Every District Deserves a Strong Superintendent

Fleming County Schools has emerged as a national leader in redefining what accountability means for public education in Kentucky. Their journey, driven by local voices, bold leadership, and a relentless focus on students, offers a living example of how districts can shape systems that honor both rigorous standards and community values. The story did not happen overnight. Fleming County’s “moonshot” began with a simple but powerful question: how can we measure success in ways that reflect the growth, readiness, and creativity of every student? Instead of relying solely on one-day test scores, the district committed to building an accountability system that tells a richer story. Through years of iteration, Fleming County created its Measures of Quality (MoQs) framework. This model balances academic growth with durable skills, real-world application, and readiness for life beyond school. Students are invited to demonstrate mastery through projects, presentations, and authentic work that reflects their unique talents and aspirations. Dr. Brian Creasman, Superintendent of Fleming County Schools, describes this approach as being “inches from landing.” For him, accountability is not about compliance, but about community. “When families, teachers, and students see themselves in the story of success, accountability becomes a shared promise, not a bureaucratic burden,” he explained. The district’s progress is visible not only in dashboards and reports, but in the confidence of its culture. Teachers feel empowered to innovate. Students see purpose in their learning. Families trust that their schools are preparing children for both college and careers. This cultural shift is what makes Fleming County’s work so significant. Artifacts of the journey tell the story best. Students presenting their portfolios to community panels. Teachers collaborating on new performance assessments. Families giving input on what readiness means for their children. These moments showcase accountability not as a policy, but as a practice lived out every day in classrooms and communities. For superintendents across the Commonwealth, Fleming County provides an inspiring example. Local accountability can be bold, human, and effective. It can honor state expectations while elevating what matters most to communities. Most importantly, it can keep Kids First by ensuring every child is seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are becoming.

Nestled in the scenic hills of Eastern Kentucky, Lawrence County Schools has a long legacy of educational excellence and resilience. Once home to more than 100 one-room schoolhouses, the district has evolved into a thriving school system that now offers a blend of tradition and innovation. With programs ranging from Gifted and Talented education to Advanced Placement, dual credit opportunities, and an expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) portfolio, the district ensures every student has a pathway to success. Superintendent Katie Webb and her team are committed to tailoring learning experiences that inspire, challenge, and empower each student. With a focus on both academic rigor and extracurricular engagement, Lawrence County nurtures school spirit, family involvement, and community pride—values that are central to the district’s mission. A transformational moment for the district came in 2021 when state leaders approved funding for a new Local Area Vocational Education Center (LAVEC). This investment provided Lawrence County High School with expanded facilities, including a state-of-the-art greenhouse. As agriculture instructor Melissa Blackburn explained, “The new greenhouse is an incredible enhancement to our program. It exposes students to cutting-edge technology they’ll encounter in industry settings, from advanced irrigation to electrical and industrial maintenance”. The LAVEC has since become a hub of opportunity. Through programs like Building America Apprenticeship (ABA2), students are gaining real-world skills and workforce readiness. Internships and apprenticeships are expanding in collaboration with community partners, while achievements in agriculture, JROTC, FFA, and HOSA showcase how students are excelling on both local and national stages. Partnerships are central to Lawrence County’s success. Organizations like Three Rivers Medical Center, The Jordan Center, Joe Young Insurance, and Dr. Lester’s Pre-Dentistry Program provide students with internships and job-shadowing experiences that prepare them for high-demand careers. These connections ensure students can stay in their community while pursuing meaningful, future-ready work. Looking ahead, Lawrence County Schools will continue to expand opportunities for all learners—bridging academics, workforce development, and community collaboration. With the support of their legislative partners and the commitment of district leadership, Lawrence County is demonstrating how rural schools can unlock student potential and strengthen Kentucky’s future.

Any accountability system begins with a simple truth: in order for schools to deliver on their promises to students, adequate and equitable funding must exist. Each Kentucky district faces its own realities: urban and rural, large and small, county and independent, property-rich and property-poor. Yet all 171 school districts share the same responsibility: meet the educational needs for every child in the Commonwealth. This was the promise of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). It took courage to not only paint a picture of what Kentucky schools should be, but also fund those initiatives. The SEEK formula was designed with this balance in mind. Its founding vision recognized that every community has unique assets and challenges, and that state support is necessary to ensure fairness across the Commonwealth. This is what makes the formula powerful: it allows all districts, regardless of size, wealth, or demographics, to provide the foundational opportunities every child deserves and that’s required by Kentucky statute. When schools are properly funded, vibrant learning becomes possible. Resources extend beyond textbooks and technology; they include the ability to hire and retain strong teachers, offer diverse programs for every learner, and provide meaningful experiences that prepare students for life. Whether it is advanced coursework, career and technical pathways, robust arts programs, or gifted and talented classes, funding makes these opportunities a reality. And for Kentucky School Districts, the promise of KERA was that the state would shoulder the largest burden. This promise has not been upheld since 2008. Local accountability means communities have a voice in shaping how dollars are used to hold their local districts accountable. Superintendents and boards must be able to deploy funds where they are needed most, reflecting the values and priorities of local families. Adequate SEEK funding, paired with flexibility, ensures that schools can adapt to the specific needs of their students while remaining aligned with state goals. As we expand accountability to the local community, the call to action is clear: to achieve the goals our community desires, we must have state funding to turn these aspirations into a reality. Districts are committed to transparency, innovation, and results, but they must have the fiscal foundation to succeed. A statewide approach that strengthens SEEK and honors local context is essential to sustaining meaningful learning opportunities in every Kentucky community for every Kentucky student. Funding is not just about numbers - It is about what those numbers mean in classrooms, in hallways, and in the lives of children. When we fund our schools equitably and responsibly, we build a system of accountability that truly reflects the values of Kentucky: fairness, opportunity, and schools that put Kids First.

