New home will be outside District 5 boundaries

Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fayette County Board of Education Chairwoman Becky Sagan, who has been on the school board for nearly six years, said Wednesday she has notified the state commissioner of education that she is resigning effective immediately because she is buying a home outside of the district she represents.

“Becky has been a phenomenal board member,” said Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman. “Having come through the ranks of PTA and school-based decision making councils, she had a deep understanding of what was needed for our kids.”

Sagan and her husband, Ken, have a contract to purchase a home on the same street as her parents.  She said the couple was not in the market for a home but could not pass up the chance to live closer to her mother and father, who will need more assistance as they grow older.

“It’s an opportunity for me to be within walking distance of my aging parents and allow me to spend more time with them, which I am happy to be able to do,” Sagan said.

Sagan was elected to represent District 5 on the Fayette County Board of Education in November of 2004.  Since the seat was vacant at the time, the state education commissioner appointed her to begin her service early and she started that month. She was re-elected to a second full four-year term in 2008.  Known for asking pointed questions about student achievement and school culture and climate, Sagan has been chairwoman of the board for two years.

“I can say without hesitation that during the time she served on the board, she made every single decision based on what she believed was best for kids,” Silberman said. “Her passion for doing the right things for our students shined through during her entire term of service. She will be deeply missed.”

Although she is excited about her new home, Sagan said the move is bittersweet because it has forced her to leave the school board.

“I’ve enjoyed my six years on the board and I feel like we are moving forward fast,” she said. “I’m sorry I’m not going to be present for some of the wonderful celebrations we’ll be having as our school system continues to make progress. But I’ll still be in Lexington and I’ll be cheering from the sidelines.”

A former special education teacher, Sagan spent more than 15 years as an active volunteer and leader in parent teacher associations at local Fayette County schools. She served as both the president of the 16^th District PTA and a board member of the state PTA.  Sagan also held terms on school-based decision making councils, and districtwide committees and notably was the parent representative on the superintendent screening committee when Silberman was hired.

During Sagan’s time on the school board, student achievement has skyrocketed, from four district schools surpassing 100 on the state accountability system to 24 this year.  She played a role in putting the district on solid financial ground and supported needs-based budgeting.  Sagan also helped amass community support for a sorely needed property tax increase in order to address longstanding facility needs.  She was a part of the board that approved the tax and has since launched an aggressive construction program, with 21 renovations and new buildings currently in various stages of completion.

“I’m very happy about the strides we’ve taken on our facilities toward ensuring that all students go to school in modern, state-of-the-art learning environments,” she said. “I’m also proud to see that we are focusing on student achievement across all levels – elementary, middle and high school.  I’m certain that now everyone does believe that all kids can learn at high levels.”

Under Kentucky statute, the state commissioner of education will have 90 days to appoint someone to the open seat.  The appointed school board member will serve for one year and the position will be up for election in the fall of 2011.

Despite all the gains during Sagan’s tenure, she said there is still work to do and she was hopeful that applicants for her seat would continue to push for an excellent education for every single child in our community.

“Fayette County is doing great things right now and I know that will continue,” Sagan said. “We’re still working to ensure that no matter where you live in Lexington, you are able to attend a high achieving school. We’re getting there, but we’re not there yet.”