months, he would be willing to serve as chairman“I had to do a lot of thinking about it,” he said because of the responsibility the position entails.

Brothers is local plant manager for Gates Corp. He was an EIS school board member for about 19 years.Brothers said his years as an EIS board member serve as excellent training for his service on the state board, which develops regulations for public schools and directs the Kentucky Department of Education.Knowing how local boards work, as well as people he has met during his stint on the EIS school board, helps him serve on the state board, he said.

The board has 12 voting members; 11 of whom are appointed by the governor. Seven represent the state Supreme Court districts, four represent the state at large and the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education is a nonvoting member, according to the KDE Web site.

More photos from Ky.gov here.

Heir-apparent Mooneyhan was a contributor to David Williams

Rumors of a secret meeting between Senate President David Williams, Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly and a select group of Kentucky Board of Education members persist - but have also been denied.

Now it turns out that Leon Mooneyhan was a $500 contributor to David Williams 2005 campaign (11/11/2005), despite the fact that Williams and Mooneyhan live in different districts. This is not to suggest any impropriety. As senate president, Williams's reach is statewide. I'm sure he does lots of good for lots of folks.

The rumor is of a "secret meeting" before the board of education met on Saturday July 14, possibly involving David Webb, David Rhodes, Joe Brothers... All denied.

So...it's still just a rumor and shouldn't be believed. Right?

But immediately, Leon Mooneyhan's name surfaced as the choice for interim commissioner along with the rumor of the secret meeting. He says he was negotiating with Board Chair Keith Travis for the commissioner's job on Tuesday July 17.

On Thursday July 19, Doug Hubbard called for an emergency meeting to sign the deal. Some have suggested the hasty meeting may have been seen as desirable specifically because certain board members wouldn't be able to make it. All rumor, of course. But due to the notification requirements of the Open Meetings Act, that effort failed.

The board is now set to meet on Saturday at 10AM. The agenda calls for a closed session to consider both the interim and the permanent positions.

It is expected that Leon Mooneyhan will be named interim Commish. It is unclear if Mooneyhan will also be under consideration for the permanent post.

And think. Mooneyhan's name sprung to life from a meeting that never took place. I'm sure there's no story here. Just business as usual.

Speaking of business as usual, Mooneyhan indicated to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance that he was the Executive Director of KSBA at the time - a position he has never held. Brad Hughes, KSBA's Communications Director told Kentucky School News and Commentary that he "...has never been on the KSBA staff in any position..."

Wow! Another successful search. I wonder who will receive awards this time?

Two Kentucky Board of Education members push for new school chief

Look for a larger story in Sunday's Courier-Journal, but it looks like the firing squad has started to form a circle.

I'm going to chat through today's story by Antoinette Konz of the Courier-Journal: My comments in red italics.

2 push for new school chief

Board's credibility hurt, they contend

At least two state school board members are pushing to quickly name a new interim education commissioner, saying the failed search for an education chief has damaged the board's credibility.

True...but what matters now is that the board responds effectively - and apolitically.

State board member Doug Hubbard of Bardstown acknowledged yesterday that he sought an emergency meeting for tonight to possibly name an interim commissioner. But the attempt failed because there wasn't enough time to notify the public as required by Kentucky's open meetings law.

...[Y]esterday, Hubbard said the board needs to take swift action to counter Friday's sudden resignation of Barbara Erwin as incoming education commissioner.

As many as 7 board members may have had doubts about Erwin going into the May Board meeting, but Hubbard was apparently the only one to speak out about his doubts. The rest appear to have been convinced by Erwin and Travis.

"I believe it is a sense of urgency that we get someone in there as quickly as possible who has an educational background and can help us restore some credibility," Hubbard said. "Kevin Noland has done a great job thus far, but he is our lawyer and we need to get him back into litigation."

OK, but let's not forget 24 hours notice and a quorum...and the interim needs to be someone who will exclude themselves for consideration for the permanent position. Otherwise, it will become a knee jerk decision that scares off other qualified candidates.

Board member David Webb of Brownsville, said he agreed with Hubbard that there is a sense of urgency to name an interim chief.

"We are in a situation where we thought we had a commissioner, and then we didn't have one," Webb said. "We … need to determine where we are."

Webb said he is "very disappointed with a long list of organizations and individuals" regarding the Erwin resignation, although he wouldn't name them.

Oh no! Not again! Is Webb inferring, like Erwin did, that the fault lies with those who reported her problems? Or is the real problem - her problems? What is he disappointed about? Would Webb have us believe that, today, Kentucky would be better off with Barbara Erwin, and an ignorant public? Pulllleeeze. If that's what he believes - he STILL doesn't get it.

Chairman Keith Travis said yesterday he was not in favor of having the emergency meeting because he and several other board members would not be able to make it.

Travis said he has been trying to schedule a meeting where all board members can be present to talk about the interim position.

"Right now, we are looking at July 31," he said.

Good.

Hubbard said he is concerned about the amount of time the board lost while they were pursuing Erwin and waiting for her to start.

"We have wasted the last three months talking to her, and I think we have lost a lot of credibility as a board because of what happened," he said. "We need to move forward and restore our credibility."

True. But that is water over the dam. Get it right next time.
~

It doesn't sound like Mr. Webb, or perhaps some others,

will be interested in my advice...but here it is anyway.

• Focus on doing it right this time.
• Rethink the board's leadership. Either redirect it, or replace it.
• If you're comfortable with your applicants for the interim job by July 31st - say a well-known former Kentucky superintendent (or KDE, OEA honcho) who has the confidence of his or her peers AND who WILL NOT BE a candidate for the permanent position) then pick one.
• Then, take your time with the new search. Get beyond the governor's race. Use a search firm to help you, or don't - but check things out for yourself, too. (Nor Ray & associates, please.)Ask the hard questions. (The kinds of problems Barbara Erwin had were discoverable in a few hours...but only if you looked.)
• If you want to limit your search to Kentucky, OK, but I don't see the advantage. Remember, Erwin's problems had nothing to do with her being from out of state. There may be some Kentucky folks who could do a good job. I just wonder how deep that pool really is.
• Remember, any school leader worth a nickle will have disputes on their record. That's not the problem. Look into the nature of those disputes and check out any patterns of behavior revealed by the data. A leader who takes tough stands, for the benefit of kids, is not a problem - he or she is probably a leader.
• Defend your turf. The board is probably feeling a bit vulnerable right now, so it's extra important to resist being "invaded by another branch of government."
• Announce your finalists and leave a few weeks for the public, legislators and school folks to check them out and respond.
• Listen.
• Try to "get over" whatever residual resentment you may have for those organizations and individuals who criticized that last go-round and enlist them to help.
• Listen some more.
• Share appropriate information with the public through the press.

That's how you will re-establish credibility.

But if the board is not going to do that...

• IF the rumors of a secret meeting between a few state senators and a few board members is true
• IF those senators are trying to eliminate qualified candidates with whom they have had disagreements (or say, lawsuits)
• IF they are in fact trying to chose the next commissioner

THEN

• Do us all a favor and resign
• Because you will only become the pawn of someone else
• You'll never get your credibility back
• You won't deserve to
• And you will only continue to be disappointed in a large number of organizations and individuals
• While those with their hands on the chess pieces sit back and smile.