HOTLINELeadership Focused • Student Centered • Success Driven

A PUBLICATION OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

December 2015

Student Impact Grants Available!

2016 Legislative Program

Update on KDE’s P3 ProgramP3 P4 P6

www.kasa.org

VOL. 46 ISSUE 04

Daviess County Leader Named 2016 Superintendent of the Year

Owens Saylor, superintendent of the Daviess County Public Schools, has been selected as KASA’s 2016 Kentucky Superintendent of the

Year. He was presented the award November 23 at the Daviess County Board of Education in a surprise ceremony attended by faculty, staff, board members and community leaders. Saylor will now compete for the National Superintendent of the Year Award, to be given by the American Association of School Administrators in February 2016. Under Saylor’s leadership, Daviess County has excelled in college and career readiness, doubling their CCR numbers in the past three years. The district has also experienced significant growth across schools that has resulted in a leap of state accountability system scores, placing them in the top five percent of districts in the state. Daviess County Public Schools has celebrated being a Distinguished District for the past three consecutive years and has had both of their high schools named among the top 30 Kentucky high schools by U.S. News and World Report. Among his hallmark programs is an initiative called “Great Expectations,” aimed at students whose backgrounds may not include an expectation of going to college or high career aspirations. The program includes college visits for kids from pre-school through high school and provides supports through college and career readiness coaches. The program has become one of the most robust college and career readiness programs in Kentucky. Saylor has served as superintendent of Daviess County Public Schools since 2012. He has 26 years

of experience in education, including assignments as a high school band director, assistant principal, principal, and deputy superintendent. Saylor will receive a bronze eagle sculpture, a gold Superintendent of the Year ring, travel to the American Association of School Administrators conference for recognition as a finalist for the AASA Superintendent of the Year, and a $4500 student scholarship for a high school senior at Daviess County Public Schools. The award is sponsored by KASA and Classworks.

Owens Saylor, Daviess Co. 2016 KY Superintendent of the Year

YOUR KASA & tHE CENtER StAFFKASA Executive Director/General CounselV. Wayne Young, JD

KASA Deputy DirectorCEL Executive Director Rhonda Caldwell, CAE, Ed.D.

Executive Operations CoordinatorPat Bailey

Member Relations Coordinator Mary Brown

Executive Director, Coaching and Mentoring, NxG New Superintendent Onboarding Fred Carter, Ed.D.

Legislative LiaisonClyde Caudill

Communications/Marketing CoordinatorWanda Darland, MBA

Superintendent ServicesPhil Eason

Membership Development CoordinatorErin Howe

Finance SpecialistAmy Moore

Director of Principal Development and SupportRita Muratalla

Office Coordinator/Executive AssistantMilinda Sosby

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Regardless of political affiliation, it’s my opinion everyone believes education is the cornerstone of the commonwealth’s economic structure. We may not all see eye-to-eye on the best methods to educate our youth or solutions to the Kentucky Teacher Retirement System, but I believe ALL elected officials are passionate about educating the youth of the commonwealth and protecting resources for teachers and administrators. The 2016 Kentucky legislative session is just around the corner, and this year it is all about YOU!! The layout of Kentucky’s political structure is witnessing a shift that has not occurred in the history of the commonwealth. The governor’s mansion has been home to the Democratic Party for all but four of the past 44 years (home to the Republican Party only four times in the past 100 years). With Republican Matt Bevin winning the governor’s race in November and many of the Republican Party members winning legislative seats as well, (and let’s not forget we have a new education commissioner), the state of Kentucky will see changes over the next few years that can and will bring significant modifications to the educational structure in Kentucky.

With over 20 education related bills already pre-filed, you as a member of KASA, must understand it’s all about YOU!! YOU must be an active citizen and speak to your representatives and voice your concerns. We are the experts when it comes to educating our students!! Everyone tends to think they are an expert when it comes to school, because, of course, everyone went to school; but we are the experts! We know what works and what does not work. We know what our students need, but we rarely tell our legislators what students need or what we need. During the 2016 session, many are anticipating changes in KTRS. How will these changes affect the current system? More importantly how will this affect the recruitment of quality applicants into the education field? This will affect YOU!! In the 2016 session many are expecting changes to our education system. How will these changes affect our students? How will these changes affect YOU?Your voice is what the legislators need; but all too often, your silence is what they hear!! Remember - It’s all about YOU!!

