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Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is to be Kentucky's leading organization in shaping educational policy and strengthening the leadership of superintendents across the state.
KASS is dedicated to promoting the education of all children in Kentucky through Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Capacity Development, KASS supports school leaders in creating innovative, equitable, and high-quality educational systems that prepare students for success.
from aspiring to experienced superintendents
ABOUT KASS
The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) is the premier organization driving educational leadership and policy development across the Commonwealth. With a steadfast commitment to supporting the superintendency, KASS serves as a trusted partner for superintendents, assistant superintendents, chief officers, and aspiring superintendents, empowering them to lead with excellence and vision.
By fostering collaboration and professional growth, KASS ensures that Kentucky’s educational leaders have the tools and resources needed to navigate challenges, implement transformative policies, and shape the future of public education. Together, we are advancing excellence in education for every child in Kentucky.
NEWS & UPDATES
Expanding Career Opportunities Through State Funding For over 219 years, Elizabethtown Independent Schools (EIS) has been a pillar of academic excellence in Kentucky. However, prior to 2022, the district faced a significant challenge—a lack of state funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE). This funding gap limited the opportunities available to students, preventing them from gaining hands-on experience in high-demand fields. Thanks to LAVEC and Supplemental CTE funding, EIS has now transformed its CTE programs, creating new career pathways, upgrading learning environments, and forming strategic industry partnerships to ensure students graduate career-ready. The Power of Legislative Support in Education With newly allocated state funding, EIS was able to: ✔ Introduce Three High-Demand Career Pathways – The district launched Health Science, Education, and JROTC pathways to meet student interest and workforce demands. ✔ Enhance Engineering and Business Pathways – Investments in state-of-the-art equipment have elevated hands-on learning experiences. ✔ Establish a School-Based Enterprise – A student-run business within the business pathway is providing real-world entrepreneurial training, with plans for expansion next year. Measurable Impact: Student Success on the Rise The impact of these initiatives is already visible: Increased Enrollment in Career Pathways – More students are choosing CTE programs, preparing them for high-paying, in-demand careers. Stronger Transition Readiness – EIS is seeing a rise in students graduating with job-ready skills and industry certifications. Project-Based Learning Expansion – Hands-on learning is now embedded across all schools, preparing students for real-world problem-solving before high school. “This funding has completely changed what we can offer our students. They now have access to career pathways that were previously unavailable, setting them up for success beyond graduation.” – Paul Mullins, Superintendent The Role of Community Partnerships in Student Success One of the key drivers of EIS’s CTE expansion has been strong community and industry partnerships. These collaborations have provided resources, mentorship, and job training opportunities that directly benefit students. Baptist Health – A critical partner in launching the Health Science Pathway, providing medical equipment and supplies to support student training. By working with local businesses and organizations, EIS is ensuring that students gain hands-on experience and industry exposure, making them highly competitive in the job market. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Career and Technical Education at EIS? The transformation of career and technical education at Elizabethtown Independent Schools is only just beginning. Looking ahead, the district is focused on: ✔ Expanding the School-Based Enterprise – Giving students even more opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills. ✔ Growing Industry Partnerships – Strengthening ties with local businesses, healthcare providers, and educational institutions to enhance learning experiences. ✔ Exploring Additional Career Pathways – Identifying new programs that align with workforce needs and student interests. With continued support from legislators, industry leaders, and the community, EIS is shaping the future of career and technical education, ensuring that every student has the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to thrive in college, careers, and beyond. Join the Movement: Supporting the Future of CTE The success of Elizabethtown Independent Schools demonstrates the power of legislative funding in transforming education. By investing in career pathways, workforce training, and hands-on learning, districts across Kentucky can prepare students for real-world success. Want to learn more about how EIS is leading the way in career education? Visit their WEBSITE for more details.
