KBE Awards Committee recommends candidate 4 for 2025 Karem Award

The Kentucky Board of Education Awards Committee voted March 20 to recommend candidate 4 as its pick for the 2025 Karem Award for Excellence in Education Policy and will forward that recommendation to the full board for consideration at its March 26 regular meeting.

Chair Diane Woods, who led the meeting, reviewed the award criteria, saying the Karem Award “is given to state policymakers, education leaders or citizens who have made notable, state-level contributions to the improvement of Kentucky's public education system.” She said criteria include demonstrated leadership in policy development, passage or implementation that increases student opportunities, improved postsecondary or workforce outcomes, or increased capacity of teachers and school staff to meet students’ academic, social or emotional needs.

Committee members said they had reviewed nominees in advance using a provided rubric and “positively commented on the qualifications of candidate 4,” the committee minutes show. Julie Pile moved to approve the committee’s recommendation of candidate 4 and Chair Diane Woods seconded the motion; the motion passed in a roll call vote. Lu Young attended the meeting for discussion but did not participate in motions or votes, stating she was unable to turn on her camera.

GlyptusAnn Grider Jones stated that a quorum was present for the virtual meeting. After approving the recommendation, the committee completed its business and voted to adjourn.

The full Kentucky Board of Education is scheduled to consider the Awards Committee’s recommendation at its March 26, 2025 regular meeting.