District Spotlight: Morgan County Schools
November 14, 2025
Building Strong Foundations: How Morgan County Schools’ MTSS Model is Redefining Student Success
Nestled in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, Morgan County Schools stands as a powerful example of what happens when vision, community, and legislative support come together to serve every student. With around 1,600 students across six schools, the district is small in size but large in heart—driven by a deep belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Through the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Morgan County is not only improving academic outcomes but also redefining what equitable learning looks like in rural education. This work is made possible through targeted state and federal investments, including increased SEEK and Tier I funding and legislative support for the Read to Succeed and Numeracy Counts Act.
A Community Rooted in Resilience and Hope
Morgan County’s story begins with a tradition of strength and resilience. In a region where many families face economic hardship, the schools have become the heartbeat of the community—a place where hope is cultivated and opportunity takes root.
Superintendent Dr. Ralph W. Hamilton and his leadership team understand that rural districts must often do more with less. Legislative resources have provided essential flexibility—allowing Morgan County to prioritize “people over programs,” attract and retain talented educators, and align instruction to the unique needs of their students.
This emphasis on local priorities reflects the broader goals of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) 2026 Legislative Agenda, which calls for closing the SEEK funding shortfall, improving school construction funding, and strengthening the educator pipeline. Morgan County’s work exemplifies how these priorities can come to life at the district level.
What MTSS Means for Students
MTSS is a proactive, evidence-based approach that helps schools meet students where they are—academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. In Morgan County, the model is built around three tiers of support:
- Tier I: Universal instruction that serves over 80% of students through high-quality, grade-level teaching and schoolwide supports.
- Tier II: Targeted interventions for roughly 15% of students who need additional help in specific skill areas.
- Tier III: Intensive, individualized interventions for the 5% of students who require specialized, sustained support.
- This system ensures that learning is fluid and responsive. Teachers regularly review data to identify student needs, adjust instruction, and collaborate across grade levels. The goal is not just to improve test scores—but to create confident, independent learners prepared to succeed in life beyond the classroom.
The Power of Partnership
The success of MTSS in Morgan County is not solely the result of internal strategy—it’s the outcome of partnerships that span the entire community. Local businesses provide mentorships and work-based learning experiences that give students real-world perspective.
Community organizations play a vital role in social-emotional learning (SEL) and family engagement, while nearby higher education institutions open doors to advanced coursework and career pathways.
These connections extend the classroom into the community, reflecting one of KASS’s core advocacy goals: empowering local districts to collaborate for sustainable, community-centered learning.
Results That Speak for Themselves
Morgan County’s investment in MTSS is already producing measurable and meaningful results:
- Improved academic performance on both state and local assessments.
- Consistently high graduation rates that reflect a culture of persistence.
- Decreased behavioral referrals, signaling stronger student engagement.
- Higher attendance rates, often linked to the sense of belonging cultivated in supportive classrooms.
Teachers report increased positive behavior, engagement, and collaboration among students. Through targeted interventions and small-group instruction, students build confidence and master challenging content. The district’s commitment to holistic education is embodied in its Portrait of a Learner—encouraging each child to grow as an Impactful Citizen, Confident Contributor, Empathetic Servant, Solution Seeker, and Effective Communicator.
Celebrating Excellence and Recognition
Morgan County’s schools are no strangers to recognition.
- Ezel Elementary has twice been named a National Blue Ribbon School.
- East Valley Elementary earned the same distinction once and ranked among the top ten schools statewide in 2024 performance on the Kentucky Summative Assessment.
- All six district schools—East Valley, Ezel, Morgan Central, Wrigley Elementary, Morgan County Middle, and Morgan County High—have been recognized as Prichard Committee Family Friendly Schools.
These achievements represent far more than accolades; they are evidence of a district culture built on collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement.
Legislative Support: A Lifeline for Rural Opportunity
Morgan County’s success is directly tied to strong legislative partnerships and advocacy for equitable funding.
Increased SEEK and Tier I funding has allowed the district to recruit and retain high-quality educators, improve compensation, and sustain critical programs that larger districts often take for granted. This aligns closely with KASS’s call to close the SEEK shortfall and ensure that Kentucky’s funding formula provides a fair opportunity for all students, regardless of zip code.
Similarly, continued investment in the Read to Succeed and Numeracy Counts Act helps ensure that foundational literacy and numeracy skills are supported from the earliest grades—an essential step toward fulfilling the United We Learn framework’s vision for lifelong learning.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
For Morgan County Schools, MTSS is not a one-time initiative—it’s an ongoing process of reflection, collaboration, and growth. As the district continues to build capacity, expand professional learning, and engage families, it serves as a model for how Kentucky’s rural districts can deliver innovation with limited resources.
Dr. Hamilton notes that the district’s greatest strength lies in its people: “When we prioritize people over programs, we build a system where every student—and every educator—can succeed.”
