HOTLINELeadership Focused • Student Centered • Success Driven

A PUBLICATION OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

AND THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

November 2015

KLA Cadres and other Leadership Development

Spotlight: Nominations Open for Leadership Awards!

Lawlines: Pretext for Age DiscriminationP3 P4 P7

www.kasa.org

VOL. 46 ISSUE 03

School Safety Strand Added to KASA Annual Leadership Institute

KASA’s Annual Leadership Institute is Kentucky’s premier event designed specifically for school administrators. This three-day event brings to the table experts in school law, education leadership, student achievement

and curriculum, and assessment. Now, as a result of a partnership with the Kentucky Center for School Safety, there will be an expanded strand on school safety. “We are thrilled to be able to partner on this work, which will expand our programming and allow us to thread school safety more deeply into our offerings. Increasingly, school safety is embedded in all that we do, in finance, in law, and in communication. This kind of collaboration will enable our school leaders to collaborate and innovate as they draw school safety practices into all areas of school administration,” KASA Deputy Director Rhonda Caldwell said. As part of this partnership, the KCSS sessions will create a focus strand of sessions designed for all school leaders. In particular, principals, school resource officers, state police, and others leading school safety efforts in our schools will benefit. This year’s theme: Cross the Line: Commit. Inspire. Achieve., will drive offerings in all strands. Sessions will include topics on:

• Bullying and cyberbullying • Internet safety • Building security practices and emergency situations such as bomb threats • Discipline for students engaging in electronic misbehavior, including sexting, terroristic threatening, and harassment • Proactive protection of students from human trafficking and sexual predators online • Best practices for safety in after school events (concerts, sporting events, etc.)

The partnership stems from a two-year focus by KASA on school safety. During this time, KASA formed a school safety council, which meets regularly to discuss school safety issues and identify needs for school administrators in ensuring their schools are safe. As part of this work, the council issues the Safety Focus 5, an e-newsletter to nearly 3,000 school administrators statewide with five of the most relevant safety issues of the month. The institute has been approved for up to 17 hours of EILA/finance officer credit. Registration will open in January 2016. For lodging, call the Galt House at (800) THE GALT. Be sure to request KASA’s special room rate.

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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Whether you are a UK basketball fan or not, many words spoken by men’s basketball coach, John Calipari can truly inspire. He can make the best athletes in the nation desire to be at UK. His words can cause a fan base to make the sport “their life.” He can guide the best athletes in the world to realize there is more room to grow. So I want to look at one of his quotes prior to Big Blue Madness as he discussed the upcoming basketball season. “My goal, our goal, is to help these kids chase their dreams,” Calipari said. “This season will be a process, nothing happens overnight.” How relevant are those words to our students, our families, our staff, and our communities when it comes to education. Each of us strive to help students succeed and chase their dreams. One thing I like about Coach Cal is that he does not simply measure success by a national championship. Yes he desires it, but he also sees the success in each individual he coaches. Big Blue Madness is the celebration of a new season, no matter what the outcome was last season. With the release of state assessment scores I hope we take this same approach. Let’s celebrate the new season. Let the madness begin! I see administrators working hard every day, every week, every month, and every year to help our students chase their dreams.

Sometimes they may not win the top prize, but still look at the success for each individual student. We should celebrate how far they have come, how far they have progressed!! Again, it may have not been the top, but they could have moved leaps and bounds compared to their specific situation. As you continue to plan your year, remember, it will be a process. Things will have to be tweaked. Don’t be afraid to make changes. It does not take the start of a new season to make changes. If that were the case, Coach Cal’s team would be hurting with so many freshman each year. Students can often adapt to change better than adults so we have to keep the process focused on students and their dreams!! Sometimes those “tweaks” must take place to ensure we are helping each individual child reach his/her dream. Finally, nothing happens overnight. In every victory and every loss a coach learns what the team can do and what they need to work on. It’s a process, but it will take time and discussions to improve. Is there a need to change, to work harder, to rely on the support from others? What’s working, what’s not? These are questions that coaches ask in the process and so do you. You are the coach!! Let the madness begin!! Our goal is to help these kids chase their dreams!

