Board Brief

As part of our district's commitment to open and transparent communication,
we share this summary of Thursday's events.

The school board convened a special called meeting for one informational agenda item. Katherine Lowther, the district's director of Fine Arts, shared proposed guidelines for FCPS to present the Seal of Arts Excellence. This honor recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate an advanced level of specialization in a visual and performing arts discipline. In Kentucky, each local school board determines if and how students become eligible to earn the Seal of Arts Excellence. Action is expected at the board's Dec. 14 regular meeting. "This has the potential to catch fire," said board Chair Tyler Murphy, likening it to the district's Seal of Biliteracy initiative. "Success looks different for every child in FCPS, so it's finding outlets for our students to express themselves," he added.

• View the Arts Excellence presentation
• Listen to the meeting

After the board meeting adjourned, members of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council moderated a public forum featuring the four finalists for the school board's District 3 seat:

• Danny A. Everett, adjunct professor and Siloam Project director at Baptist Seminary of Kentucky;
• Jason D. Moore, special agent and instructor with the Drug Enforcement Administration;
• Amy L. Sohner, executive director of Bluegrass Greensource, an environmental education nonprofit;
• Kennedy Wells, director of membership, research, and board relations for Associations International (American Volleyball Coaches Association).

After the applicants introduced themselves, the high school students alternated posing the same six questions to each candidate (See PDF below). To close out the evening, each finalist then had an opportunity to share why they think they are the best candidate to fill the school board vacancy.

The community was welcome to attend the forum, and it was livestreamed on the FCPS YouTube channel.

• Watch the public forum

Next step: Interviews with current board members start at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in closed session.

The successful applicant will serve until the next general election in November 2024 and will have the opportunity – along with other interested candidates – to run for election to a four-year term. District 3 serves the eastern section of Fayette County, including the Hamburg, Chilesburg, and outbound Richmond Road areas.

The Fayette County Board of Education routinely meets twice a month, generally on the second and fourth Monday. The planning work session is an opportunity to receive extended presentations, review the agenda for the upcoming action meeting, and provide time for board members to ask questions and hold discussions with staff. The action meeting is when the board votes on proposals.

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