Fayette County School Board Member Marilyn Clark will retain her position on the governing entity for the state’s second-largest school district.
Clark had been appointed to the Fayette School Board last January to fill the seat held by Christy Morris. Clark collected about 51% of the vote in her race against Janet Greene. She said the school system’s strategic plan is working and it’s evidenced by increases in test scores. But the economic inclusion manager at UK said the efforts go beyond student testing.
“Always about having…not just test scores..but making sure our students are well prepared to go out into the world..that they have great mental health..we’re working on that. That they are well rounded,” said Clark.
Clark said she’s not supportive of school vouchers. She noted the school system is already getting less money from the state. And Clark added it’s important to maintain what’s in place now in the school district.
Clark said adequate pay can be beneficial when dealing with issues like a bus driver shortage.
“So we not only raised the pay scale for the bus drivers but also some of our other grounds keepers and maintenance workers and other people who make the school district work,” said Clark.
Clark said that can help prevent situations seen in other districts. A bus driver “sickout” occurred in Louisville this week where drivers complained of difficulties under a new transportation plan and student behavior issues. Clark said the Fayette system does have interventions such as behavior specialists.
The newly elected board member also says the state’s funding program for school districts, SEEK, has not kept up with inflation and needs further review.
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