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

test Scores Are Back! Let the Madness Begin!!

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Leadership Development Opportunities

KLA cadre Schedule Cadre meetings kick off later this month! Mark your calendar with the dates below for your cadre. If you have questions regarding your cadre meetings, call Milinda at (800) 928-5272.

Cadre Bluegrass Appalachia West KY Ohio Valley

Session 1 December 1 November 30 November 12 November 19Session 2 January 12 January 12 December 10 January 13Session 3 February 17 February 16 January 13 February 18Session 4 April 20 April 19 April 14 April 21

For more information visit www.bit.ly/kla2016.

Personnel Essentials Webinar The outlook for school funding in Kentucky during the upcoming budget cycle is uncertain, and school leaders may be faced with daunting decisions regarding staffing for the 2015-16 school year. Compliance with statutory requirements for personnel and salary decisions is an absolute necessity. This three-hour web-based workshop will walk participants through the statutory framework for making personnel decisions for the upcoming school year. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to submit questions and issues for real-time response. February 3, 2016 Cost: Free to Active KASA Members; $69 student, associate, and retired members; $119 nonmembers More information: www.bit.ly/PersonnelEssentials

two Sessions Planned for Aspiring SuperintendentsLeveraging Leadership Skills: A Practical Approach for Aspiring SuperintendentsThe purpose of this workshop is to provide the knowledge, skills, and tools that will increase an aspiring candidate’s chances of being appointed superintendent in a district that is the right fit.

This training takes a practical approach to assisting individuals in gaining the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pursue a position as a superintendent. Participants will gain tips to enhance their chances of being appointed superintendent while gaining an understanding of what to expect once they become an applicant. Learn what jobs to apply for, how to prepare for the interview with the board of education, and what happens next once you are named superintendent.

February 29, 2016 Location: KASA Training Center, Frankfort Cost: $195 Members/$295 Nonmembers More information: www.bit.ly/aspiringsupts

Planning and Preparing for Your First 100 Days This workshop uses a research-based approach to the steps a leader should take during his/her first 100 days. Hit the ground running as a new superintendent with a full toolbox of skills and lay the foundation for future success. Participants will be actively involved in the development of their first 100-day plan during the workshop.

May 21, 2016 Location: KASA Training Center, Frankfort

Cost: $149 Members/$249 Nonmembers More information: www.bit.ly/First_100Days

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November26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday

KASA Office Closed

30 KLA Appalachia Cadre Meeting, Jenny Wiley State Park, Prestonsburg

December1 KLA Bluegrass Cadre Meeting,

North East Christian Church, Lexington

1 School Safety Council Meeting, KASA Training Center, Frankfort

10 KLA West KY Cadre Meeting, University of KY Research Center, Princeton

11 Center for Education Leadership Board of Directors Meeting, KASA Training Center, Frankfort

24-Jan 1 Christmas/New Year Holiday KASA Office Closed

March17-18 Education Law & Finance Institute

Lexington Center, Lexington

July 20-22 Annual Leadership Institute

Galt House Hotel, Louisville

CALENDAR of Events

FEATURED DATES

It’s time! Nominate deserving individuals from your school/district for a 2016 KASA Leadership Award. By nominating individuals for the awards listed below, you help us recognize Kentucky’s outstanding school administrators and support staff for the commitment and passion they display. KASA Leadership Awards include:

Distinguished Service AwardThis award is presented to an individual who is retired (or will retire with the close of the current school year), and has exhibited exemplary education leadership ability and brought honor to his or her colleagues, the profession, and KASA. Applications due June 3.