At the heart of every vibrant learning experience is a strong teacher. A great educator transforms content into curiosity, and classrooms into spaces where students feel both challenged and supported. When we talk about building a future-ready public education system in Kentucky, the starting point is clear: we must ensure a great teacher is present in every classroom. Kentucky’s school leaders have worked diligently to raise teacher pay in recent years. In fact, many districts have given some of the largest percentage raises in their history, and those efforts have largely kept pace with inflation. But keeping up is not the same as catching up. Teachers have not regained the ground lost during the lean years following the 2008 recession, when salaries failed to keep pace with rising costs. At the same time, private sector wages have surged ahead, widening the pay gap and making it harder to recruit and retain the next generation of educators. We cannot rob Peter to pay Paul. Long-term commitments such as pensions, health care, and retirement security are essential for stability in the profession. At the same time, year-to-year funding for salaries and classroom resources determines whether teachers feel valued and whether districts can attract the next generation of talent. Both elements matter. Both must be sustained. Teachers are not asking for luxuries; they are asking for the conditions that make vibrant learning possible. Competitive salaries, reliable benefits, and supportive working environments ensure Kentucky classrooms remain staffed with the kind of educators who bring lessons to life. Without these, we risk losing teachers to other professions or neighboring states, which is an outcome Kentucky cannot afford. This is why our legislative advocacy must stay focused on both sides of the equation. Investing in SEEK funding, protecting retirement systems, and ensuring sustainable pathways for compensation are not abstract policy debates. They are the concrete decisions that determine whether every Kentucky child has access to a strong teacher, every single year. As superintendents, we know the stakes. When teachers thrive, students thrive. Vibrant learning is not a slogan; it is the daily work happening in classrooms across the Commonwealth. Let us continue to lead with purpose, advocate with unity, and put Kids First by ensuring that Kentucky teachers have the respect, resources, and rewards they deserve.

In Monticello, Wayne County Schools is demonstrating the powerful outcomes possible when state investment, district leadership, and industry partnership align. The Wayne County Area Technology Center (ATC), a 75,000-square-foot facility opened in 2020, has become a model for how career and technical education (CTE) can secure Kentucky’s future workforce while transforming opportunities for students. A Hub for Career Readiness Designed to replicate real-world workplaces, the ATC immerses students in pathways ranging from Construction, Welding, Automotive Technology, and Machine Tool to Health Science, Agriculture, Computer Science, and Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). Classrooms feature robotics, CNC equipment, additive manufacturing, and industrial-grade tools, ensuring students leave with skills that directly match the needs of local employers. The ATC’s close proximity to Somerset Community College allows dual credit courses to flourish. All nine ATC instructors serve as KCTCS adjunct faculty, each offering multiple dual-credit opportunities that give students a head start on postsecondary credentials. Measuring Success The numbers tell a story of meaningful outcomes: 760 students are enrolled in ATC programs and 543 in high school CTE. 86% of ATC seniors graduate postsecondary ready through certifications, dual credit, or exams. 160 students registered for CTE dual credit in 2024–25, an increase fueled by Work Ready scholarships. A tailored IEP/ELP tutoring model helped ensure 100% of students with IEPs passed their ATC courses in 2024. Health Science shines especially bright, with a 100% pass rate for Medical Nurse Aide exams in 2025 and nearly perfect NOCTI results. Meanwhile, Agriculture students are operating a greenhouse that supplies produce to schools and nonprofits, Construction students are contributing to regional building projects, and Automotive students are competing successfully across the state. Safer, Smarter Facilities Legislative support has made these successes possible. The biennial ATC funding process through KDE, Federal Perkins allocations, Work Ready scholarships, and a recent HB 6 grant all directly strengthened Wayne County’s programs. Notably, HB 6 funding allowed the district to build a secure breezeway connecting the high school to the ATC—enhancing safety while ensuring seamless access to career pathways. A Superintendent’s Perspective “Our facilities are second to none, and our equipment rivals or surpasses what one will find in industry,” said Interim Superintendent Brian Dishman. “Students are being trained for tomorrow’s jobs and beyond.” Looking Forward Wayne County is focused on expanding work-based learning, boosting participation in non-traditional fields, and aligning credentials with regional workforce demand. Their story shows what’s possible when policy, funding, and local innovation come together: stronger schools, stronger communities, and stronger futures for Kentucky’s students. For more information, visit wayne.kyschools.us .