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Bevin announces appointment of nine members to newly created Charter Schools Advisory Council


Gov. Matt Bevin has named nine members to the Charter Schools Advisory Council, created by the 2017 Kentucky General Assembly.

The appointments are:

— Brandon Kyle Wilson, Cunningham, represents parents. He is a farm manager for Davis Brothers Farms, former lecturer at Murray State University, and holds a master’s degree from Murray State and a Ph.D. from Auburn University. Wilson shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

— Holly Iaccarino, Versailles, represents attorneys. She is an attorney for Barnett Benvenuti & Butler PLLC and holds a bachelor’s degree from Asbury University and a Law degree from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law. Iaccarino shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Gov. Matt Bevin has named nine members to the Charter Schools Advisory Council, created by the 2017 Kentucky General Assembly

a CPA. She holds a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. Clark shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

— Aaron Thompson Jr., Richmond, represents members with education policy expertise. Most recently, he has been executive vice president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and interim president of Kentucky State University, and holds a Ph.D. from Eastern Kentucky University. Thompson shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.

— Milton Seymore, Louisville, represents the Kentucky Board of Education. He is a pastor at Energized Baptist Church and holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Seminary. Seymore shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018.

— Ben Lovell Cundiff, Cadiz, represents the Kentucky Board of Education. He is a farmer and a graduate of the Kentucky Military Institute of Louisville. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and law degree from Vanderbilt University. Cundiff shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018;

— Gary Wayne Houchens, Bowling Green, represents the Kentucky Board of Education. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Administration, Leadership and Research at Western Kentucky University. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisville. Houchens shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018; and

— Valerie O’Rear, Fisherville, represents the School, Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability Council. She is a retired military officer and the owner of Live Well, Live Wisely. She holds a master’s degree in Physical Education from Texas Tech University. O’Rear shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2018.

Lewis will serve as chair and Iaccarino as vice-chair.

Bevin has made the following appointments to the School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council:

Casey Michelle Gesenhues, Fort Thomas, represents teachers. Gesenhues is a teacher at Fort Thomas Independent Schools. She shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

Dale Allen McDowell, Maysville, represents principals. He is a principal for Lewis County Schools. McDowell shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

Steven Randall Evans, Danville, represents school district assessment coordinators. He is a school assessment coordinator for the Madison County Schools. Evans shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

Nathan Scott Bruins, Georgetown, represents exceptional education teachers or administrators. He is a teacher for Scott County Schools. Bruins shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

William Owens, Beattyville, represents local school board members. He is the chairman of the Lee County Board of Education. Owens shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Justin Kyle Mitchell, Bowling Green, represents gifted and talented teachers or administrators. He is a teacher for Simpson County Schools. Mitchell shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Terry Lee Sullivan, Boaz, represents career and technical programs. He is the principal of the Fulton County Area Technology Center. Sullivan shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Kelly D. Bradley, Lexington, represents higher education members with expertise in assessment. She is a professor in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. Bradley shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Valerie O’Rear, Fisherville, represents private sector representatives with workforce experience. She is an entrepreneur and health care professional. O’Rear shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

Thomas Salyer, Paintsville, represents superintendents. He is the superintendent for Johnson County Schools. Salyer shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

Tracey Lynn Cusick, Union, represents parents. She is engaged in community and education organizations. Cusick shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

Jennifer Putnam, Lancaster, represents science, math, and technology teachers. She is a teacher in the Garrard County School System. Putnam shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

Shad Michael Sletto, Ft. Mitchell, represents the Education Professional Standards Board. He is a representative of workforce as a director at EGC Construction Corporation. Sletto shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.

Bevin has made the following appointments to the Education Professional Standards Board:

Rachel Colyer, Lexington, represents middle school teachers. She is a teacher for Scott County Schools. Colyer shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

David Graham, Bowling Green, represents arts and humanities teachers. He is a teacher for Warren County Schools. Graham shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

Jon Robert Akers, Versailles, represents principals or school administrators. He is the principal at Woodford County High School. Akers shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

Sarah Lynn Burnett, Somerset, represents science, engineering, math, or technology teachers. She is a teacher for Pulaski County Schools. Burnett shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2021;

Daniel Morgan, Louisville, represents secondary school teachers. He is a teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools. Morgan shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Tracy Voils Adams, Russell Springs, represents exceptional education teachers. She is a teacher for Russell County Schools. Adams shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Dustin Eric Phelps, Somerset, representing school counselors or psychologists. He is a psychologist for Pulaski County Schools. Phelps shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Donna Rice Hedgepath, Campbellsville, represents members of a private postsecondary institution. She is vice president for academic affairs for Campbellsville University. Hedgepath shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020;

Sherry Wilson Powers, Lexington, represents members of a public postsecondary institution. She is dean of the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. Powers shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

Katherine Ann Gornik, Lexington, represents members at-large. Gornik is co-founder and former president of THIEL Audio, and chairman of Newton’s Attic, a non-profit educational organization. Gornik shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019; and

Steven Robert Thomas, Campbellsville, represents career and technical education. Thomas is an area technology center teacher in Allen County Schools. Thomas shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.

Tolya Lynn Ellis, Shelbyville, represents elementary teachers. She is a teacher for Shelby County Public Schools. Ellis shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019.

Shad Michael Sletto, Ft. Mitchell, represents the School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council. He is a workforce representative and a director at EGC Construction Corporation. Sletto shall serve for a term expiring June 30, 2019;

From Governor’s Office Communications


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