LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A management review conducted by the Kentucky Department of Education into the Nelson County Schools district has concluded.

In a letter sent to board chair Amanda Deaton and Superintendent Wes Bradley, KDE Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said he "determined that there is not a pattern of a significant lack of efficiency and effectiveness in the governance and administration of Nelson County Schools. Further, a management audit is not being ordered at this time." 

Download PDF Nelson County KDE Management Review letter final

The management review was issued after the state rejected the firing of Superintendent Bradley. KDE determined that the board's reasonings for his firing were not supported with "competent and relevant evidence."

KDE made three recommendations to the Bradley and the Board of Education at the conclusion of the management review:

  1. Develop a process to review, amend, and adopt all Board policies on a rotational calendar basis.
  2. Develop a timeline to review, update, and submit a new District Facilities Plan (DFP) to KDE.
  3. Develop a comprehensive communication plan to ensure all stakeholders are informed about district initiatives.

The management review report also detailed areas of focus for monitoring team members:

  1. Governance policy and procedures
  2. Instructional programming and organization
  3. Fiscal management and accountability procedures
  4. The maintenance and condition of the physical plant
  5. Facility construction
  6. Student transportation
  7. Community perception and support

Overall, KDE found few or no issues under: instructional programming and organization, fiscal management and accountability procedures, the maintenance and condition of the physical plant, and student transportation.

KDE noted in governance policy and procedures that board members felt "they could benefit from additional training to conduct effective and efficient board meetings."

The state also noted there is no system in place to adequately review policies and "neither the Board of Education nor the Superintendent can clearly communicate how policies directly impact student achievement."

There is also not a clear understanding of the district's organizational structure, and no comprehensive communication plan.

KDE concluded the governance policy and procedures section with "there is a strained/intense relationship between some Board Members and the Superintendent." 

Under facility construction, KDE said, "the District Facility Plan (DFP) is a major point of conflict between some board members and the Superintendent. The current DFP was approved by the Kentucky Board of Education in 2019 and revised with an amendment in February 2022, and a finding in December 2022. A new DFP was due in 2023; the district has not initiated a request for a waiver nor established a new facility planning process."

At the end of the report, KDE said after reviewing board meetings, interviews, and correspondence from the community sent to KDE showed that there is "unrest in Nelson County due to the current local facilities plan and the tension between the Board of Education and the Superintendent."

Download PDF Nelson County KDE Management Review final

The board and superintendent briefly discussed the results of the management review and KDE recommendations at its meeting on July 16.

There, Bradley suggested the district create a plan to review policies quarterly, potentially seat its local planning committee in early 2025 and revisit its communication plan to find ways to improve. 

Upon learning of the conclusion of the management review and KDE's decision not to perform a management audit, parent Jeff Parrish had mixed feelings about it.

"If the state were to step in and give us a specific list of requirements of what they expected to be done, a hand holding of the board if you will, I think it would've been helpful, but obviously they don't want to take charge of that, and honesty we shouldn't want the state to take over," said Parrish. "That's the reason a school board exists ... however it's very frustrating to be in the middle like we are today."

When asked if he feels Nelson County Schools' current leadership can make progress, Parrish was doubtful.

"They will kick this can through the election. Do I think anything productive will happen in the next three board meetings? Absolutely not," he said.

When asked about the results of the management review, Bradley provided WDRB with his comments sent to his staff: 

"In early April of 2024 I shared that we have much to celebrate in Nelson County and I believe the KDE team would agree following their time in Nelson County. In my conversation with the KDE team, it was clear that effective systems are in place across our district. 

This success is a result of your hard work and commitment to growth for our students and district...

As you know, we have great people doing great work across Nelson County, AND we never stop improving! While our schools had a strong 2023-2024, our best work is ahead in 2024-2025."

Nelson County board members and its attorney handling some litigation matters have not yet returned requests for comment.

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