(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- At its regular meeting last week, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations, had in-depth discussions and made decisions on a number of items.
The board heard lengthy presentations on the achievement gap between groups of students and on the state's preschool program. The board also discussed secondary education and the project to refocus high schools in the state.
The board granted final approval to 702 KAR 6:090, the state regulation that sets minimal nutritional standards for foods and beverages available on public school campuses during the school day.
The board also took the following actions:
- approved the request for a waiver of the requirements of 702 KAR 7:125, Section 12 (2) for two students in Kenton County (The regulation relates to enrollment and funding.)
- approved the FY 2006 Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) funds expenditure plan
- approved certification of four nonpublic schools (Immaculate Conception Elementary in LaGrange; St. Barnabas Elementary in Louisville; Prince of Peace Elementary in Covington; and St. Edward Elementary in Jeffersontown)
- approved the appointment of Burt Boyer of Louisville to the Kentucky School for the Blind Advisory Board
- approved the appointment of Barbara McGinty of McCracken County and Sandy Adams of Jessamine County to the Kentucky Writing Program Advisory Committee
- denied a request from Jefferson County for a waiver of 704 KAR 3:140 Section 7, which relates to the preschool program
- approved waivers of 703 KAR 5:020 for Fleming and Mason Counties and Somerset Independent (The regulation relates to grade configurations.)
The board agreed to communicate its funding priorities to Governor Ernie Fletcher and to send a letter expressing support for increasing state public school funding to cover raises for teachers.
The board voted to elect Keith Travis of Benton as its chair and Hilma Prather of Somerset as vice-chair. The two have been chair and vice-chair, respectively, since 2004.
Other presentations and review items included:
- a literacy update
- an update on Kentucky's Writing Program
- an update on the Core Content for Assessment
The next regular meeting of the board will be October 5 and 6 in Frankfort. More information about the board is available here.
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