Administrator of the YearThis award is presented to two individuals; a building level administrator and a district level administrator. The award recognizes administrators who have made outstanding educational contributions in Kentucky’s public schools through exceptional leadership and service to KASA. Applications due June 3.

Wanda Luttrell Office Professional AwardNamed in honor of longtime KASA employee Wanda Luttrell, this award is presented to an office professional who has contributed significantly to the efforts of a school or district administrative team. Applications due March 15.

Fred AwardInspired by well-known author Mark Sanborn, the Fred award is named in honor of Fred Shea, the subject of Sanborn’s national bestseller, The Fred Factor. The award honors an individual who portrays a Fred-like spirit of service, innovation, and commitment to others, positively influencing and impacting the lives of those in the school community. Applications due March 15.

With the exception of the Wanda Luttrell Office Professional Award, all awards will be presented during a general session at the Annual Leadership Institute July 20-22, 2016 in Louisville. The office professional award will be presented at the recipients school/district during Office Professionals week in April. Leadership Awards booklets were mailed to superintendents and public relations staff earlier this month. You can also find the applications online at http://bit.ly/kasaLeadershipAwards.

Spotlight on Member Benefits:

Leadership Awards Program

Lonnie Burgett, retired superintendent from Mayfield Independent Schools, received last year’s Distinguished Service Award.

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The Center for Education Leadership Board of Directors

Officers

President: Barry Lee, Pulaski Co.

President-elect: Martha Lail, Franklin Co.

Secretary/Treasurer:V. Wayne Young, KASA

Members: Lu S. Young, Ed.D., University of Kentucky

Paul Mullins, KASA Garrard Co.

Rob Akers, KASSP Woodford Co.

Rachel Yarbrough, KASS Webster Co. Kevin Stull, KDE

As we sail through the final weeks of the first semester, many of us are looking at ways we can improve our work in 2016. As school leaders, you know that your work trickles down into every aspect of student learning, and that every moment, every program, every dollar, must count. In that spirit, I encourage you to make your goal for 2016 to improve the process and performance of your school and/or district. Through a partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Education North Star Community, KASA is offering Process Improvement Performance Excellence (PIPE) Grants for 2016, and the time to apply is now. The program aims to target specific challenges in schools that cost money, resources, and/or time. The North Star Community helps districts operate with maximum efficiency, establish systems and processes, and reallocate resources for the highest return on investment.

Members of the Kentucky Education North Star Community include 23 school districts from 2013 until now from districts sized 500 students to over 20,000. So far, the program boasts $2 million and counting in initial and recurring savings. Grants are available in four tiers: Tier 1 is a district prioritization analysis, Tier 2 is a comprehensive improvement effort, and Tier 3 is a collaborative improvement effort. The time is now— help your district streamline its work, free up resources that can be reallocated, and establish systems and processes for maximum efficiency and effectiveness by applying for a PIPE grant today. Not sure where to start? KASA is hosting a grant writing workshop December 11 at the KASA Training Center in Frankfort to get you started down the path. Applications are due December 18. For more information or to download the application, visit www.kasa.org.

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

Grants Available to Improve Your Process and Performance in 2016

November Featured Book:School Culture Rewired

Co-authored by 2015-16 Kentucky Leadership Academy learning partner Dr. Todd Whitaker, School Culture Rewired draws from decades of research on organizational cultures and school leadership and is the ultimate guide to ensuring that the culture in your school is guided first and foremost by what’s best for your students. Learn how to define, access, and transform your school’s culture by utilizing these tools, strategies, and advice that promise to actively work to enrich students’ lives! To order, call (800) 928-5272 or email milinda@kasa.org. Cost is $24 + Shipping ($3 per book).

Available GrantsTier I: District Prioritization Analysis ($10,000)Determine where to best deploy process and performance management work within your system and determine your district’s greatest needs for alignment of work for the best possible ROI for your project.

Tier II: Comprehensive Improvement Effort ($40,000)In-depth training for embedding PIPE in your district through hands-on project work with action teams. School districts participating in this level often experience significant and recurring savings.