President’s MessageBarry Lee Director of Special Education Services, Pulaski County Schools

2016 Legislative Session-It’s all about YOU!!

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In the last year, I have written often about investing in ourselves to grow our leadership skills. This month is no exception, but the focus shifts to investing in our student leaders. KASA is proud to announce its first year of the student impact grants that enable recipients to unlock classrooms and accelerate learning into real world, project-based applications. Recent research shows the young generation of students cares deeply for and about giving back, and so our grant program focuses on student learning that contributes positively to communities, either locally or globally. The program is sponsored by our partners, EKU and California Casualty.

Who is Eligible to Apply? Any group of students or classes from K-12 is eligible.

What Can Students Apply For? Applicants can request up to $2,500 for a project based learning opportunity that contributes positively to the community of their choosing.

How Are Projects Awarded? Awards will be given to the top applicant in each of the following four age levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Teachers may give guidance to students, but the intent is for students to answer the grant applications questions and create the video themselves. Applications are due April 1, 2016. Grant applications will be reviewed and voted on by a panel of judges no later than May 1, 2016. As we launch into 2016, KASA AND The Center for Education Leadership are devoted to developing leaders of all ages. As we work diligently to provide the

highest quality learning and tools, we vow not to forget our leaders for tomorrow— Kentucky’s students. We hope you’ll begin brainstorming your grant projects now, and visit bitly.com/Student-Impact-Grant to download the application. Congrats and thank you to Eminence Independent Schools! This district received the 2015 grant. Visit bitly.com/Student-Impact-Grant to view their video.

Leaders, Like Athletes, train to be the Very BestRhonda Caldwell, CAE, Ed.D. Executive Director, The Center for Education Leadership

Empowering Young Leaders in 2016

Spotlight on Member Benefits: Advocacy

KASA isn’t a session-only advocate for schools– our representatives lobby on your behalf throughout the year as critical decisions are made that affect your work. This year, as the session begins, we remind you that the work we’ve been doing all year will pave the way. This year KASA will focus on SEEK funding, development of a formal early intervention system, permanently assuring soundness of KTRS, and retaining local discretion over the school start dates and calendar designs. While we’re in the halls of the capitol working for you, we’ve also got a team working to keep you informed. Keep tabs on our work through: •KASABillTracker-Findalistofbillsimpactingeducationandtracktheirprogressthroughcommitteesand onto the House/Senate floors. New information added daily! •CapitolConnection-ThisweeklynewsletterdelivereddirectlytoyourinboxandpostedinKASA’s Connect community features Wayne Young’s “From the Third Floor” weekly update, recaps from our bill tracker, and other insider information. •ContactYourLegislator-FindyourlegislatorbyvisitingtheLRCwebsite(www.lrc.ky.gov).Legislatorswant to hear succinct, clear messages from constituents. For tips on crafting your message, visit the Public Policy tab on www.kasa.org.

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PREAMBLE KASA remains committed to the vision of providing quality elementary and secondary education opportunities for the children of our state. Only with the ongoing leadership and resolve of the legislature can Kentucky live up to its commitment to educational excellence. KASA urges the General Assembly to honor our state’s constitutional mandate and restore P-12 education as its highest funding and policymaking priority. If we are to maintain our documented educational improvement, Kentucky must keep pace with national and global efforts by providing students and citizens with the highest quality educational opportunities available. KASA commits to a partnership with the General Assembly, and with all those who would continue to make the education of Kentucky’s citizens their highest priority, in order to assure them a place in the world economy and the marketplace of ideas. To that end, we propose the following as our Legislative Program for the 2016 session of the Kentucky General Assembly:

FUNDING ISSUES It is the constitutional duty of the General Assembly to provide an adequate and equitable system of funding for the public schools. This duty supersedes all other legislative functions. Top Priority •CommitallgrowthinstaterevenuestoincreasingtheSEEKbase,andrestoreSEEKandallotherflexiblefocusfunds

(professional development, safe schools, textbooks, FR/YSC’s, etc.) to levels that provide constitutionally adequate funding to support academic improvement for all Kentucky students.

Other Priorities •Opposeallunfundedmandatesandcost-shiftingtolocaldistricts. •Providestatefundingthatisadequatetosupportfull-daykindergartenineveryschooldistrict. •FundSEEKbasedonaveragedailymembership(ADM),withnodecreaseintheperpupilamount. •IncreasetheSEEKformulaadjustment(add-on)forstudentsinpoverty. •Fullyfundthetransportationformula.

