Departing state senator urges stronger local control and clearer discipline policies at Boone County board meeting
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Summary
State Senator Schickel, speaking as a longtime local official, urged the board to defend local control over school calendars and curriculum, criticized past PBIS discipline approaches as damaging to morale, and encouraged trustees to seek bipartisan collaboration.
State Senator Schickel, invited to speak during the board's audience-of-citizens segment, used his remarks to emphasize local control of schools, recount personal ties to the district and to urge trustees to prioritize clear discipline systems that support bus drivers and staff.
Schickel recounted his experiences as a Boone County school bus driver and a retired police officer, said the state constitution charges Kentucky with maintaining a system of common schools, and urged trustees to press for better recognition and compensation for school-board service. He criticized prior PBIS-era training as having "damaged" discipline and said the lack of clear systems can leave bus drivers without straightforward options and escalate problems. He urged trustees and associations to push back against what he called inappropriate legislative intrusions into local decisions such as the school calendar.
Board members thanked Schickel for his years of service and for visiting the meeting. The comments were offered as a farewell visit; Schickel said he comes yearly and wanted to leave parting advice as he prepares to depart the legislature.