The Kentucky School for the Deaf Advisory Board will meet Aug. 20

(DANVILLE, KY) –The Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) Advisory Board will meet at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 20.

Per KRS 167.037, this board is to be composed of nine members appointed by the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) upon the recommendation of the commissioner of education.

The purpose of the board is to act in an advisory capacity to assist school leadership and make recommendations related to: (1) school goals and objectives; (2) budget requests; (3) student services; (4) public relations; (5) construction and maintenance; and (6) program evaluation.

Membership on the board is statewide and consists of two parents of deaf children, one professional in education of the Deaf, one former student of the Kentucky School for the Deaf, one member of the Kentucky Association for the Deaf (KAD), two members who represent school districts, and two members at large. A majority of the board's membership is persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Advisory Board Members
Scott Haun, Professional
Bethany Yance, Former Student
Jeff Kassinger, Member at Large
Hailey Brock, Kentucky Association of the Deaf
Kela Parton, Member at Large
Robin Bush, District
Vacant, District
Erin Rhoden, Parent of deaf children
Cathy White, Parent of deaf children

A full agenda follows:

Kentucky School for the Deaf Advisory Board
Aug. 20 2026, 6 p.m. ET
Multi-Purpose Room at Marshall Hall, Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD)
303 S. Second St., Danville, KY
Watch Live on the KSD YouTube Channel

Agenda

• Welcome and Call to Order

  • Jeff Kassinger, Chair of KSD Advisory Board

• Election of New Officers

  • Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary

• Approval of May 7 Board Minutes

  • Chair of the KSD Advisory Board

• KSD Report

  • Faneshia Jones, Interim Principal, Kentucky School for the Deaf

• KSD Facilities Update

  • Chris Grey, Director of Operations, Kentucky School for the Deaf

• Student Life Report

  • Justin Padgett, Director of Student Life, Kentucky School for the Deaf

• KDE Update

  • Shannon Sparkman, Director of State Schools, Office of Special Education and Early Learning, Kentucky Department of Education

• New Business: Discussions, Goals, Objectives and Recommendations of Advisory Board

  • Chair of the KSD Advisory Board

• Public Comments

  • Chair of the KSD Advisory Board

• Adjournment

  • Chair of the KSD Advisory Board

Next Meeting:

TBA