APRIL 2026
A PUBLICATION OF THE KENTUCKY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
#KSBA26
IN PICTURES
2 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
WE’RE ALL PROTECTING
SOMETHING.
LET US PROTECT
WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.
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EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TAKE NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PEOPLE ARE TALKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
BEYOND THE BOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
EDUCATION BRIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
IN CONVERSATION WITH . . . . . . . . . 24-25
ELECTION RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
VOLUME 31 | NUMBER 7
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
Follow KSBA for education news, association updates, upcoming events and more
/company/ksba
ksba.org
10 KSBA is Built to Last
During KSBA’s Annual Conference, the
association celebrated its nine-decade
commitment to supporting locally elected
boards of education. More than 1,000
school board members, superintendents
and education leaders gathered in
Louisville for a weekend of learning and
leading.
16 Charter school law struck down
The Kentucky Supreme Court in February
declared a 2022 law that would have
funded charter schools unconstitutional.
17 Oh, the places you’ll read
During March 2-6, board members across
the state read to students in their districts
as part of Read Across America Week,
which celebrates Dr. Suess’s birthday.
18 COSSBA in KY
Education leaders from across the
country gathered in Louisville for the
2026 Consortium of State School Boards
Associations National Conference,
including more than 100 KSBA members.
/KSBAnews
PG 10
@KSBAnews
ELECTION RESOURCES
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 3
PG 18
PG 17
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Pamela Morehead,
President
Eminence Ind.
Jeremy Luckett,
President-elect
Owensboro Ind.
Karen Byrd,
Immediate Past President
Boone Co.
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Chris Cook,
Crittenden Co.
Susan Duncan,
Scott Co.
Carmela Fletcher-Green,
Montgomery Co.
John Matt Fourshee,
Carlisle Co.
Joanna Freels,
Shelby Co.
Debbie Hammers,
Butler Co.
Angela Parsons-Woods,
Rockcastle Co.
Ricky Pennington,
Morgan Co.
Trey Pippen,
Daviess Co.
Brandon Rutherford,
Madison Co.
David Turner,
Walton-Verona Ind.
Nancy Uhls,
Simpson Co.
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Tom Bell,
Christian Co.
Jason Collins,
Anderson Co.
Pat Hall,
Campbellsville Ind.
Ruschelle Hamilton,
Breathitt Co.
Jimmy Hinkle,
Barbourville Ind.
Vanessa Lucas,
Breckinridge Co.
Brenda Mattox,
Nicholas Co.
Kathleen Price,
Martin Co.
Mark Rich,
Edmonson Co.
Christine Thompson,
Livingston Co.
Allie Wright,
Trimble Co.
4 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS
Kerri Schelling
Executive Director, KSBA
You’re history
This year, the Kentucky School Boards Association marks a milestone worth celebrating: 90 years of
service to public education and the local leaders who govern it. On April 17, 1936 – now considered
KSBA’s Founders Day – 25 local school board members and superintendents gathered in Louisville and
adopted a resolution to form a statewide organization dedicated to supporting school board leadership
across the Commonwealth.
From that small, informal meeting, KSBA was born. And from those early beginnings, one thing has
remained constant for nearly a century: a belief in the power of local leadership, collective strength
and shared purpose.
Today, there are 171 public school districts and 857 board members. And for as long as anyone can
remember, 100% of Kentucky’s school boards have chosen to participate as active members of KSBA.
That fact alone speaks volumes about the value of association, collegiality and shared advocacy; values
the founders clearly understood when they took that first step so many years ago.
KSBA’s roots are firmly grounded in governance. Research by former Lincoln County Schools board
member and KSBA president Tom Blankenship traces Kentucky’s system of school board governance
back to House Bill 141 in 1908. But it took the initiative and bold vision of local leaders nearly three
more decades to recognize the need for a unified voice – one that could support boards, protect
local control and advocate for strong public schools statewide. From that humble beginning, KSBA
has grown into the leading advocate for Kentucky’s public school boards, dedicated to empowering
districts through training, service and support.
Over the years, I’ve had the unique privilege of immersing myself in KSBA’s history. During my 27 years
with the association, I’ve put my eyes on each and every page in our archival collection: 90 years of
conference materials, correspondence and meeting minutes. The paper may be yellowed with age, but
the principles captured in those records are strikingly familiar. The issues change, the context evolves,
but the commitment of school board members to Kentucky’s students – and of KSBA to our members –
has never wavered.
