Local Superintendents Advisory Council Virtual Meeting, September 29, 2020

Members of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council (LSAC) voiced their approval of a recommendation that could make it easier for school districts to apply each year for the Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Program during a virtual meeting on Sept. 29.

The recommendation by the Kentucky Department of Education, if approved by the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE), would shift NTI from a separate application submitted to KDE to becoming part of the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP). Districts would not have to complete a separate NTI application, which would create a more seamless process if school must close.

David Cook, division director of the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Continuous Improvement and Support, said the new Continuation of Learning Plan would begin with the 2021-2022 school year and be completed by all districts as part of their CDIP. The Continuation of Learning Planis available now and due in Phase 4 of the CDIP process.

“It makes sense to move the NTI into the CDIP as a continuity of service regardless of what we face,” said Harrison County Superintendent Harry Burchett, a member of the LSAC.

Mandated by KRS 156.007, new regulations must first go through the LSAC before Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass can seek approval from the KBE.

The council gave its approval of four additional proposed regulation changes that Glass will recommend to the KBE:

  • New regulation for 704 KAR 8:100, Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Library Media Elective: This regulation would create KAS for Library Media Elective. The standards would be required for all library media programs and when students are engaged in learning library media skills and dispositions. The standards are sectioned into grade bands K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
  • An amendment to 704 KAR 3:325, Effective Instructional Leadership Act: This amendment would update language to align instructional leadership training programs and provider content to the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.
  • An amendment to 704 KAR 3:305, Minimum Requirements for High School Graduation: This amendment would update language and remove graduation qualifiers and graduation prerequisites from Section 4 due to Senate Bill 158 (2020) implications and concerns about a lack of access and opportunity.
  • An amendment to 704 KAR 3:035, Annual Professional Development Plan: This amendment would update the language to cite 704 KAR Chapter 8, comply with 703 KAR 5:225 and align to KRS 158.6451.The council also heard a proposed regulation change to 703 KAR 5:280, School Improvement Procedures, which will go before the KBE as a first reading at its Oct. 7 meeting.

Policy Issues
The council recommended the adoption of to the Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf policies, as well as Kentucky Tech’s policies and procedures. These interim policy updates were recommended to comply with a new regulation by the U.S. Department of Education implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

During his first LSAC meeting, Glass said having input from school officials out in the field such as superintendents provides accountability that is essential to the detailed, technical work KDE is responsible for.

“I’m meeting with regional education cooperatives and having virtual interviews with state board members and other education partners,” Glass said. “I’ve been doing a lot of listening.”

Glass asked the superintendents to remain tough and agile as in-person learning begins to be restored throughout the state.

“We must keep the learning going,” he said. “We have long-term challenges ahead and we must be vigilant.”

The LSAC will meet again on Nov. 24.