Service note: This platform is closed as of Dec. 20, 2023. For contacts about scheduling school district communications training and related consultations, please reach out at bradhughes1952@gmail.com

Kentucky has lost a true champion and national advocate for students and a quality learning experience for all. RIP, sir, and thank you for all you did for public education.

One of Kentucky's most dedicated education leaders. Truly a man who devoted himself to the education of the children of Barren County and to the development of the staff of that district. Thank you for your service, sir!

Time to wrap up, but first a final thank you to: * Readers * Major typo alerters * Minor typo tolerators * Story tipsters * Likers, retweeters and commentators (well, most of them) You've made the work for Kentucky ed folks a labor of love since 2017. bing.com/videos/rivervi…

"A long time coming": Campbell Co. board choses builder for what will become $40 million elementary to replace 1936 structure; chair: “We are now fully prepared to move forward with this highly anticipated and crucially needed facility for our students.” linknky.com/news/2023/12/2…

Local Education Agencies: Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 this winter with FREE, rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests for your students, staff, and school community. Learn more about how to receive free tests through the COVID-19 Testing Supply Program: ed.gov/coronavirus/

Shelby Co. superintendent touts 2024 legislative goals - $$ for teacher raises, transportation and all-day K; “Every year it’s a wait and see game. We have to take part of our budget to put aside…so all students can attend a full day of kindergarten.” pmg-ky1.com/sentinel_news/…

Overturned tanker truck spills thousands of gallons of gas on Louisville interstate, forcing delays in 'many' Jefferson Co. buses returning student home this afternoon wdrb.com/news/overturne…

Police dispatchers regularly visit Clark Co. classrooms to school students with '9-1-1 for Kids' guidance on right and wrong use of the service; “We want kids to be aware that they can contact us if they need to, but not to just contact us for any reason.” winchestersun.com/2023/12/20/str…

Amid claims of racism, NAACP, ministerial group, students, parents pack Shelby Co. board meeting in search of answers about firing of Black football coach; second minority coach let go this year in district pmg-ky1.com/sentinel_news/…

Marion Co. board moves to return district to 'traditional middle school and high school system'; middle and alternative schools to serve 6-8th grade students next year, while ninth-grade students will be relocated to the high school pmg-ky2.com/lebanon/school…

Gov. Beshear sees common ground with GOP legislative leaders - particularly Senate president - on need to change SEEK formula: "I think what [Stivers] is also talking about is the growing inequity between different school districts and what we could do to address that."

Take note: Watchdog researchers find thousands of AI-generated explicit photos of children in huge (now deleted) database; schools and law enforcement have been alarmed at the use of AI tools to transform real photos of fully-clothed humans into nudes apnews.com/article/genera…

Hardin Co. early childhood ed rep backs Gov. Beshear’s call of paid pre-K for four-year-olds; “I don’t think universal preschool has to only look like it’s in a school system. It could be in a childcare setting, a head start setting, in public pre-school.” wtvq.com/hardin-county-…

University of Kentucky psychologist offers tips for parents on holiday stress - for themselves and for the kids; warning signs among children may include physical issues such as stomach aches, headaches, a change in appetite, or trouble sleeping fox56news.com/news/local/uk-…

Sigh of the times for construction: City gets 'zero bids' for project at fire-damaged stadium used by Glasgow Ind. baseball team; mayor: firms that showed interest balked at a completion date as part of contract glasgownews1.com/2023/12/19/no-… Background: wbko.com/2023/08/24/gla…

Boyle Co., Danville Ind. high schoolers create 'soundscape' multi-media exhibit at public library to enable visitors to experience the content of young adult novel they read; recordings combine a variety of sounds to evoke particular location or mood amnews.com/2023/12/20/stu…

More: Youth advocacy exec wants lawmakers to set specific teacher pay hike; “We can debate if that should be 11% or 14% or 9%. Those are honorable discussions. Whether or not they should dedicate a stream of funding for compensation, I don’t think is.” kentuckylantern.com/2023/12/19/rep…

86% of state and local employees say that pension benefits are a major reason why they stay in their job #12DayofPensions

Private school in Madisonville tells parents they must begin paying tutition in January after first saying fees were covered this year by donors; director fired, parents upset about timing that complicates transfer to public schools next month 14news.com/2023/12/19/hop…