A look through our history also offers perspective and reassurance. Generations of school board
members before you faced challenges that sound remarkably relevant today: funding concerns,
student achievement gaps, teacher recruitment and compensation, facilities, safety, absenteeism and
discipline. Serving the needs of our most vulnerable students has always been central to the work. The
problems may take new forms, but the mission endures.
Our archives also reveal an enduring tradition of advocacy and KSBA continues to work today with
the General Assembly and other policymakers to defend local governance and push for policies
and funding that advance public education. As current board members engage in today’s legislative
debates, isn’t it comforting and even a little inspiring to know that KSBA alumni before you fought the
same good fight?
This anniversary is not just about looking back. It’s about recognizing your place in the story. Through
your service on the school board, you are part of a legacy that has been passed from one generation of
board members to the next, a torch carried forward through countless decisions that have shaped the
lives of millions of Kentucky’s students (including many of you).
I truly believe our founders would be proud of how far we have come as an organization and I hope
you are, too. Thank you for carrying the torch and for helping write KSBA’s next chapter.
With gratitude for the past and confidence in the future, we look forward to continuing to serve you in
the years ahead.
KSBA welcomes new hires
Three new staff members have joined
KSBA during the first quarter of the
year. The new hires include:
Brian Wilkerson joined KBSA in
February as communications manager.
With more than three decades of
experience in public relations and
journalism, Wilkerson brings expertise
in communications, media relations and
legislative messaging. He most recently
served as communications director
for the Office of the Kentucky House
Democratic Caucus at the Legislative
Research Commission, where he
managed daily communications,
collaborated with legislators and the
media, and developed speeches, press
releases and strategic messaging. He
also served in the Kentucky House
Speaker’s Office, and began his career in
journalism as a reporter for the Bowling
Green Daily News, the Commonwealth
Journal and the Wayne County Outlook.
Barbara Denton joined KSBA in
February as the administrative assistant
to the board of directors. Denton
comes to KSBA with experience as a
project associate at AMR Management
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 5
TAKE NOTE
Services. She has several
years of administrative
support experience and over
a decade in insurance, human
resources and small business
management.
Paris Anderson joined
KSBA in March as an
administrative assistant
and serves as the in-person
human resources liaison,
bringing more than a
decade of experience in
administrative operations,
human resources support, and
team leadership. Anderson has a
strong background in executive
support, internal auditing and
process improvement, with hands-
on experience in onboarding, payroll
coordination, compliance and cross-
departmental collaboration. She holds
a bachelor’s degree in elementary
education, which supports her strong
communication, organization and
people-focused approach.
NKCES communicator wins
statewide award
The Kentucky School Public Relations
Association (KYSPRA) named Candace
Gibson as 2026 Kentucky School
Communicator of the Year during its
spring conference in March, an honor
that puts her in the running for the
award’s national equivalent.
Gibson is the marketing/social
media coordinator for Northern
Kentucky Cooperative for Educational
Services and was previously the
public information officer for
Bellevue Independent Schools. She
also serves as KYSPRA’s president.
The association began presenting
the award in 2024 to recognize school
communications professionals who
have made a lasting impact on their
district and community. Nominees are
rated in four categories: leadership,
communication, professionalism and
community involvement.
Gibson “has proven that she sees
communication as a vital bridge
between educators and the public,” a
nomination stated. Another wrote
that she has used “her skill sets to
consistently be a voice for public
education in Kentucky,” not just
locally but at the state and national
levels. That commitment was evidenced
by her invitation to Barbara M. Hunter,
executive director of the National School
Public Relations Association, to speak
at KYSPRA's spring conference, held at
Southern High School in Louisville on
March 19-20.
NSPRA is scheduled to announce
the National School Communicator
of the Year on July 20, as part of its
national seminar.
Kentucky School
Boards Association
260 Democrat Dr., Frankfort, KY 40601
800-372-2962 | ksba.org
The Kentucky School Advocate is published 10 times a year by
the Kentucky School Boards Association. Copies are mailed to
KSBA members as part of their association membership.
