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June 13, 2012

Four more years

Extension of Terry Holliday’s contract assures continuity

Anonymous The Independent The Daily Independent Wed Jun 13, 2012, 06:00 AM EDT

ASHLAND — By unanimously voting to extend the contract of Education Commissioner Terry Holliday by another four years, the Kentucky Board of Education has virtually assured that the state’s public elementary and secondary schools will have the benefits of Holliday’s steady, competent leadership until at least August of 2017.

If he completes the contract, Holliday, who came to Kentucky in 2009 from North Carolina, where he was head of a highly successful school district, will be the longest-serving education commissioner since the position was created by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. Among the five men who have served as education commissioner, only Gene Wilhoit has come close to matching the level of support Holliday enjoyed in all parts of Kentucky.

As commissioner, Holliday, 61, has faced two major challenges. One is to implement that changes mandated by Senate Bill 1 adopted by the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly. It is the most significant bill dealing with elementary and secondary education since KERA. Although is was launched as the top legislative priority of Senate Republicans, the bill passed both the Senate and the House without a dissenting vote and was signed by Gov. Steve Beshear.

The law was intended to redefine and narrow core curriculum and implement a new testing system which includes national norm-referenced component. The new testing system was used for the first time this spring. Under Holliday’s leadership, Kentucky also was one of the first states to adopt the national core standards to assure that children are being taught the same basic subject material whether they live in Sandy Hook or Los Angeles.

Holliday has been a leader in encouraging administrators and teachers to make the changes necessary to e meet the more demanding standards. That’s a process that is continuing and it is important to have continuity in implementing those standards. Holliday’s presence assures that.

The other challenge Holliday has faced since coming to Kentucky is the state’s continuing revenue woes. Funding for the state Department of Education has been cut under Holliday, as have some public school programs. The new two-year state budget that goes into effect July 1 is the leanest one yet, and area shool districts already are looking for ways to cut thousands of dollars in spending while still maintaining high standards of excellence. That’s not an easy task.

State school bood member had nothing but praise for Holliday. Board chairman David Karem said the board’s working relationship with Holliday is “extremely interactive” and board members wanted to ensure continuity and stability.

“This contract extension sends a strong message to all of Kentucky’s education partners that the board wants continuity and stability,” Karem said. “Terry’s willingness to accept an additional four-year term shows his deep commitment to this work.”

Board member Brigitte Blom Ramsey said Holliday believes every child can succeed if they face high expectations and receive the appropriate support. “He has a gift for communicating about policy in a no-nonsense fashion, actively listening and taking action in a timely manner,” she said.

The new contract will continue to pay Holliday $225,000 a year. The lack of a raise is important. Because of the state budget woes, teachers and other school employees also are receiving no raises this year. Neither should the state’s top education official.

Because of the money woes and the demands of meeting the national core standards, this is a particularly challenging time for public education in Kentucky. That’s why the state needs to continue to have the able leadership of Terry Holliday.

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Four more years

Extension of Terry Holliday’s contract assures continuity

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