Education

The Kentucky Department of Education releases state test scores November 2. KDE has warned for months to expect lackluster scores from Kentucky's new public school assessments. Students in the state's 174 school districts took the inaugural Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress tests last spring.

Western Kentucky school boards are joining a national campaign opposing federal funding cuts. Kentucky School Boards Association spokesman Brad Hughes says measures from the 2011 Budget Control Act set to go into effect in January would severely impact Title I, II, and special education funds. School boards in Murray and Lyon County have joined the opposition for what schools are calling “sequestration,” and Hughes says more are expected to sign on in the coming weeks.

Kentucky is following Colorado’s lead by starting a nonprofit education foundation to attract funding for innovative school programs. State Education Commissioner Terry Holliday is delivering paperwork today to the secretary of state’s office for the new Fund for Transforming Education. The nonprofit’s trustees will meet for the first time Thursday. The Department of Education worked with the Denver-based Colorado Legacy Foundation on the nonprofit. The Colorado group brings millions of dollars into the public school system with programs to improve students’ health and wellness.

October 12th, 2012 Murray State University held a dedication for the newly named Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business. Dr. Bauernfeind  is a 1960 graduate of the then College of Business and Public Affairs. Dr. Bauernfeind is one of Murray State University’s most consistent supporters.

Ahead of a Monday night Board of Governor's meeting to decide on a new president of Missouri State University, Murray State President Dr. Randy Dunn has self-selected out of the running for that post. In an emailed statement Dr. Dunn cites his love for Murray and Missouri State's affinity to it's internal candidate Clif Smart, as reasons for withdrawing. Smart currently serves as Missouri State's interim president, he also served as the university's general counsel. The University hosted both Dunn and Smart last week for on-site interviews.

Dunn's Statement is below: