News Headlines

Mon, March 15, 2010

• Commissioner Holliday proposes KDE, districts cut spending $68 million over coming biennium in exchange for keeping two instructional days

• Metcalfe Co. GOP legislator, school district's leaders say budget plan unfair in skipping district's Category 5 school needs (related Opinion below)

• Sixty Owensboro Ind. teachers selected for district leadership program; educators volunteer for extra training to take back to their schools ##

• Educators from Fayette Co., Mercer Co., Russell Ind. are finalists for Glasgow Ind. superintendent's job; board hopes to hire by April 19

• Community turns out to say goodbye to 83-year-old Warren Co. elementary school; $15 million replacement will have $2 million in solar panels

• Jefferson Co. high school students show fifth-graders just how cool chemistry can be; messes and fountains galore

• New technology for Glasgow Ind. High engineering class gives students powerful tool for designing their projects; local industry helps with funding

• Counselors on hand at Laurel Co. elementary after teacher killed in traffic accident; extra support called in to help grieving staff

• Students at Boone Co. elementary school preparing for trip to Washington, D.C., on an unusual lobbying mission

• Murray Ind. board gets good news about student performance on PLAN, EXPLORE: district results score in top 20 in Kentucky

• Indiana governor criticizes local school system for cutting its budget, saying district is to blame for its financial condition, not him

• Opinion: Speaker Stumbo's budget plan basing school funding on votes creates two classes of Kentucky schoolchildren

• Cautious: Robertson Co. superintendent pleased with House budget inclusion of money for replacement of 400-student school; legislators hopeful...

• ....Glasgow Ind. leaders optimistic that House budget funding for new high school remains, but area senator says it's too early to tell

• House budget that cuts public school funding includes $100,000 for church school in Breathitt Co.; Speaker Stumbo: let the courts decide constitutionality issues

• KDE leadership audit under way at state's 10 lowest-performing schools with "consequences much higher" once recommendations are made

• Calloway Co. superintendent announces plans to retire at the end of this school year; Steve Hoskins has led the district the past six years

• Corbin Ind. appeal of commissioner's ruling in Knox Co. enrollment dispute to seek sibling decision; both districts give thumbs down to mediation

• Changes in North Carolina district's national model integration plan could have implications for Jefferson Co. Schools; could be issue in board elections this fall

• Madison Co. board endorses partnership with local child care groups to improve young learners' preparation for kindergarten

• Pulaski Co. board chooses to keep spring break, push end of the school year into June to make up for missed days

• Police probe allegation that Warren Co. principal touched 10-year-old girl in inappropriate way; teacher/witness reported incident to district

• Family of Henderson Co. High student who died in accident join with civic group to create college scholarship in his honor

• AG asks for hearing delay in appeal by 1997 Heath High School shooter; case with similar request before U.S. Supreme Court

• Fayette Co. elementary school's students combine food, fun and exercise in "Fuel Up to Play 60 Challenge;" National Football League, dairy association behind program

• Combining art and economics teaches Shelby Co. elementary students about finance and fundraising for community project

Fri, March 12, 2010

• Boone Co. board spends $2.8 million on buses, equipment in case General Assembly goes after contingency funds; "We'll play their game. That's what this is all about."

• Holliday wants to delay spring student testing, with or without approval by U.S. Department of Education; will ask state board of ed for OK at April meeting

• Shelby Co. board opts to add make-up days in June, reset graduation for Saturday due to conflict with another district using same ceremony site...

• ...Berea Ind. board to consider taking part of spring break to get in time prior to testing, delay end of the year into June...

• ...Grayson Co. superintendent recommends board wait before final decision on taking part of spring break as make-up days

• Corbin Ind. board votes to appeal commissioner's freeze on non-resident enrollment with Knox Co. over impact on kindergarteners

• Cost, space among reasons Montgomery Co. superintendent opposes split board's plan to build new early learning center

• Fifteen, including three current superintendents, seek to lead Nelson Co. Schools; screening panel to submit names in two weeks

• TN foundation gives Pineville Ind. $105,000 grant to create afterschool reading skills program for elementary students

• West Virginia legislative panel kills bill to raise mandatory attendance age to 17; proposal seen as causing more harm than good

• Indiana student sues high school over long-standing graduation prayer practice; seniors vote on whether to include prayer in ceremony

• Psychologists look at causes of teacher-student sexual relationships; cases of male teacher behavior not as much in public eye as that of females

• Maysville-region district leaders worry about House budget, loss of two instructional days; boards, superintendents face tough choices if bill becomes law...

