(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – At its regular meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations, had in-depth discussions and made decisions on a number of items.
The board heard a lengthy presentation and had discussion on revisions to the state assessment and accountability system. The board did not take action on the item, and it will be brought back to the board at its next meeting on November 1.
Department of Education staff made a presentation on the Supporting Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) school funding formula. The board did not take action on the item, but asked for further discussion at upcoming meetings.
The board also took the following actions:
- approved district facility plans for Henderson County and Dayton Independent
- approved 2006-2007 local district tax rates levied
- approved a request from Jefferson County to use an alternative formula to allocate funds to school councils in the 2007-08 school year
- accepted the evaluation of Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit
- accepted the resignation of Commissioner Wilhoit and named Deputy Commissioner Kevin Noland as interim commissioner
The board agreed to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a firm to conduct a search for the next education commissioner. Board members Rev. C.B. Akins, Bonnie Freeman, Judy Gibbons, Keith Travis and David Webb will serve on the board's Search Committee, with Jeanne Ferguson as an alternate.
A decision on selection of a search firm may occur at the board's November meeting. The board also agreed to accept a proposed timeline for the search, with the possibility of top candidates being named in March 2007.
The board heard other presentations on:
- its proposed legislative agenda for the 2007 session
- the Committee for Mathematics Achievement and Kentucky Center for Mathematics
The next meeting of the board will be November 1 in Frankfort. More information about the board is available here.
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