Our Mission
ABOUT KIDS FIRST KY
Kids First Kentucky is an initiative by the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) to make sure our children and teachers can be at their best every day. We believe in
wisely investing public dollars to support public schools. We believe in empowering local school districts to make the best decisions for their communities. Most of all, we believe improving our public schools means greater opportunities and brighter futures for all Kentuckians.
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ABOUT KASS
The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents is a statewide, non-profit organization representing Kentucky’s 171 superintendents in their pursuit of successful schools and academic excellence. For over 70 years, KASS has remained focused on equipping Kentucky students with the tools, skills and confidence to succeed in the classroom, at work and in the community.
KASS supports superintendents and their school districts by influencing education policies and legislation, facilitating networking and mentoring, enhancing professional development and sustaining relationships with other Kentucky education organizations.
NEWS & UPDATES
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.