• ...legislative leaders hear objections to cutting two days to balance budget, but call for other ideas from educators

• Senate ed committee approves one-time aid so schools that closed due to high H1N1 flu absenteeism won't lose state funds...

• ...and panel also approves measure ordering KDE to beef up technical education tracks, encourage partnerships between schools, businesses...

• ...House labor committee passes collective bargaining bill for school, local government workers but sponsor sees "uphill battle..."

• ...while Senate passes Race to the Top companion bill to create new teaching certification alternative

• Petitioners working toward deadline to force referendum on Taylor Co. board's nickel tax; signatures must be turned in to county clerk by March 26

• West Virginia first state to gain federal money to turn around lowest-performing schools; $22 million likely to be used for options of replacing principals or teachers

• Crisis team activated after Daviess Co. middle school student dies in hit-and-run accident; training in place for just such situations ##

• Ex-Caldwell Co. teacher/coach drops appeal of firing, pleads guilty in "doctor shopping" drug case; gives up teaching certificate to avoid prison ##

• Russell Co. gifted and talented students get hands-on introduction to Japanese culture; UK Asia Center and Japanese Outreach staff assist

• Scott Co. board extends school year into second week of June to make up for days of cancelled classes so far

Thu, March 11, 2010

• Harlan Co. officials hopeful that House budget will prevail in providing $11 million to replace 64-year-old elementary school in flood plain...

• ...Paducah-area legislators see budget through different glasses: don't fund any projects versus replace old schools based on need ##

• State board of ed calls on legislators not to cut two school days, find other options for balancing state budget for next two years

• Ed Commissioner Holliday continues apology road tour over lowest-performing schools list; Metcalfe Co. educators told "I see great instruction going on here"

• Bowling Green Ind. board agrees to leave spring break alone, add make-up days to end of the year; last day will still be in May

• Mason Co. board OKs pushing high school graduation back one day due to conflict with KHSAA spring sports championships...

• ...while loss in regional championship ball game ends in runner-up trophy left behind at Mason Co. High; Clark Co. official surprised, will claim award

• Easing student transition behind plan to merge Owensboro Ind. middle school, fifth grade/sixth grade center into one school, two campuses ##

• Knox Co. board talks but takes no action on state order freezing non-resident enrollment deal with Corbin Ind., requirement for mediation

• Ex-Webster Co. Schools' maintenance secretary indicted for theft in missing $18,000 allegedly taken between 2007 and 2009

• Nine Jefferson Co. middle school students suspended after pot found at school; some were allegedly selling, others were buyers

• Ashland Ind. sixth-graders tour community college as part of "push that good grades equal success;" career exploration excursion

• House passed budget bill would replace older schools in Democratic representatives' districts, but omits many similar schools in GOP territory...

• ...changes expected in budget bill now that it goes to the Senate; tense negotiations seen by Senate leader extending into next month...

• ...Crittenden Co. superintendent "not getting too excited" yet about House budget possibility of millions for new middle school; Livingston Co. facility also in plan...

• ...Barren Co. board awaits state budget before proceeding with facilities plan; superintendent confident projects can move forward

• Commissioner Holliday: state team, including KEA exec, ready to make pitch for Race to the Top funds next week; state not invited to "dry run" session ##

• State Supreme Court rejects Fayette Co. Schools' appeal of $3.7 million sex abuse judgment involving former teachers and student dating back to 1976

• Lyon Co. board agrees to take part in mediation in lawsuit against material suppliers, contractors that worked on middle school project

• Chamber of Commerce steps up to support LaRue Co. Schools' laptops-for-students' initiative; superintendent pleased with growing public backing

• Owen Co. Schools will stay in session into June due to snow days, but spring break preserved...if Mother Nature doesn't strike again

• Christian Co. Schools, police ponder actions against three students involved in bring pellet guns to campus for after-school game ##

• Fayette Co. middle school teacher suspended after charges of pot trafficking near school filed when police raid her home

• Opinion: newspaper that fought Jefferson Co. board's closed superintendent evaluation doesn't like limited executive session reviews in Senate-passed bill

Wed, March 10, 2010

• House budget bill's school construction list differs from buildings identified by KDE as being in greatest need

• Oldham Co. seeks state waiver so elementary won't have to make up high-absenteeism flu days after rest of district starts summer...

• ...KDE ruling that KEA meeting date can't be instructional day part of more calendar changes for Jessamine Co. Schools...

