Middlesboro’s Bennett to head state education group

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Bob Bennett, principal at Middlesboro High School, has been elected president of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators during the
group’s annual meeting in Louisville.
The new officers are:
• President: Bob Bennett, principal, Middlesboro Independent Schools
• President-elect: Taylora Schlosser, superintendent, Marion County Schools
• Vice President: Contessa Orr, chief academic officer, Logan County Schools
• Immediate Past President: Jason Detre, Ed.D., assistant principal, Jefferson County Schools

“In the coming year, the officers will lead work to sustain the education profession by cultivating support for public schools and reducing educator turnover; engage leaders of color and those with diverse ethnic backgrounds; raise KASA’s profile at the state and national level to drive policy that supports public education; and ensure KASA is on target to carry out the strategic mission of developing learners and connecting school leaders to
policy makers,” said Dr. Rhonda Caldwell, KASA Executive Director.

KASA is the largest school administrator group in Kentucky representing more than 3,100 education leaders from across the commonwealth.

Formed in 1969, KASA connects education leaders to policymakers, legislators, and other
interest groups, and provides numerous benefits to Kentucky’s school administrators.

The new president, Bennett began his career in education 28 years ago as a secondary mathematics teacher. During the past 11 years he has served as K-6 principal, preschool coordinator, high school and alternative school principal. A member of KASA for nine years, Bennett has served on the awards, governance and annual leadership institute planning committees as well as The Leadership Challenge® steering committee. He is currently in his second term as president of the Kentucky Association of Secondary School Principals.

He earned his B.S. and two M.A. degrees from Lincoln Memorial University and his superintendent certification from University of the Cumberlands.

Taylora Schlosser, superintendent in the Marion County school district assumes the role of
president-elect. She began her career as a GED coordinator and math teacher and quickly moved into her administrative career at an elementary school in her native Clay County. Schlosser has also served as a principal at both the middle and high school levels as well as the assistant superintendent in Marion County.

She has led the Marion County district for the past six years. A member of KASA since 2004, Schlosser has mentored new superintendents and served on the awards and annual leadership institute planning committees, the school safety council, and The Leadership Challenge® steering committee.

She earned her B.S., M.A, Rank 1 and superintendent certification from Eastern Kentucky University and is presently working on her Doctorate in Education Leadership from EKU.