This mindset perfectly captures KASS’s vision for Kentucky’s future: a united, learner-centered system where every child, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed.
Why This Matters for Kentucky’s Future
The lessons from Morgan County are clear:
- Legislative investments in equity yield transformative outcomes.
- Supporting educators drives systemic improvement.
- Collaboration among schools, families, and communities creates sustainable success.
As Kentucky continues to build on the United We Learn vision, districts like Morgan County demonstrate what’s possible when funding, flexibility, and local leadership align. Their story proves that even in the most rural corners of the Commonwealth, the pursuit of excellence knows no limits.
Join the Movement
Learn more about Morgan County Schools’ work by following Morgan County Schools
on Facebook or @SuptMCS on X.
Together, we’re shaping the future of Kentucky’s public education—one student, one school, and one strong community at a time.
The Purpose Behind Synergy
In the KASS Live session with John Nash, superintendents were invited into a nuanced discussion about how generative AI is shaping the educational landscape and what it means for district leadership. Nash, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership Studies at the University of Kentucky and founding director of the Laboratory on Design Thinking, offered a grounded framework for understanding AI beyond hype and anxiety. He emphasized that the integration of AI should be deliberate, anchored in clear leadership goals and centered on supporting educators and learners rather than replacing essential human judgment. Throughout the conversation, Nash connected the promise of emerging technologies with enduring leadership principles — trust, reflection, and purpose. Rather than presenting AI as a side project or compliance task, he encouraged superintendents to consider how these tools might support problem-solving, instructional innovation, and operational clarity across their districts. His perspective reminded leaders that the essence of their role remains unchanged even as the tools evolve: guide people toward meaningful outcomes and keep students at the center of every decision. 👉 Watch the full conversation with John Nash: https://www.youtube.com/live/p47qpLGs1VM
In this KASS Live episode, Beau Barnes — Deputy Executive Secretary of Operations and General Counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System of Kentucky (TRS) — brought superintendents into a frank conversation about the health and future of the statewide retirement system that supports Kentucky’s educators. Barnes discussed the role of sustained investment, governance integrity, and transparent communication in ensuring that TRS remains a stable and dependable benefit for teachers and administrators alike. His insights underscored that secure and well-governed retirement systems are essential to recruiting and retaining high-quality staff across districts. Barnes also highlighted how reforms and strategic planning within TRS intersect with broader district priorities, from workforce stability to long-range financial forecasting. His discussion aimed to demystify complex pension topics and frame them in terms that district leaders can incorporate into their planning conversations. Rather than an abstract financial challenge, TRS became a lens through which superintendents could examine how retirement policy and operational decisions affect district morale, long-term hiring strategies, and community confidence in public education as a career pathway. 👉 Watch the full conversation with Beau Barnes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VgqkixoaAU&list=PL-5C6cZuwEFLtZQLLGV_A3n__fBWYWk6V&index=2
Representative Scott Lewis brought his perspective as both a former superintendent and current legislator to KASS Live, offering a forward-looking conversation on policy priorities shaping Kentucky’s public schools. Lewis discussed the importance of bipartisan efforts to refine the state’s accountability systems, strengthen the educator workforce, and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens that can pull districts away from core instructional work. His insights blended legislative context with operational realities that superintendents face, bridging the gap between policy debate in Frankfort and decision-making in district offices. Throughout the session, Lewis emphasized that targeted investments — including support for classroom resources, workforce development, and pension stability — are essential to sustaining momentum in student achievement and operational excellence. He encouraged leaders to engage thoughtfully with lawmakers and framed collaboration as a strategic tool for advancing initiatives that align with district priorities. His conversation reinforced that legislative outcomes matter not just for compliance, but for their cumulative impact on student opportunities, district capacity, and community trust in public education. 👉 Watch the full conversation with Representative Scott Lewis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLcbk4AnClI
Dr. Peter Stiepleman joined KASS Live for a thoughtful conversation about leadership grounded in authenticity, clarity, and connection. Drawing on his experience as a superintendent and national leadership coach, Stiepleman shared perspectives on how intentional communication, reflective practice, and strong relationships empower school leaders to navigate complexity with confidence. His messages were less about a particular policy agenda and more about the enduring qualities that define effective leadership in challenging times. Stiepleman’s conversation encouraged superintendents to consider leadership as a practice rooted in presence — being attuned to the needs of their teams, students, and communities while maintaining clarity of purpose. He emphasized that while external pressures are real, leaders strengthen their districts by cultivating trust, articulating clear priorities, and engaging in open dialogue with stakeholders. His insights reminded audience members that leadership is not only about strategy but about the integrity and consistency leaders bring to their roles every day. 👉 Watch the full conversation with Dr. Peter Stiepleman: https://www.youtube.com/live/t_N5l34CMKY
KASS Live: Clarity When It Matters Most
