Last Updated on Friday, July 03, 2009 at 5:01 AM
One of the most urgent problems facing Kentucky's schools in the quest to close the achievement gap is the critical need for diverse, highly qualified, responsible, and enlightened leadership. There is a growing consensus in Kentucky that district leaders who provide sound, productive teaching and learning centered on high standards for students may offer solutions to many of our schools' problems.
The Minority Superintendent Internship Program (MSIP) was established in 2003 to train and support minorities who are interested in becoming school superintendents. MSIP places educators in school districts for one year, where they serve as assistants to successful superintendents. The interns develop individual growth plans and have regular meetings and networking sessions with superintendents, board of education members and search firms. They also receive practical experience with public relations, curriculum/assessment/instruction issues, labor relations, human resources, facility management and finance and budgeting.
During the 2003-04 school year, the following three internships were conducted:
Sara Elaine Farris, an elementary school director in Fayette County, interned under the leadership of Leon Mooneyhan, Shelby County superintendent
Anthony Ray Sanders, a principal at Highland Elementary in Christian County, interned under the leadership of Stuart Silberman, Daviess County superintendent.
Youlanda Washington, Ph.D. a principal at Pierce Primary School in Fort Knox Community Schools, interned under the leadership of Blake Haselton, Oldham County superintendent.
After completing the internship program in June, Farris was named the first minority superintendent in Kentucky's history when she accepted the position of superintendent for the Shelby County school district on July 1, 2004. Farris currently serves as interim education commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Education and has accepted the position of superintendent for the Clark County school district, starting in July.
During the 2004-05 school year, the following two internships were conducted:
Aundrea Locke, assistant principal in the Ft. Knox Community Schools, interned with Janice Lantz, Nelson County superintendent and Blake Haselton, Oldham County superintendent.
Diane Woods, middle school director in Fayette County, interned with Roger Marcum, Marion County superintendent and Stu Silberman, Fayette County superintendent. Woods served as the superintendent for Campbellsville Independent school district until her retirement in 2009.
During the 2007-08 school year, the department awarded the internship to:
Demetria Choice, principal for the Northern Kentucky Education Cooperative, interned with Tim Hanner, Kenton County superintendent. Demetria is currently serving as a principal in the Christian County school district.
The Minority Superintendent Internship Program application will begin in February 2010.