Warren County Superintendent Rob Clayton Named National Superintendent of the Year

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 .

At the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers, Carroll County is a close-knit community where schools serve as the center of life. With only 10,000 residents, nearly every family has a connection to the district. Strong partnerships with local industries allow Carroll County Schools to prepare students for futures both within the community and beyond. Superintendent Casey Jaynes emphasizes that the district’s role extends beyond academics. It is about ensuring students are prepared for the workforce opportunities that await them. Thanks to supplemental state funding for career and technical education (CTE), Carroll County High School launched a new Heavy Equipment Operator Pathway in the 2024–2025 school year. Known as CATALYST (Carroll Area Transportation and Logistics Youth Simulation Training), the program introduces students to heavy machinery operation through state-of-the-art simulators. The initiative is already opening doors. Students practice on the same equipment used by major employers such as Nucor, Luhn & Oak, and Kemper Construction, giving them a competitive advantage in high-demand fields. Many participants are also working toward a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a credential that expands career options after graduation. Industry partners share the enthusiasm. Shawn Keeton of Luhn & Oak Construction said, “For the school to embrace the needed training and worker shortage is a dream come true and something that I have thought about and worked toward for years.” This collaboration highlights Carroll County’s commitment to collective progress. For students like Dylan Service and Nahomy Lopez Perez, the program is already transformative. Dylan explained that he has gained skills ranging from safety procedures to actual equipment operation, which he believes will help him secure a job after high school. Nahomy, one of the program’s pioneering female participants, noted that the work requires focus and persistence, but with practice, success is possible. This initiative reflects KASS’s priorities: building a strong workforce pipeline, advocating for funding that delivers opportunities, and ensuring accountability that supports the United We Learn vision. Carroll County Schools is showing how community, education, and industry can come together to create opportunity. As Superintendent Jaynes put it, “Our community is changing, and we have to provide our employers with a technically skilled workforce.” Carroll County is ready to lead students toward that future. For more on this initiative, visit carroll.kyschools.us

In Kentucky, superintendents and education leaders are working toward a bold vision for accountability. Instead of relying only on state test scores, districts are beginning to design local measures of quality that reflect the needs, strengths, and values of their own communities. It’s powerful to watch districts all over the commonwealth engage deeply with their community to determine what is most important for the education of their students. Why Local Accountability Matters Every public school exists to serve its community. From its inception, Kentucky’s school districts have supported the local needs of its people and helped to shape generations. We (Families, students, and educators) all agree that schools should be measured not only by numbers on a page, but also by how well they are preparing young people to thrive in life. Local accountability ensures that Kids First is not just a motto, but a measure of success that is meaningful to every Kentucky student. Community Voice at the Center Local measures are not imposed from the outside. They are created with input from parents, students, educators, employers and community leaders. Some communities may highlight financial stewardship, while others focus on student leadership, growth over time, or readiness for the workforce. The power of local measures is the innovation that happens that others can learn from. Logan County chooses to provide a focus on student leadership while Bullitt County ensures authentic learning experiences for every child. What matters is that each district is empowered to define what quality looks like for its children. Kentucky is a commonwealth of diverse communities. What success looks like in a rural county may not be the same as in an urban district. Local measures allow each community to reflect its own priorities while contributing to a broader statewide vision. Together, these measures strengthen public education in Kentucky by ensuring that accountability is rooted in both excellence and relevance. Looking Ahead Launching a modern accountability system is one of the key priorities for Kentucky’s education future. Local measures will play a vital role in this system by providing a clearer, more complete picture of student learning and growth. By working together, superintendents and communities can ensure that every Kentucky student becomes the best version of themselves. KASS believes in strong accountability for our public schools. This means we MUST have our communities at the table to help us define what these measures should be. This has already started in communities across the state. Now is the time to ensure it is part of our accountability system for every student in the Commonwealth.