REVENUE ISSUES In addition to funding issues detailed above that are the responsibility of the General Assembly, state and local taxing authority must be designed to generate adequate revenue. KASA supports:Top Priority •ConductacomprehensivereviewoftheSEEKfundingformulatoassessitscurrentlevelsofadequacyandequity,and

make adjustments as necessary to achieve those goals.Other Priorities •Adoptcomprehensivetaxreformmeasuresthatprovideforongoinggrowthofstatetaxrevenuesbasedonthegrowth

of the state’s economy. •RequirelocalschooldistrictstoincreasetheirlevelofsupportfortheFacilitiesSupportProgramofKentucky(FSPK)to

ten cents, not subject to recall, and equalize that amount with state funds. •Createincentivesforlocalschoolboardstoadopttheallowableannualfourpercentgrowthinpropertytaxrevenue.

STUDENT, CURRICULUM, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUES Accountability is at the heart of Kentucky’s education system. In order for schools and school districts to successfully meet the needs of all students, KASA proposes the General Assembly do following:Top Priority •Developaformalearlyinterventionsystemthatallowslocaldistrictstotakecorrectivemeasuresinlow-performing

schools prior to state intervention. Other Priorities •Provideadequatebandwidthandtechnologyinfrastructuretoalloweveryschooldistricttomakemaximumuseof

virtual and distance learning and technology-based instructional materials. •Establishanadequatesystemofinfrastructureandsupportfortheimplementationofstatewidenovicereduction

initiatives. •Provideincentivesforsecondaryschoolstopilotperformance/competencybasedcreditprograms. •ContinuewiththeimplementationoftheKentuckyAcademicStandards. •Giveschoolsagreaterroleindesigningtheprogramsandservicesthatareprovidedtothestateagencychildren

(KECSAC) they serve.

2016 Legislative Program

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•Providecertifiedschoolcounselors,schoolpsychologists,andservicesofotherfullyqualifiedprovidersofstudentsupport services at a level that assures all students have adequate access to these services.

•IncreasetheleveloftheawardstostudentsfortheKentuckyEducationalExcellenceScholarship(KEES)programtokeep pace with tuition increases at public postsecondary institutions.

•Establish,expand,andfundabroaderarrayofprogrammaticoptions(alternativeprograms,earlieraccesstotechnicalprograms, planned 5-year programs, etc.) for high school students to assure that the needs of all learners are met.

•Adjusttheperformanceindexforschoolstomakeallowancesfortransientstudentsandstudentswithlimited-Englishproficiency.

•Simplifytheprocessforassessingstudentreadinessforkindergarten. •Approvedinstructionalresourcesforschoolsshouldshiftawayfromtextbooksandtowardelectronicandopensource

materials. •Provideadditionalresourcesandsupportforimplementationofworldlanguageprogramreviewsandotherprogram

reviews.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONNEL ISSUES To continue tangible progress toward proficiency, Kentucky’s schools must attract and retain the highest quality teachers and school leaders possible. Top Priority •TakeimmediatestepstopermanentlyassuretheactuarialsoundnessoftheKentuckyTeachers’RetirementSystem

(KTRS).Other Priorities •Alterthetribunalprocessforcertifiedemployeestoachievemoreconsistentresultsandpromoteeffectiveteaching. •Providegreaterflexibilitytolocaldistrictsandexperiencedteachers,throughcertificationwaiversandendorsements,

to allow teachers to be assigned to critical shortage areas and other hard-to-fill positions. •Streamlinecertificationprocessforout-ofstateteacherscomingtoKentucky. •GiveschooldistrictsmoreflexibilityintheemploymentofKTRSretirees. •Amendtenurestatutestoclarifythatsubstituteteachingandteachingunderemergencycertificationdonotqualifyas

credit toward tenure. •Expandmodelprogramsaimedatshiftingroutinedutiesawayfromprincipals(SAMprogram,e.g.)toallowthemto

focus on instructional duties. •RedesigntheTELLsurveyandadministeritthroughlocalschooldistrictofficesinordertoachievemorevalidand

meaningful results. •ExpandtheactivitieswhichqualifyforEILAcreditsothatschooladministratorscanobtaincreditwithoutleavingtheir

building or district. •RevisetheProfessionalGrowthandEffectivenessSystemforcertifiedemployeestoprovideforeffectiveassessmentof

non-classroom certified personnel.

