Just got another press release from Frankfort.
Did the federal “stimulus” bill really do such a great job firing up the rest of the economy that there was $310,500 left over for this?
Hope anyone President Obama puts up to be Art Czar when he decides to nationalize the industry doesn’t have one of those embarrassing tax problems.
Kentucky’s Department of Public Health has put out a press release about people eating too much sodium and making themselves sick.
Of course, if reading this makes you want to eat a bag of potato chips and a box of macaroni and cheese, I’m sure there is a government program ready to protect you from the financial consequences of your actions.
– Kentucky’s statewide student data system continues to cause problems
I’ve mentioned the problems before, and now the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Infinite Campus student tracking system continues to have severe teething pains, this time in Boyd County.
This multi-million dollar effort was supposed to make it easier for parents to access their children’s grades and other information. So far, at least in Boyd County, the opposite has happened.
Also, beware KDE spokeswoman Lisa Gross’ comment in the news article that the costs of Infinite Campus are lower than the older program, which never worked right, either. In the Kentucky Board of Education meeting last week it was admitted that there is a higher workload to manage this data-hungry digital monster. Districts are having to hire extra data programmers to cope. Those extra costs might not appear in the KDE’s budget, as the districts have to come up with the money, but the taxpayer ultimately will get a larger bill, maybe with increased local taxes.
It looks like the new commissioner of education, whoever that might be, will have a chance to fill a key position at the Kentucky Department of Education right away.
Elaine Farris, the department’s deputy commissioner for learning results and current acting interim education commissioner, has announced she is leaving to become the superintendent of the Clark County Public Schools.
Farris’ departure leaves another key leadership hole at the department during the critical start-up period on the process to create a new state assessment.
On the positive side, the search for a new education commissioner now adds a sweetener – the person selected can immediately hire someone he or she wants as a key assistant.
We wish commissioner Farris well. It looks like she will face some challenges. Clark County’s middle and high schools score below the state average on the EXPLORE and PLAN tests although the high school’s ACT score for all 11th graders was above the state average.
The Frankfort State Journal usually doesn’t get bogged down in details when federal tax dollars are flying around in town.
They leave it to the rest of us to wonder how much money it will cost to keep stimulating the local tourist trade with a trolley when the $300,700 is gone.
City: Bowling Green, KY
When: April 15, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: 455 E. Main St.
Notes: Rally at Fountain Square Park and then proceed to the Warren County Justice Center.
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City: Burlington, KY
When: April 15, Noon – 2 pm
Where: Boone County Courthouse
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City: Danville, KY
When: April 15, Noon to 2 pm
Where: Boyle County Courthouse
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City: Elizabethtown, KY
When: April 15, 4:00PM – 6:30PM
Where: Downtown Public Square
Website: http://www.hardincoteaparty.com/home
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City: Flatwoods, KY
When: April 15, Noon
Where: Flatwoods City Park
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City: Frankfort, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Where: Capitol Building, Front Steps
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City: Henderson, KY
When: April 15, Noon to dark
Where: Henderson County Courthouse
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City: Lexington, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Fayette County Courthouse
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City: London, KY
When: April 15, Noon
Where: Laurel County Courthouse
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City: Louisville, KY
When: April 15, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Jefferson Square, 6th and Jefferson St.
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City: Madisonville, KY
When: April 15, Noon – 6:00pm
Where: Next to City Hall
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City: Nicholasville, KY
When: April 15th, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: Jessamine County Courthouse
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City: Owensboro, KY
When: April 15, 12:00 Noon
Where: City Hall
and
McConnell Plaza at 5:30-6:00 pm
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City: Paducah, KY
When: April 15, 5:30 pm
Where: Dolly McNutt Plaza, between Paducah’s City Hall and the McCracken County Court House
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City: Richmond, KY
When: April 15th, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Where: Madison County Courthouse
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City: Somerset, KY
When: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Town Square