Tier III: Collaborative Improvement Effort ($8,000)Join other school district teams to work and collaborate on a common issue (e.g. strategic planning, transportation, HR, facilities use).

APPLY TODAY! VISIT WWW.KASA.ORG.

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KASA Has a New App!To enhance your experience, we’ve improved our mobile app! Be sure to download our new version for easy ways to connect with colleagues, access files, collaborate on projects, and get new ideas you can implement in your building.

The new app replaces your Member Centric app-- it is now a seamless companion app for connect.kasa.org. Available in your iTunes or Google Play store, just search for KASA Mobile.

Having trouble? Call the KASA office at (800) 928-5272 or email milinda@kasa.org.

Matthew Anderson, Asst. Principal, Moore Traditional, Jefferson Co.Elizabeth J. Dicken, Coach, Dixie Magnet Elementary, Fayette Co.Rachel C. Fairman, Principal, Franklin Elementary, Simpson Co.Keith A. Galloway, Asst. Principal, Lexington Christian AcademyJeffrey D. Gossett, Asst. Principal, Valley High, Jefferson Co.Christie D. Hyden-Stamper, Asst. Principal, Buckhorn, Perry Co.Gena P. Jeffries, Principal, Lincoln Trail Elementary, Hardin Co.Laura Jenkins, Asst. Principal, South Todd Elementary, Todd Co.

Nathan R. Meyer, Ed.D. Principal, Fern Creek Traditional High, Jefferson Co.Christopher R. Pierce, Asst. Principal, Central Elementary, Johnson Co.Thomas R. Pinion, Asst. Principal, Jenkins Ind.Janette A. Schmidt, Asst. Principal, Meade Co. High, Meade Co.Jeremy L. Simpson, Coordinator Technology, Estill Co.Angie Tucker, Teacher, Metcalfe Co. High, Metcalfe Co.Dora M. Tucker, Asst. Principal, Estill Co. High, Estill Co.Stephen R. Willis, Principal, Success Academy, Estill Co.Todd S. Wooldridge, Principal, Saffell Street Elementary, Anderson Co.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULEThe holiday season is upon us! The KASA office will be closed on the following days:

Nov. 26-27 Dec. 24-Jan. 1

Welcome New Members!

CONGRATSto KASA member and minority superintendent intern, Diane Hatchett for receiving the 2016 Emerging Leader Award from the Owensboro Human Rights Commission. Hatchett is currently serving in the Daviess County Public Schools. (Photo: Hatchett and Daviess Co. Public Schools Superintendent Owens Saylor.)

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In the context of employment law, the issue of pretext typically arises when an employer makes an adverse decision regarding an employee, and the two parties dispute the “real” reason for the action. The employer claims legitimate business reasons; the employee claims discrimination or other deprivation of rights. In the recent case of Stennett v. Tupelo School District, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that a former school administrator presented sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the school district’s stated reason for not hiring her was pretext for discrimination on the basis of age in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Stennett was 65 years old and had been employed by Tupelo Public School District (TPSD) for 20 years (of a 38-year career) as a teacher and administrator. After being assigned to the Fillmore Center, an alternative school, she was informed that TPSD planned to “outsource” operations of the center due to financial issues. All employee contracts, including Stennett’s, were not renewed. Stennett applied for three different positions for the following school year, but was not interviewed. Ultimately, TPSD re-hired several Fillmore Center employees who were substantially younger than Stennett, but did not re-hire the four oldest employees, including Stennett. She was the only member of the school’s administrative team not to be re-hired by TPSD. Later, Stennett was contacted about an English-teaching position. She expressed interest, but was never interviewed; the position was filled. Stennett applied for seven other positions at other schools within TPSD. Her applications for all seven positions were rejected, and the district filled each position with a person who was substantially younger than Stennett. Stennett was interviewed for only two