Dear Senator, We urge the Senate to NOT move HB694 during the short session and allow a collaborative process with public education stakeholders during the interim. This will honor the collaborative process that made HB540 of 2010 a success by ensuring all stakeholders have adequate time to review, understand, and provide feedback on the proposed changes before any vote occurs on HB694. The strength of the original legislation came from its inclusive approach—let's maintain that proven tradition of shared responsibility. Our Position We respectfully request the Kentucky General Assembly provide stakeholder feedback and input prior to final passage on HB694 that proposes changes to the Teacher Retirement System Medical Insurance Trust Fund (MITF) and the “Shared Responsibility” Plan approved in HB540 of 2010. We believe this will be best discussed during the interim since the MITF is several years from full funding. Background: A Legacy of Successful Collaboration The 2010 House Bill 540, known as "Shared Responsibility for Retiree Health Insurance," stands as a model of effective legislative collaboration. This landmark legislation succeeded precisely because it brought together all affected parties—legislators, school districts, and certified employees—to develop a sustainable solution. According to TRS projections, the MITF is only 3-4 years away from reaching 100% funding—clear evidence that the original collaborative approach is working as designed. This funding status provides ample time for thorough stakeholder review of any proposed changes. Our Concern: The current proposal makes significant departures from the original shared responsibility framework of HB540 of 2010, yet affected stakeholders have had minimal opportunity to: Fully understand the financial implications of the proposed changes Provide informed feedback on potential unintended consequences Suggest possible refinements that maintain the collaborative spirit of the original legislation Request for Action We ask that the General Assembly: Pause consideration of HB694. Convene meetings with all stakeholder groups who participated in the 2010 solution. Provide detailed analysis of how the proposed changes would affect the long-term stability of the fund and those groups contributing to its funding and any possible legal implications for shifting district funding from the MITF to the TRS Pension. Allow a reasonable comment period for affected parties to respond. Consider clarification that the normal costs to maintain the MITF will be continued upon achieving full funding (100%) which is currently 2.01%. Consider reducing employee contributions to 2.01 upon full funding to the MITF which would result in a reduction of 1.74% from the current level of 3.75%. As an example, a teacher making $50,000 per year would get $870 back into their salary adding another step in improving the earnings of our educators to help recruit and retain high quality professionals working with and around our students. We believe that we are better when we work together to find common solutions to these issues and are better able to serve our students, teachers, school districts, and the Commonwealth with an approach like this.
Investing in the Future: Legislative Support Strengthens Bourbon County Schools Bourbon County Schools is making critical investments in students, staff, and school safety thanks to increased SEEK funding and an adjusted Tier I rate . These additional resources have allowed the district to make meaningful improvements that benefit both education and operations , ensuring that every student has a safe and enriching learning environment. Investing in Our Educators & Staff A strong school system starts with strong educators and staff , and Bourbon County prioritized competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent. With $900,000 allocated for staff raises , the district was able to increase bus driver wages by up to $8 per hour —a much-needed step in addressing Kentucky’s ongoing driver shortages and ensuring reliable transportation for students. Enhancing Student Learning Environments With additional SEEK funding, Bourbon County Schools made substantial investments in new K-12 curriculum , ensuring that students have access to high-quality, modern learning materials . Additionally, the district upgraded classroom and cafeteria furniture , creating more comfortable and engaging environments that support both academic success and student well-being. Prioritizing School Safety & Transportation School safety remains a top priority , and Bourbon County took bold steps to enhance security measures district-wide. Investments included: 🔹 Audio Enhancement Epic System – A new system that interfaces directly with 911 , improving emergency response times and communication. 🔹 New Bus Fleet & Safety Features – The district purchased five new buses and equipped the entire fleet with real-time GPS tracking and stop-arm cameras to increase student safety on the road . These upgrades ensure that Bourbon County students not only have a safe learning environment but also a secure and reliable way to get to and from school each day . A Shared Commitment to Student Success The progress made in Bourbon County would not have been possible without strong legislative support. The district extends its gratitude to Representative Matt Koch and Senator Steve West for advocating for critical education funding that directly benefits students, staff, and families. With continued investment in staff, curriculum, and safety , Bourbon County Schools remains committed to providing a high-quality education for every student while ensuring that the district remains a safe, supportive, and forward-thinking place to learn . 💡 Learn more about how legislative support is shaping Kentucky’s schools: kysupts.org/success-stories 📲 Follow Bourbon County Schools for updates: 🔹 Facebook: @BourbonCountySchools
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