Executive Director: Kerri Schelling
Associate Executive Director: Josh Shoulta
Communications Director: Brenna Kelly
Association Engagement Manager: Matt McCarty
Communications Manager: Brian Wilkerson
KYSPRA President Candace Gibson (left),
receives the 2026 Kentucky School Commu
nicator of the Year award, from Vice President
Maddie Edwards.
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
“I have seen how powerful
these early years can be.
Preschool helps the individual child
and creates a stronger learning
environment for the entire school.”
Bill Boblett, Boyd County Schools superintendent on the importance
of preschool during a Pre-K for All event at Ashland Community and
Technical College.
The Daily Independent, Ashland
Seth Southard
“We’re excited
to be here. We
are all able to be
under one roof.”
Seth Southard, Ohio
County Schools
superintendent, on moving into its new
central office building and bus garage which
replaces the old office with a leaky roof and the
100-year-old bus garage.
From the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Jim Masters
“Due to a
decrease in
student numbers
compared to prior
years, allocations
will be slightly
reduced which will primarily come
from retirements and/or turnover.”
Jim Masters, Henry County Schools
superintendent, on the district losing six
positions next year due to a decrease in
enrollment.
From the Henry County Local
David Trimble
“Our school
resource officers
are top-notch and
they value safety.
I can’t thank the
board enough
for the investments they’ve made
since I’ve been here.”
David Trimble, Pikeville Independent Schools
superintendent, on the recent audit of the
district by the Office of the State School
Security Marshal.
From the Appalachian News Express
Darrell Witten
“Family Resource
(and Youth)
Service Centers
are built on
one simple but
powerful motto:
'Whatever it takes.’ This guiding
principle drives our coordinators'
daily work to remove barriers,
support families, and ensure every
child has the opportunity to
succeed.”
Darrell Witten, Grayson County Schools
board chair, during the board’s recognition of
FRYSC Week Feb. 9-13.
From the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
6 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
“When we get data back,
we’ve not only got the school-
specific results, we have district
and statewide results. We also look at
results from two years back and we see
where improvements are and areas to
focus on improvement.”
Jackie Hawley, Fairview Independent Schools superintendent, on the
benefits of the recently released Impact KY Working Conditions Survey.
More than 40,400 educators participated in the survey this year.
The Daily Independent, Ashland
Nick Carter
“Wonderful day
in Breckinridge
County as we
celebrate the
groundbreaking
for a new middle
school! Incredibly grateful for our
@BreckSchools School Board and
everyone else who helped make this
happen! #breckstrong”
Nick Carter (@BC_nickcarter), Breckinridge
County Schools superintendent, on the district
starting construction of a new middle school.
From X, formerly Twitter
Carrie
Ballinger
“Since 2021,
construction
costs for school
districts have
risen over 30%.
Transportation costs are increasing.
For my school district in Rockcastle
County in 2021, a school bus cost
$97,000. In 2025, it cost $155,000.”
Carrie Ballinger, Rockcastle County
Schools superintendent, while
testifying before legislators about a
steep increase in school costs.
From Senate Appropriations and Revenue
Committee testimony
Chris Benztel
“Anytime we can
highlight and
place emphasis
on the work our
teachers and
students are
doing and validate
it outside of our district and state,
that’s huge.”
Chris Benztel, Christian County Schools
superintendent, after two of the district’s
elementary schools were recognized for
academic gains by the National Association
of Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA) State Program Administrators.
From the Kentucky New Era
Adryanne
Warren
“These projects
show what’s
possible when
learning extends
beyond the
classroom walls. When our
students, educators and community
partners come together to use
local trails as learning spaces,
students gain meaningful, real-
world experiences that deepen
their understanding of science,
conservation, and stewardship
– while strengthening their
connection to the community they
call home.”
Adryanne Warren, LaRue County Schools
superintendent, on Hodgenville Elementary’s
Nature Trail being used as outdoor classroom.
From the LaRue County News
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 7
8 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
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April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 9
Orr
Superintendent moves
STAFF REPORT
Superintendent retirements
Muhlenberg County
Schools
Muhlenberg County
Schools Superintendent
Contessa Orr, who began
leading the district in
2022, has announced she is retiring.
A Christian County High School
graduate, Orr spent her career working
for several other districts in the
region. In 1998, she became a special
education teacher in Todd County, and
then became assistant principal and
counselor at a Logan County elementary
school and principal in Todd County.
She then served as director of federal
programs for Todd County Schools and
then chief academic officer for Logan
County Schools.
