Education

Murray State Board of Regents Chairman Constantine "Deno" Curris announced a new ad-hoc committee Friday whose job it will be to evaluate President Randy Dunn’s contract.

Hopkinsville Community College is going tobacco-free policy starting Jan. 1.  Smoking has long been prohibited in HCC buildings, but the college created four designated smoking areas on campus in 2008. The Hopkinsville City council enacted a city-wide smoking ban in October and HCC President Jim Selbe tells The Kentucky New Era their smoking areas would’ve violated the ban.

Two Paducah women are among the newest members of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.  The non-profit advocacy group for improved Kentucky Education appointed 18 new members this week.

Stewart County, Tennessee schools are closing due to student illness for the second time this year. Transportation Director Eric Watkins says because a large number of students are out sick, the district will not hold classes tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

A new report says teacher pensions across the country have an unfunded liability of nearly $325 billion. The National Council on Teacher Quality issued its findings today. Council Vice President Sandi Jacobs says one problem is retirement eligibility. In Kentucky, teachers can retire with full lifetime benefits after 27 years of service, regardless of age.