Jul 18 Education U of L Law School Makes $2.4 Million Mistake University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law needs to plug a $2.4 million hole after officials gave too much scholarship money to first year incoming students.Several students were reportedly granted a scholarship they either shouldn’t have been, or the amount the school offered was way too high. It’s unclear at this time why students were given extra funds, but U of L officials say an internal investigation is looking into the issue.Students who were awarded the scholarships will still be receiving their awards, said U of L spokesman Mark Hebert.“They wouldn’t have even known about this if it hadn’t come out in the news media because we are going to honor each and every one of those scholarship awards to those students," he said.The awards are good for the next three years and officials say they hope to make back that money through its fundraising efforts, but the mistake could potentially affect scholarships given next year.The problem was discovered by interim dean Susan Duncan two weeks ago, according to reports from the Courier-Journal and admissions dean assistant Brandon Hamilton has since resigned.The law school’s budget is just over $8 million for the year. By Devin Katayama Jul 18 Education U of L Law School Makes $2.4 Million Mistake Devin Katayama
Jul 18 Education JCPS Assistant Principals Back to School Jefferson County Public Schools elementary principals are in class this week prepping for the end of summer vacation, and many are not alone.Earlier this year, the school board approved the hiring of assistant principals for elementary schools with more than 400 students.Of the nearly 80 schools eligible, all but a dozen principals have already hired their assistants, who officially begin Wednesday.“We’ve already interviewed and hired so we’re going to be expecting our AP to come into work bright eyed and bushy tailed this week," said Danielle Randle, principal of Semple Elementary.The $3.5 million cost to pay the assistant principals is being partly funded by redirecting money that previously went to pay half-day counselors.But the assistant principal roles will also relieve many counselors from additional administrative duties they were previously responsible for.Randle said she's preparing her plan to address student achievement and teacher development for the 2012-2013 school year, and she said although the halls are quiet at the moment, she still feels like its the first day of class.“You get those first day jitters already, especially with me being a new principal. This is just my second time kicking off the year and there’s a lot of fine tuning you get to do right now," she said. By Devin Katayama Jul 18 Education JCPS Assistant Principals Back to School Devin Katayama
Jul 15 Education U of L Launches Kentucky Teen Institute The University of Louisville is convening its first-ever Kentucky Teen Institute this week. More than two dozen teenagers and adult advisors from across the state are spending several days tackling issues that affect teen health such as obesity, pregnancy, drugs, bullying and suicide.Institute director Stacie Steinbock says the teenagers will be expected to come up with a plan of action to take back to their hometowns."What we feel really strongly about is that teens themselves really need to be part of the solution. We often think about teens as the problem and a very difficult population to work with, but in fact they have an amazing capacity for leadership," she said.Participants will also hear from Mayor Greg Fischer, health department director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt and others. By Rick Howlett Jul 15 Education U of L Launches Kentucky Teen Institute Rick Howlett
Jul 11 Education Judge Shows Falsehoods May Have Led to Decker College Closing A vendetta against the CEO of a former for-profit college in Louisville may have forced the school’s closure, but a federal court ruling released this week may have opened the door for the college to recoup millions of dollars lost in bankruptcy.In 2004 the Atlanta-based Council on Occupational Education approved accreditation for three new technical programs—carpentry, electrician and HVAC—at Decker College. The programs included distant, or online, learning in its applications.But in 2005, federal student aid officer Ralph LoBosco asked the council to rethink its accreditation for the technical school. Many at the time felt LoBosco held a grudge against Decker’s CEO William Weld, who was involved in two lawsuits affecting LoBosco's employment.Decker and its students were receiving federal Title IV funding up until the council began questioning its accreditation, which ultimately led the U.S. Department of Education to pull its funding.“This was a school on the forefront for developing programs for distance learning, distance education, computer learning, which was evolving at that time," said Robert Keats, Decker's trustee and plaintiff in the case.Now, a Western District of Kentucky bankruptcy judge says the council made erroneous statements and should have reviewed the application more thoroughly.The council claimed it was unaware Decker’s programs relied heavily on online courses, according to the report. But the court found the council had ample opportunities to challenge Decker’s programs, and the school even references distant learning in its application.“Its clear from the opinion from the court that the COE had an obligation to perform certain things,” said Keats.The ruling will likely be used in a case pending before a U.S. Department of Education administrative law judge. Decker could stand to recoup millions of dollars it lost in bankruptcy.Decker officials would not immediately comment on the case. Council on Occupational Education attorneys did not return calls.Updated 9:36 am 7/12/12: COE Council Mike McClean left a message with WFPL and referred to lead council Kenneth Ingram.Click here to view the court's findings. By Devin Katayama Jul 11 Education Judge Shows Falsehoods May Have Led to Decker College Closing Devin Katayama