At the time of her hiring in
Muhlenberg County, Orr said her goal
was to look at “ways to meet a variety
of students’ needs, whether that be
they want to go to college, or they want
to go to trade school. What are those
capabilities that our students need to be
successful in their community?”
Garrard County Schools
Kevin Stull, who
became Garrad County
Schools superintendent
in 2020, will retire this
summer after a career
spent serving in both
local and statewide roles.
In the early 2000s, he was principal
at Garrard County High School
for more than a decade before
joining the Kentucky Department
of Education. There, he led the
Principals Professional Growth
and Effectiveness System, was an
adviser for the Office of Teaching and
Learning, and oversaw the Division
of State Schools, which supports the
Kentucky School for the Deaf and the
Kentucky School for the Blind.
Robertson County
Schools
Robertson County
Schools Superintendent
Sanford Holbrook, the
Kentucky Educational
Development Cooperative (KEDC)
Superintendent of the Year in 2021,
is retiring after more than a decade
leading the district.
He previously served as assistant
superintendent of Magoffin County
Schools and has also been a principal
and a career and technology teacher. At
the postsecondary level, he is a regent
at his alma mater, Morehead State
University. Holbrook also has chaired
the KEDC’s board and been secretary
of the Kentucky Interlocal School
Transportation Association.
Nicholas County Schools
Following eight years
as leader of Nicholas
County Schools and 35
working for the district,
Superintendent Doug
Bechanan announced this
past month that he would
retire effective June 30.
Before he became superintendent,
Bechanan served as an agricultural
education teacher, principal of
Nicholas County High School and a
district administrator.
“I am sincerely grateful to the
Nicholas County Board of Education
for their continued confidence in my
leadership and for offering a contract
extension,” he wrote in a letter to
the board. “However, after thirty-
five years of service, I believe this is
the appropriate time to conclude my
tenure and devote myself to the many
things educators often set aside to keep
students first.”
The Nicholas County Schools board
is working with KSBA’s Superintendent
Search Service to hire a new
superintendent.
Superintendent hires
Erlanger-Elsmere
Independent Schools
Erlanger-Elsmere
Independent Schools
Board of Education
has hired Assistant
Superintendent Matt Engel to become
superintendent, beginning July 1.
The board wrote in a social media
post that it “was particularly impressed
by Mr. Engel’s deep commitment to
our school district and its mission of
providing the knowledge, skills, and
opportunities our students need to
realize their full potential and achieve
lifelong success.” Engel has spent
more than 23 years working for the
district. He previously served as an
English teacher, assistant principal and
supervisor of instruction.
Newport Independent Schools
The Newport Independent Schools
Board of Education
has hired Matt Atkins
as the district’s new
superintendent, a title he
had held on an interim
basis since last June.
A 2000 graduate
of Newport High School, Atkins
has spent 19 years working for the
district. Before taking on the interim
superintendent role, he was principal
of Newport Primary School.
KSBA’s Superintendent Search Service
assisted the Newport school board with
its search.
“We interviewed some candidates
who were very senior in education, had
experience with turning around schools,
and so they were very viable candidates,”
said board chair Ramona Malone. “What
we were proud of was the information
that they shared with us on what they
would do to continue to take Newport
to the next level, is what this young man
(Atkins) is already doing.”
Stull
Holbrook
Bechanan
Engel
Atkins
10 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
More than 1,000 school board
members, superintendents and
education leaders gathered
in Louisville to celebrate the
Kentucky School Boards
Association’s strong past and
bright future.
KSBA’s nine-decade
commitment to supporting
locally elected boards and
strengthening Kentucky public
education across Kentucky was
reflected in sessions focused
on effective governance, fiscal
responsibility and meeting the
evolving needs of students.
Attendees connected,
shared ideas and strengthened
partnerships, reinforcing the
foundation that sustains their
work and renewing their
commitment to building a
lasting future for Kentucky’s
public schools.
2026 Annual Conference:
KSBA President Pamela Morehead,
KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling
and KSBA Associate Executive Director
Josh Shoulta, all University of Louisville
fans, don UK gear after KSBA members
accepted a challenge at the 2025 Winter
Symposium to raise at least $1,000 for the
KSBA Educational Foundation.
