Make teacher and school staff salaries competitive It might surprise you to know that Kentucky school districts often are the largest employers in their communities, manage the largest food service and transportation operations, have the largest physical plants and include a wide array of staff members including teachers, teacher’s aides, food service workers, mechanics, bus drivers, nurses, safety resource officers, principals, school secretaries, guidance counselors and many others. Put simply, Kentucky schools must do business much like entire cities or any number of large organizations. Th ..read more

Kentucky legislators – make teacher and school staff salaries competitive and put KIDS First We must pay Peter and Paul; enhance funding for House Bill 6 We’ve all heard the old saying about robbing Peter to pay Paul. Unfortunately, many Kentucky teachers and staff are either working second jobs or may find themselves in that very position – making tough decisions between paying the rent or buying food. Here’s the bottom line, Kentucky’s budget, if not improved upon significantly, will equal about a $58 per month raise for these dedicated professionals. On behalf of the children, teachers and ..read more

Our state has the money; let’s fund public education and put KIDS First Kentucky is enjoying one of the most economically prosperous eras in its history. The state’s reputation for innovation and its business-welcoming environment have attracted countless industries to build and grow here. Thanks to Kentucky lawmakers for making it easier than ever to do business here and for the progress seen daily as many reap the benefits of a fiscally sound and successful state that even has reserves in the bank. Recently, the Kentucky General Assembly kicked off the legislative session which will include ..read more

Kentucky Association of School Superintendents announces 2024 legislative priorities It’s the time of year when we gather with those we love to celebrate the holiday season. We’ll fill our plates with the foods we grew up with and conversations often will turn to fond memories of yesteryear. Adults will give a glance or two at the “kids table” remembering when they sat there. When you make your New Year’s resolutions, make one more. Promise now to reach out to your legislator on behalf of Kentucky’s children, teachers and school staff. Your voice matters. Together, we can make a difference. J ..read more

Education continued to be a key topic throughout this year’s legislative session, as educators, families and community members raised issues with legislators that are crucial to student achievement. By the session’s end, lawmakers had passed bills, several of which align with the priorities of KASS, that will give public schools and those who work closest with our students the tools and options they need to better support school communities throughout Kentucky. Legislators approved a provision that will give crucial financial help to districts that had grown in size over the past three years ..read more

March 17, 2023 – With just two working days left in this legislative session, public education continues to be a key topic among lawmakers. The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents remains committed to championing crucial issues related to student achievement, but we need your help! We urge you to talk to your legislators and voice support for ensuring students have the resources they need to make progress, be engaged and receive a quality education in every school. Unfortunately, school districts are facing a catastrophic funding cliff brought on largely by attendance-related effect ..read more

Two bills that would make school boards and city councils partisan offices, with partisan primary elections, are being considered by the Kentucky General Assembly. The impact of HB50 & SB50 would have harmful effects on local school boards, and the students and districts they serve. There are numerous reasons to oppose school board elections becoming partisan. The drafters of the Kentucky Constitution had the wisdom to explicitly assert that public education shall be nonpartisan. Our forefathers recognized that education must transcend partisan politics. While there are places where partis ..read more

On February 16, 2023, House Bill 3 (HB 3) was introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives. KASS supports this bill as a positive first step in improving student learning, student attendance, and teacher and student working conditions. Read more about HB 3 here. Visit the Kids First Kentucky’s ‘How You Can Help’ page to access social media posts and talking points, as well as email and phone scripts, to help us support House Bill 3. The post HB 3 Introduced appeared first on KidsFirstKY ..read more

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Mental health issues are ‘significant threat to public education’ FRANKFORT, KY (February 9, 2023) – Education leaders from across Kentucky met with the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council on Feb. 9 to highlight the challenges and opportunities within Kentucky’s juvenile justice system. Dr. Jim Flynn, executive director of Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS), said the mental health issues facing public school students and staff are an urgent, pressing need. “The unmet needs of our most vulnerable children constitute a significant threat to p ..read more

Our teachers are trained to be experts in instruction. More than ever, now public school educators and support staff – from administrators to classroom teachers, from bus drivers to nutrition workers – are tasked with additional roles, like counselor, social worker, nurse and investigator, to ensure students’ needs are met, and they’re engaged and ready to learn. But those additional duties, coupled with a severe staffing shortage across all educational roles, are taking a toll on our public schools. And Kentucky kids are ultimately the ones to pay the price. Over the past few years, schools h ..read more