Three school board members take oath of office
Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Thursday, January 06, 2011
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Scenes from the swearing-in ceremony and reception ... Amanda Ferguson, Doug Barnett and Daryl Love.
Three members of the Fayette County Board of Education were sworn into office Thursday by a judge who commended their vision and commitment.
“We entrust to (them) the greatest asset we have today – our children,” said Chief Judge Jeff Taylor of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
The decisions they make and the structures they put in place will produce Lexington’s future leaders, he said before administering the oath.
Doug Barnett was elected in November to his first term representing District 2, and incumbent Amanda Ferguson was re-elected in District 4. Six weeks later, the state education commissioner appointed Daryl Love to the seat left open when then-board chairwoman Becky Sagan resigned because her family moved out of District 5.
“Being a board member is a huge service to our community,” Superintendent Stu Silberman told the crowd gathered for the ceremony at Sandersville Elementary.
He also cited the school district mantra “It’s About Kids,” noting “Everything we do has to go back to that motto.”
Service, citizenship and excellence were on display as students opened the program. A color guard from Bryan Station High School’s Air Force JROTC unit presented the flags, two teens from Lafayette High School sang the National Anthem, and this year’s junior fire chief, a fifth-grader at Sandersville, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sandersville chorus also performed.
After the swearing-in, nearly a dozen Sandersville kids stepped up for a prepared Q&A with the board members. Among their questions: What’s the main function of the board? Why does someone run for school board? What are the board’s goals and objectives? And how can the board involve the community in the local schools?
“We as a community are here to make sure you all have the best educational opportunity,” said Love, who said the board supports kids’ dreams whether they want to become a lawyer, an engineer or a teacher.
Barnett, who encouraged parents to get involved and volunteer in the schools, noted how students can help everyone meet their goals.
“Come to school ready to learn, read a lot, and treat each other with respect,” he said.
Fayette County Public Schools, which has more than 38,000 students and counting, welcomes input not only from the community but also from the kids.
“Our district is very open to listening to new ideas,” Ferguson said, noting how Silberman meets regularly with middle and high school students in Stu's Crew. “We don’t think anybody’s too young to have a good opinion.”
Fayette County Board of Education