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 11
Former NFL player
Rennie Curran, now
an author and the
CEO of Game Changer
Coaching, shares
his One Team, One
Dream approach to
strengthen teamwork,
build meaningful
connections, boost
performance and
overcome the common
pitfalls that hold teams
back from achieving
their goals.
Jay Hall, executive
director of marketing
at the Kentucky
Department of
Agriculture, speaks
about the department’s
Ag Education Week
during the conference’s
Opening Session.
Shanna Adamic,
former Kansas City
Chiefs cheerleader
turned health care
executive, author and
motivational speaker,
shares her message of
audacious optimism
that helped her on her
journey of surviving
a rare brain tumor
that required her to
fight fiercely, trust her
intuition and become
her own advocate.
12 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
Maggie Allen, Floyd County Schools superintendent administrative assistant, was awarded
the KOSAA KUP by the Kentucky Organization of Superintendents’ Administrative Assistants.
From left, KSBA Policy Director Matt Cooper, Allen and American Fidelity State Manager
Rebecca Combs.
Barren County Schools board member Shelly Groce was named Kentucky School Board
Member of the Year. From left: America Fidelity Account Manager Matt Anderkin, KSBA
President Pamela Morehead, Groce, KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling and American
Fidelity State Manager Kate Mathis.
KSBA Immediate Past President Karen
Byrd congratulates Daviess County
Schools board member Trey Pippin on his
ratification as KSBA director-at-large as
Morgan County Schools board member
Ricky Pennington, who was also ratified as
a director-at-large, looks on.
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 13
Representatives from Shelby County Schools accept the 2026 PEAK Award for the district’s Shelby Academy, which reimagines alternative
education in the district to provide meaningful, flexible pathways to success rather than punitive placements. The Academy now operates through
two interconnected schools serving grades 6 through 12.
14 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
Destiny Goins, Mercer County Schools
Goins plans to attend Berea College, where she aspires to study
psychology or child and family development sciences. She is a
member of the National Art Honor Society and the district’s
superintendent student council.
“I’ve always dreamed of helping others build their inner strength
and carry themselves through life’s most difficult moments, and
with the scholarships I’ve earned and my acceptance into Berea
College, these dreams aren’t just dreams anymore, they are the
future in the making,” Goins said.
Brayden Snowden, Powell County Schools
Snowden has not yet decided where he will continue his studies
after high school. He enjoys reading, studying the Bible, attending
church and playing video games.
Cayden Hancock, Paducah Independent Schools
Hancock plans to attend Western Kentucky University, where he
plans to study meteorology. He is involved with Hub Club, Esports
and church activities.
Hancock is “thankful for God and blessed for this scholarship
and opportunity.”
Gracie Morris, Hickman County Schools
Morris plans to attend Murray State University, where she aspires
to study business administration. She is president of her high
school’s Educator’s Rising Club and a member of National Beta
Club, academic team, yearbook staff and a varsity cheerleader.
When asked about receiving the scholarship, she quoted Nel
son Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world. It can transform lives and
shape the future.”
KSBA college scholarships, CTE grants
For more than 15 years the First Degree College Scholarship program has awarded $2,500 scholarships to academically
eligible high school seniors who will be the first in their immediate families to complete a two- or four-year postsecondary
degree. Winners are drawn from a pool of nominees submitted by local districts.
KSBA’s 2026 First Degree College Scholarship awards were sponsored
by American Fidelity Educational Services and Houchens Insurance
Group - Education.
Career and technical education grants
During the conference, the association also recognized its 2026 Career and Techni
cal Education Grant recipients. A total of 55 high school students from across the
state were awarded grants to help offset costs associated with the completion of
industry certifications.
KSBA’s student aid programs are made possible by our sponsors and funds raised
by the KSBA Educational Foundation. Save the date for Kentucky Gives Day, May
12 when the foundation will join hundreds of nonprofits across Kentucky for a day
of online giving. Donations can also be made at ksbaef.org.
First Degree Scholarship recipients Gracie Morris, Cayden Hancock and Destiny Goins. Not pictured: Brayden Snowden
This year’s
scholarship
recipients
were:
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 15
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Hart County
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$793,078
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Pulaski County
Schools
$3,084,013
in tax credits
16 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
Keller
Holbrook
Kentucky Supreme Court justices in
a February ruling all agreed that the
Republican-controlled legislature’s
2022 law allowing charter schools is
unconstitutional.