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES Safe, effective, and efficient governance and management of the operations and resources of local school districts contribute directly to the success of students. Top Priority •Retainlocaldiscretionoverthestartingdateofschoolandtheoveralldesignoftheschoolcalendar.Other Priorities•Enhancethequalificationsrequiredforindividualstobeeligibleforelectiontoalocal school board. •Opposetheadoptionofcharterschoollegislation.•Subjecthomeschoolstoreasonablereportingandaccountabilityrequirements.•Continuetoallowlocalschoolboardsthediscretiontodeterminewhethertoenter into collective bargaining agreements with their employees.•Exemptallschoolconstructionfromprevailingwagelaws.•Providegreateropportunitiesforlocalschoolboardstorequestwaiversfromstatestatutesandregulationsinordertoestablish “schools of innovation.”

Written by the legislative committee and approved by the KASA Board of Directors in November, this program will be used as a blueprint to guide the work of the KASA lobbying team. Copies of the 2016 Legislative Program were sent to all legislators in earlier this month.

2016 Legislative Program

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Leadership Awards: Non-Certified Staff Custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, volunteers, assistants, food service workers, (insert other non-certified positions here) are the backbone of a functioning school/district. Do you agree? Think for just a moment what your school/district would look like without these valuable staff members. Chaos comes to mind, doesn’t it? Of course, teachers and administrators are the ones who are charged with the very important task of educating children, and that is by no means an easy task! But, for just a moment, think about those other staff members…the non-certified staff. Do they touch the lives of your students each and every day? Do they make a difference in the lives of students? Who in particular comes to mind? KASA wants to celebrate these hardworking individuals. Nominations are being accepted for two prestigious state-wide awards: The Fred Award seeks an individual who chooses to make a positive difference every day, has a heart for people, changes ordinary moments into memorable ones, and leads by example. The Wanda Luttrell Office Professional Award seeks an individual who contributes significantly to the efforts of the administrative team, who is the pulse of the office, and exhibits resourcefulness, commitment, professionalism, and a positive attitude.

Show those hardworking folks you appreciate them with a nomination for one of these awards. Nominations must be received by 4 p.m., March 15, 2016. Specific details and nomination forms can be found at bit.ly/kasaLeadershipAwards or by calling the KASA office at (800) 928-5272.

Marvin McHenry, custodian, Carter County Schools, KASA’s 2015 Fred Award recipient

KDE’s P3 and State Support for Professional Learning for Educator Effectiveness The Principal Partnership Program (P3) was created by the Kentucky Department of Education in response to data that revealed a need for targeted, specific, and differentiated support for principals in the commonwealth.P3 support is coordinated by Jenny Ray and the Professional Learning for Educator Effectiveness (PLEE) coaches. In September, all superintendents were asked to nominate a new principal and/or an experienced principal to participate in this program. Approximately 50 principals were selected from this pool of candidates, representative of the five regional divisions of the Kentucky school districts. The support structure, which began with a statewide meeting on October 21, consists of two statewide, two regional, and at least two in-school support working sessions. The learning experiences and collaborative conversations around specific school improvement determine each principal’s next steps and will inform the year-long support provided by the PLEE professionals and other regional mentors. About half of the principals in the P3 are experienced principals who become a “mentor team” for the new principals in the same region. Additionally, regional partner representatives from KASA, state universities, educational cooperatives, EPSB, and REL Appalachia, for example, are adding to the professional conversations in order to move administrators forward in their effectiveness. In addition to the P3 program, KDE’s PLEE coaches support district leadership teams in effective implementation of the Professional Growth and Effectiveness System such that it serves as a vehicle for a system of continuous improvement. Professional learning around leadership (including observation, conferencing and time management), assessment literacy (especially in conjunction with effective methods for measuring student growth), and how to build capacity in these areas is a primary focus. If you have questions regarding this support system, please contact Jenny Ray or your regional PLEE coach.