Jul 2 Education JCPS Elementary Principals Receive List of Assistant Principal Candidates Jefferson County Public Schools elementary principals have received a list of candidates they can hire as assistants for next school year and some are eager to begin the process. By Devin Katayama Jul 2 Education JCPS Elementary Principals Receive List of Assistant Principal Candidates Devin Katayama
Jul 2 Education Two JCPS Elementary Schools Receive Library Grants The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries is giving two Jefferson County elementary schools $5,000 grants to support the extension of their library collections and services. By Devin Katayama Jul 2 Education Two JCPS Elementary Schools Receive Library Grants Devin Katayama
Jul 2 Education Work Begins For New Greater Clark Superintendent Greater Clark County Schools' new superintendent, Dr. Andy Melin, will begin work this week replacing Stephen Daeschner who was hired in 2009 and oversaw significant progress in student achievement. By Devin Katayama Jul 2 Education Work Begins For New Greater Clark Superintendent Devin Katayama
Jun 27 Education More JCPS Schools Participate in Fresh Produce Program Several Jefferson County elementary schools will continue participating in the fresh produce program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture next school year.JCPS has taken part in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program(FFVP) since 2008, according to district officials. Schools participating in the program offer students fresh produce three times a week. By Devin Katayama Jun 27 Education More JCPS Schools Participate in Fresh Produce Program Devin Katayama
Jun 26 Education JCPS Teachers Receive Raises, Central Staff Pay Freezes The Jefferson County Board of Education has approved pay raises for teachers and support staff while freezing the salaries of central and school-based administrative staff.The board voted Monday night on Superintendent Donna Hargens’ recommendation not to increase administrative salaries, including principals and counselors. Teachers, bus drivers and clerks will receive a 1 percent raise, down from the 2.5 percent raise all staff received last year. By Devin Katayama Jun 26 Education JCPS Teachers Receive Raises, Central Staff Pay Freezes Devin Katayama
Jun 26 Education JCPS Board Chair Imhoff Steps Aside, Porter to Lead Jefferson County Board of Education chairman Steve Imhoff has stepped aside for the remaining few months of his term.The chair position, and leader of the seven member JCPS board, will be vice-chair Diane Porter. Imhoff is one of three board members retiring from his duties at the end of this year. Imhoff, who works as an attorney, said the three trials he has over the next six months is the primary reason for his decision and he said Porter is well qualified for the position. By Devin Katayama Jun 26 Education JCPS Board Chair Imhoff Steps Aside, Porter to Lead Devin Katayama
Jun 25 Education Local Business Supports JCPS Principal Development Several Jefferson County Public Schools principals will begin workshops this week in an effort to improve their leadership skills.The program called Leadership Institute for School Principals was offered last year by the Kentucky Chamber Foundation as a pilot project. Principals participate in workshops offered by the Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina. This year, the program is fully funded at $9,000 per principal by local businesses. By Devin Katayama Jun 25 Education Local Business Supports JCPS Principal Development Devin Katayama
Jun 22 Education UofL Offering Car-Sharing Program in Fall The University of Louisville has partnered with Enterprise to provide a car-sharing program that will offer faulty and students a low-cost transportation option next school year. The company’s We-Car program will allow participants to pick up a Toyota Corolla for an hour, a day or a weekend, said John Drees, spokesman for the University of Louisville. By Devin Katayama Jun 22 Education UofL Offering Car-Sharing Program in Fall Devin Katayama
Jun 21 Education Daniels Preparing For New Role As University President The Purdue University Board of Trustees made it officials today, selecting Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to be the school’s 12th president.Daniels will assume the post when his second and final term as governor ends in January."The balance of this calendar year I will use the time not consumed by my current duties to begin the process of earning by learning. Effective immediately, I will recuse myself from any partisan political activities or commentary," Daniels said. By Rick Howlett Jun 21 Education Daniels Preparing For New Role As University President Rick Howlett
Jun 20 Education U.S. Chamber Reports Kentucky Higher Ed Needs Improvements A U.S. Chamber of Commerce report rates Kentucky’s higher education system below the national average in cost versus benefit.The Institute for a Competitive Workforce put out its Leaders & Leggards report showing Kentucky’s four-year institutions cost more than the national median, but they have a lower graduation rate than other schools. By Devin Katayama Jun 20 Education U.S. Chamber Reports Kentucky Higher Ed Needs Improvements Devin Katayama