In the opinion written
by Justice Michelle
Keller, the seven
justices ruled that
the law did not meet
the requirement
in the Kentucky
Constitution for lawmakers to “provide
for an efficient system of common
schools” across the state.
“With due respect for the General
Assembly’s extensive efforts to broaden
educational opportunity, and mindful
of the practical consequences of today’s
decision, we do not criticize those
policy judgments nor substitute judicial
discretion for legislative choice,” the
opinion said. “Yet the Constitution binds
us to a fixed standard.”
When the Supreme Court heard oral
arguments in the matter this past year,
Solicitor General Matthew Kuhn of
the attorney general’s office argued
that the law did not violate the state
Constitution, but would improve the
system’s efficiency by expanding
opportunities. Meanwhile, lawyers for
an education advocacy group and two
school districts contended the charter
school law failed several constitutional
tests, including a requirement that tax-
funded schools be overseen by elected
boards accountable to voters.
The Supreme Court opinion noted
that Kentucky voters gave “a sweeping
state-wide rejection in all 120 counties”
of a constitutional amendment that
would have allowed the General
Assembly to fund non-public schools in
2024. The court said that “made clear
the charter debate is a constitutional
one, not merely legislative: education
funding requires either classification
inside the common school system or
voter consent.”
The court held that charter schools
are different from public schools
despite “their ‘many similarities’
regarding testing and teacher
certification.” One way is that charter
schools could buy buildings with tax
dollars, but the building
would not be an asset of
a public school district.
Chief Justice Debra
Lambert concurred by
authoring a separate
opinion joined by Justice
Kelly Thompson. It highlights “some
additional concerns to point out that,
through this legislation, the General
Assembly has ceded its constitutional
authority to oversee the public schools
to (charter school) authorizers, and to
emphasize that the charter schools are
not unitary.”
She noted that the law’s only charter
school authorizers were limited to a
consolidated local government, which
is just Jefferson County at present, or
counties with more than four school
districts, which is just Campbell and
Kenton counties.
“Ergo, the pilot project would only
be implemented in Jefferson County,
Kenton County, and Campbell County
and cannot be implemented in any of
Kentucky’s remaining 117 counties,”
Lambert wrote, adding that further
shows the law was unconstitutional.
Lambert also raised concerns about
a charter school operator acting in bad
faith if they were not bound by the same
financial obligations as public schools
over tax dollars.
The Prichard Committee for
Academic Excellence, a public education
advocacy group, praised the ruling.
Brigitte Blom, the committee’s CEO and
president, said the justices underscored
the Kentucky Constitution’s provision
that protects against “the dismantling of
public education as an essential public
good.”
“Kentuckians’ undeniable and
steadfast focus must remain on
improving outcomes in our public
schools that serve every child — and
every family — in every community
across the Commonwealth,” Blom said.
The Bluegrass Institute, a
conservative think tank, disavowed the
ruling, saying in a press release it has
“serious concern” the ruling “violates
the Kentucky Constitution.”
Gus LaFontaine, leader of LaFontaine
Preparatory School (LPS) and
appellant in the case, in the Bluegrass
Institute’s press release expressed
disappointment that “Kentucky children
cannot participate in an educational
opportunity that is already operating in
46 states.”
“We will continue to offer
opportunities to the many families who
seek out the educational options that
best fit their needs,” LaFontaine said.
House Speaker David Osborne said
the opinion “protects the failed status
quo, unashamedly prioritizing a system
over serving a student.”
“This ruling hits hardest on low-
income families in communities like
Louisville, condemning children who
already face significant barriers to
remain in underperforming schools
that quite simply fail to educate them,”
he said.
Gov. Andy Beshear in a statement
said that the Supreme Court had “sided
with our people, public education and
the law.”
“Taxpayer dollars should stay with
our already underfunded public
schools, and now they will. This is a win
for our kids and our future,” he said.
KY Supreme Court unanimously strikes
down 2022 charter school law
By McKenna Horsley | Kentucky Lantern
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 17
Read Across America Week
Lawrence County Schools board member Susan Rice appears with
the Louisa West Elementary students she read to during Read
Across America Week.
Harlan County Schools Board of Education
member Keri Stevens visits a group of Wallins El
ementary School students after reading to them
as part of the school’s Dr. Seuss celebration.
