KASS Live

In this episode of KASS Live, Frank D'Angeles, former principal of Columbine High School, joins the conversation to share what 27 years of leading through, and beyond, one of the most defining tragedies in American education history has taught him about school safety and superintendent leadership. From the daily work of building protective cultures to the long-term realities of community recovery, D'Angeles offers school leaders a grounded, experience-rooted perspective: safety is not a system to install, it is a culture to build. For Kentucky superintendents, this episode carries a direct message -- the most important investment any leader can make is knowing their people and being known by them. Strong culture does not guarantee prevention, but it is what determines whether a community survives and heals.

KASS Live welcomes Dr. Terry Brooks, Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates and one of the Commonwealth’s most respected voices on child and family policy.Dr. Brooks spent more than three decades as a public school administrator in Jefferson, Hardin and Oldham Counties, as well as at Anchorage Independent Schools. He later served as a lead qualitative researcher for the Governor’s Center of Excellence for the Advancement of Teaching, sharing a joint faculty appointment at the Universities of Louisville and Kentucky. His national work includes serving as lead senior associate for education at the Community Training and Assistance Center, where he partnered with mayors and governors in cities such as Albuquerque, Denver, Salt Lake City, Newark and Cleveland to lead systemic change efforts.Since 2005, Dr. Brooks has led Kentucky Youth Advocates, the Commonwealth’s seminal nonprofit watchdog for children. KYA advances policy across economic well-being, health, child welfare, education, early childhood and juvenile justice, working in both Frankfort and Washington to shape legislation and long-term systems on behalf of Kentucky’s kids.During this conversation, Dr. Brooks reflects on the intersection of child advocacy, public education and state policy, drawing on decades of experience in district leadership and statewide reform. The discussion will explore how education policy connects to broader child well-being, what effective advocacy requires in complex political environments, and how district leaders can navigate policy conversations while maintaining community trust.This KASS Live episode offers superintendents and district leaders the opportunity to hear from a leader who has spent his career bridging schools, policy, and child advocacy—bringing clarity, credibility and a child-centered lens to some of Kentucky’s most consequential education conversations.

KASS Live welcomes Julian Tackett, longtime Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and one of the most experienced leaders in state association governance.Now in his 42nd year with the KHSAA and serving as Commissioner since 2010, Tackett brings a deep institutional perspective on interscholastic athletics, student safety, governance, and the evolving role of technology in state-level administration. He has served on multiple National Federation of State High School Associations rules committees, including football, baseball, and basketball, and continues to administer major state championship events.During this conversation, Tackett will reflect on the intersection of athletics, policy, and district leadership, drawing on decades of experience working alongside superintendents, principals, and state leaders. The discussion will also explore lessons learned from managing statewide systems, adapting to change, and sustaining credibility and trust in highly visible public roles.This KASS Live episode offers superintendents and district leaders an opportunity to hear directly from a leader who has spent a career balancing tradition, student-centered decision-making, and operational complexity in Kentucky public education.

Generative AI is showing up in classrooms and board rooms across Kentucky, and many education leaders are asking the same question: What do we do next?In this episode of KASS Live, we are joined by John Nash, Associate Professor in Educational Leadership Studies at the University of Kentucky and founding director of the Laboratory on Design Thinking. John helps educators make AI practical and useful, not just theoretical, and he advises leaders from local districts to independent schools.

In this episode of KASS Live, Dr. Peter Stiepleman joined Executive Director Jim Flynn for a powerful conversation centered on what it means to lead with authenticity, clarity, and compassion in Kentucky’s public schools. Drawing on his experience as a former superintendent and national leadership coach, Dr. Stiepleman explored how strong relationships, intentional communication, and reflective practice can help school leaders navigate complex challenges while keeping students at the center of every decision.

Join us for this episode of KASS Live as House Education Chair Scott Lewis sits down with Dr. Jim Flynn to talk about the future of Kentucky’s public education system. The conversation covers Kentucky’s growing economic momentum, efforts to modernize the state’s accountability system, and the importance of building a strong educator workforce.Chairman Lewis also discusses targeted education investments, early childhood expansion, and how school leaders can strengthen relationships with legislators to support public schools statewide.If you’re a superintendent, educator, policymaker, or community leader, this is an insightful look at the key issues shaping the 2026 legislative session.

In this special feature from the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS), we’re joined by Beau Barnes, Deputy Executive Secretary of Operations and General Counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System of Kentucky (TRS).Beau brings a wealth of experience leading TRS through a period of historic progress and ongoing reform. In this episode, he offers candid insights into how sustained investment, sound governance, and transparent communication are helping secure the financial future of Kentucky’s educators — and why this work remains central to the success of public education statewide.