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 .