Jason Coldiron, Raceland-Worthington
Independent Schools board member, holds a
book he read to students during Read Across
America Week.
Woodford County Schools board chair Adam Brickler reads to elementary school students during
Read Across America week.
Tyler Parker, vice chair of the McCracken County
Schools Board of Education, reads to students at
Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary as part of Read
Across America Week.
Livingston County Schools Board of Education
chair David Kitchens reads to kindergarten stu
dents during Read Across America Week.
Ellie Anderson, 3rd grade
teacher at Grant County
Schools’ Sherman Elementary
School, invited her mother,
Joy Colligan, an Owen County
Schools board member, to read
to her class during Read Across
America Week.
18 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
COSSBA’s national conference
comes to Louisville
STAFF REPORT
More than 100 local school board
members and district administrators
from across Kentucky joined nearly
1,500 education leaders from around
the nation March 12-15 in Louisville
for the Consortium of State School
Boards Associations (COSSBA)
National Conference.
The gathering provided an
opportunity to share ideas, explore
challenges and strengthen leadership
practices focused on student success.
Many of the Kentucky attendees
served as volunteers, welcoming
people from more than 27 states to
the Commonwealth.
In addition to Kentucky board
members gathering insights from
their peers across the country, several
Kentucky school board members
and education leaders shared their
knowledge by presenting. The
Kentucky presenters included:
Covington Independent Schools board
member Hannah Edelen; Grayson
County Schools board member Darrell
Witten; Campbell County Schools
Superintendent Shelli Wilson and
district staff; Warren County Schools
Chief Financial Officer Chris McIntyre;
Fayette County Schools Chief Legal
Officer Shelley Chatfield, Central
Kentucky Educational Cooperative
Chief Executive Officer David Young and
Associate Director David Morris; and
former Marshall County Superintendent
Trent Lovett.
In addition to attendees, several
Kentucky student groups performed in
front of the national crowd, including
Jefferson County Schools’ Butler
Traditional High School marching
band, the South Warren Middle School
Spartan String Orchestra, Echo Effect
from Jefferson County’s Echo Trail
Middle School and Fayette County
Schools’ Paul Laurence Dunbar High
School Orchestra. Butler Traditional
students also helped attendees use the
conference app.
The 2027 COSSBA National
Conference will be held in Dallas.
April 2026 | Kentucky School Advocate 19
20 Kentucky School Advocate | April 2026
The KSBA Board of Directors,
comprised of 27 local school board
members, met at the Kentucky Horse
Park in Lexington on March 20 and
March 21. The board held its quarterly
business meeting on March 20.
The business meeting included
committee reports, a strategic plan
update, introduction of new KSBA staff
members, a recap of the association’s
KSBA board holds meeting, retreat
and welcomes new members
STAFF REPORT
annual conference, a financial report
and updates on the KSBA Educational
Foundation and on the KSBA
Unemployment Trust.
On March 21 members participated in
a retreat after an orientation session for
new board members.
Those members include the new
regional directors elected during KSBA
regional meetings and new directors-
at-large who were ratified during
the business meeting at KSBA’s 2026
Annual Conference.
During the retreat, board members
continued their work with Dean
Langdon and Karen Sedoti, member
services directors at the Consortium
of State School Boards Associations to
explore values of effective directors that
contribute to organizational success.
New board of directors Ricky Pennington, a Morgan County
Schools board member, Brenda Mattox, a Nicholas County
Schools board member, and Trey Pippin, a Daviess County
Schools board member, participate in their first board
retreat along with Joanna Freels, Shelby County Schools
board member, and KSBA President Pamela Morehead.
Board of directors’ member Kathleen Price, a Martin Coun
ty Schools board member, engages with COSSBA Member
Services Director Karen Sedoti during the retreat
KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling, KSBA President Pamela Morehead, an Eminence
Independent Schools board member, KSBA President-elect Jeremy Luckett, an Owensboro
Independent Schools board member, and KSBA Immediate Past President Karen Byrd, a
Boone County Schools board member, participate in the business meeting.
COSSBA Member Services Director Karen Sedoti helps
board of directors members understand their roles and how
their actions as directors impact KSBA.
KSBA Associate Executive Director Josh Shoulta discusses KSBA’s guiding principles that
govern the association’s advocacy with the Kentucky General Assembly.