Professional Learning for Educator Effectiveness Coaches:North: Ali Wright (alison.wright@education.ky.gov)South: Sara Jennings (sara.jennings2@education.ky.gov)East: Leslie Moyer (leslie.moyer@education.ky.gov)West: Heady Larson (heady.larson@education.ky.gov)Central: Diane Still (diane.still@education.ky.gov)

Jenny RayPLEE Coordinator(606) 782-0400jenny.ray@education.ky.gov

Principal Roundtable Sessions ReturnJan. 28 KASA Training Center, FrankfortFeb. 2 SESC Cooperative, LondonFeb. 4 Elizabethtown (site to be determined)Feb. 8 KY Dam Village, GilbertsvilleFeb. 9 Jenny Wiley, PrestonsburgFeb. 11 North East KY (site to be determined)

For more information, visit www.kasa.org

Call for Education Session Proposals

Want to help your fellow education colleagues reach their full potential and advance in their career? Present an education session at KASA’s 48th Annual Leadership Institute, July 20-22, 2015 at the Galt House in Louisville. Designed for P-12 school administrators and others who serve Kentucky students, this event will create an experience that inspires attendees to Cross The Line: Commit, Inspire, Achieve; the theme of this year’s event. The Institute planning team is seeking sessions that explore new and improved ways to tackle issues that educators face every day and bring positive change to the profession. Sessions should feature interactive, engaging learning techniques and showcase emerging trends and innovations in education that demonstrate how to go beyond mediocracy and Cross The Line. Education sessions will take place Thursday, July 21, 2016, in one hour format. Longer sessions may be considered. For more information, or to submit a proposal, visit www.kasa.org (click the session proposal button on the home page.) Deadline to submit a proposal is February 26, 2016.

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LawlinesV. Wayne Young Executive Director

Schools’ treatment of transgender Issues Moving through the Federal Courts

Schools around the country find themselves facing a sudden spike in the number of situations they are encountering related to transgender students. Hardly a week passes without a news story involving a transgender student’s assertion of a claim relating to restroom usage, locker room access, or participation in gender-based extra-curricular activities. The dilemma for schools is that there is a paucity of controlling law on the subject. There is no “law of the land” at the federal level that addresses transgender issues. A handful of states have laws or regulations that specifically address transgender status, but most (including Kentucky), do not. Further complicating the issue, the U.S. Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has taken the position that, while there is no prevailing federal law on the topic, it will treat complaints of transgender discrimination as falling within the gender discrimination prohibitions set out in Title IX. So in states like Kentucky, where school officials often seek to reach some negotiated resolution to the requests of transgender students, OCR has clearly stated that it will not view

such solutions as adequate under Title IX. So what happens next? As is often the case, absent Congressional action addressing the issue in statute, schools await a decision from the courts. Just such a case is moving through the federal courts, and may end up providing some answers. In Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, a transgender student in Virginia sued the school district because it would not allow him to use the boy’s restroom. The student’s high school had provided access to a separate, private restroom instead (a common resolution in many places, including Kentucky). The trial judge upheld the school district’s provision of a private restroom. The trial judge stated that Title IX specifically “allows schools to provide separate bathroom facilities based on sex.” The student has now appealed the ruling to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Fourth Circuit will now weigh in on the issue. Its decision could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, providing what lawyers and courts call “a case of first impression” that could become the law of the land. Stay tuned.

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PaidFrankfort, KYPermit No 256

Kentucky Association of School Administrators 87 C. Michael Davenport Blvd. Frankfort, KY 40601 (800) 928-KASA or (502) 875-3411 FAX: (502) 875-4634 www.kasa.org connect.kasa.org www.facebook.com/KASAEdLeader www.twitter.com/KASAEdLeader

Return Service Requested

This two-day institute will deepen knowledge and improve practice among school administrators and their teams in implementing legal and financial decisions in the learning environment in which they lead.

Keynote Sessions •Schools and Religion: What to Do and What Not to Do •NewReportonFinancingEducation:AligningFiscalto

Classroom

Tentative Concurrent Education Session Topics •EPSBupdate,transitionsthisyear,newdirection,new

regulation •Specialeducation •Socialmedia--stayingabreastofchangingtechnology •Transgender--legalramifications •NeedtoKnowLawandFinance2016 •KDElegalsession •Legalandfinancialissuesofadministratorcontracts

•Budgetingfordevicesandsoftware •Budgetingandlegalissuesaroundearlychildhood •Gettingintouchwiththeclassroom •Tribunals •Beginninglawfornewadministrators •WhatIlearnedmyfirstyearasafinanceofficer •BasicSEEK •KTRSandpensionspiking •Managinginvestments •Preparingforaudits •Redbookplanning •Facilityplanning •Impactoflegislativesession •Emergingtopics •Caseforstrategicplansandkeepingyourdistricton

track

Register at www.kasa.org or call (800) 928-5272