• ...spring break gone, Memorial Day also a class day a Letcher Co. board adjusts calendar to make up for lost instructional time ##

• EKU, community college, ADD vie to take over Franklin Co. adult ed/community ed center when board ends fiscal agent role

• Feds to release list of nation's 5,000 "lowest-performing schools" later this month as part of push for turnaround actions by states...

• ...while Maine principal confused about school on state's "persistently lowest-performing" list; state ed chief calls list "incredible opportunity"

• Some Indiana educators like legislative proposal to give school leaders more flexibility on spending tax revenues

• Newspaper forces KDE to relent, release information about six seeking to fill vacancy on Marion Co. school board

• "Game" between youths led to pellet gun shot that shattered window on Clark Co. school bus; teen arrested on wanton endangerment count

• Opinion: Pike Co. board member's criticism of No Child Left Behind, impact of snow days a disappointing position

• Opinion: legislator praised for bill to allow athletes to miss school for games but still retain perfect attendance

• Draft of proposed national "common standards" for math, English college readiness draws mix of praise and criticism

• House to vote today on budget cutting two school days, adds FRYSC funding and money for replacement schools...

• ...budget bill targets "critical needs" schools for replacement, renovation (list begins on Page 305of HCS - House Committee Substitute) at bottom of this link...

• ...bill to permit limited superintendent evaluation talks in closed session sails through Senate 38-0; attempt to strike balance with public review...

• ...House ed committee chair says principal hiring bill dead; KEA chief: superintendents want to undermine council role

• Ten apply to lead Trigg Co. Schools system as superintendent search process proceeds; board may name finalists sometime next month

• Webster Co. board again rejects bids to buy old Providence Ind. property, but tie vote on high school project leads to confusion

• Nashville, TN school bus drivers upset over pay cut planned as part of district's budget balancing moves

• Counselors, other staff sent to Marshall Co. High after student athlete dies during non-school club practice session ##

• NFL player returns home to Paducah Ind. schools to give back to community, encourage students on "attitude, respect, worth ethic" ##

• Opinion: bill to address cost of retired teachers' health insurance deserves support for "shared pain" approach by all parties ##

Tue, March 09, 2010

• Deeply divided House Education Committee fails to re-pass bill giving superintendents more say in principal selections

• Elizabethtown legislator says his bill would give teachers more options on evolution, global warming; criticizes Al Gore, evolution proponents

• House budget will cut adult ed programs more than $1 million over coming biennium; universities that build must find money for upkeep

• New rule will limit schools' options to exclude special ed, non-English speaking students from NAEP test scores; U.S. Department of Ed disagrees with move

• Monitor struck but no one injured when pellet gun fired at loaded Clark Co. school bus, shattering window; police search for possible juvenile suspect

• Allegations of assaults during sports team hazing leads Indiana district to call police, institute new rules barring such actions

• Parent leader: lawsuit plans continue to send Knox Co. children to Corbin Ind., criticizes ed commissioner's decision; Knox board meets tonight

• McCracken Co. superintendent search panel renews its work; process halted last year so consolidated high school issue could be concluded ##

• Thinking outside the box enables Glasgow Ind. elementary to add preschool classroom at reduced cost; kindergarten room to be converted

• Hardin Co. Schools' "cadet teaching program" gives students interested in education careers insights into leading classroom learning

• Bellevue Ind. elementary takes different twist for annual reading event, selection books about every state to truly "Read Across America"

• Community, state leaders turn out to help Fort Thomas Ind. elementary celebrate its selection for national Blue Ribbon for excellence

• Measure to change superintendent's role in principal hiring defeated in House Education Committee; future of measure now uncertain

• House Speaker Stumbo says legislators who voted against revenue portion of budget won't see school construction funds; partisan politics coming to the forefront...

• ...legislator's "no" vote may block funding for Paducah Ind. school on KDE's Category 5 list; "it isn't right" ##

• Senate vote expected soon on bill to allow partial discussion of superintendent evaluation in closed session, followed by public discourse

• Jefferson Co. board shoots down proposed fix in elementary report cards, fear plan would cause more, not less, confusion among parents

• ActivBoard technology in Taylor Co. schools has changed how some teachers lead their classroom instruction

• New WKU Chinese initiative seen as double bonus for Bowling Green Ind., Warren Co. schools; language and global studies

• Professional development day gone for Ballard Co. students, staff to make up for weather closing; school year will still end in late May

• Tip leads to arrest of Fayette Co. high school student alleged to have brought handgun to school; district praises students for report

• Ashland Ind. elementary marks national Blue Ribbon designation with visit by state's top educator; positive vibes abound