of the seven positions. Evidence also showed principals conferred regarding whom to interview. Stennett filed suit in federal district court alleging that the school district violated the ADEA when it refused to hire her because of her age for each of the seven positions. The trial court granted the school district’s motion for summary judgment, stating that Stennett failed to carry her burden of proving that she was “clearly better qualified” than the other applicants and that she therefore “failed to meet her burden of establishing a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the proffered reason for failing to hire her is merely pretext.” The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court’s grant of summary judgment and remanded the case to it for further proceedings. The court acknowledged that the mere fact of being the oldest applicant and not being hired did not establish pretext. But the court found she had provided “substantial evidence showing her exemplary qualifications for the positions in question: three advanced degrees; four administrative and teaching certifications; thirty eight years of educational experience overall; and twenty years of experience within TPSD.” The panel also noted Stennett “produced substantial evidence showing that her experience was directly pertinent to all of the positions in question, whereas some of the successful younger candidates lacked any pertinent experience.” The panel agreed the school district’s failure to interview her for five of the seven positions she applied for “provides further support for a finding of pretext.” It stated: “In light of Stennett’s exemplary qualifications, pertinent experience, and excellent performance reviews, a reasonable juror could find it suspect that she would not even be provided the opportunity to interview for the vast majority of the positions.”

LawlinesV. Wayne Young Executive Director

Federal court Finds Evidence of “Pretext” in School Hiring case

KASABoard of DirectorsOfficers

President: Barry Lee, Pulaski Co.

President-elect: Jennifer Carroll, KDE/KVEC

Vice PresidentCasey Allen, Ballard Co.

Immediate Past PresidentLu Young, Ed.D., University of Kentucky

Regional Representatives

A Ledonia Williamson, Marshall Co.

B Todd Marshall, Webster Co.

C Nathan Smith, Hart Co.

D Jennifer Lewis, Hardin Co.

E Thomas Aberli, Ed.D., Jefferson Co.

F Scott Hawkins, Woodford Co.

G Corey Keith, Garrard Co.

H Brian Dishman, Wayne Co.

I Cassandra Akers, Floyd Co.

J Nick Adams, Lewis Co.

K Alissa Ayres, Beechwood Ind.

Affiliate RepresentativesKAESP Melissa Stephanski, Warren Co.

KAPS Diane Herrick, Jefferson Co.

KASBO Stephen Clark, Cloverport Ind.

KASS Anthony Strong, Ed.D.,Pendleton Co.

KASSP Michael Godbey, Lincoln Co.

KCA/KSCA Mark Casto, Russell Ind.

KDPP Mike Ford, Boone Co.

KMSAA Reed Adkins, Pike Co.

KSNA Chris Russell, Hart Co.

KYCASE Tammy Williams, Mayfield Ind.

KYSPRA Lisa Deffendall, Fayette Co.

SACSAA Dan Belding, Barren Co.

Emeritus Members Glenn Spalding, retired

Send articles/releases for this publication to Wanda Darland, editor, at wandad@kasa.org.

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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

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American Education WeekNovember 16-20, 2015

This year, KASA is celebrating American Education Week with an eye toward the nearly 3,000 school administrators who lead our schools from Paducah to Pikeville. Created in 1919, American Education Week was designed as a weeklong celebration to spotlight distinguished individuals who are critical in building great public schools for the nation’s 50 million K-12 students. Distressed that 25 percent of the country’s World War I draftees were illiterate and nine percent were physically unfit, representatives of the NEA and the American Legion met in 1919 to seek ways to generate public support for education. The first observance of American Education Week occurred December 4-10, 1921. As a way to show our appreciation for your work, applaud you for your successes, and cheer you on, KASA mailed you a small gift last week, during American Education Week in thanks for all your work. Want to know more about American Education Week? Visit http://www.nea.org/grants/19823.htm.

See page 5 for Process and Performance

Grant Opportunities!