U.S. Representative Harold “Hal” Rogers held a meeting on Monday at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky. The meeting brought together superintendents from 19 school districts in southern and eastern Kentucky, alongside the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). Discussions centered on federal funding for education, as well as food and medical needs within schools across Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District.
“Our schools’ superintendents face incredible challenges in meeting the needs of our students in Kentucky’s Appalachian region, including far more than education in the classroom,” stated Congressman Rogers. “We discussed the best ways to help our students reach their full potential and the programs that are vital to their success.”
The fiscal year 2026 federal funding process is still in its early stages. Congressman Rogers urged school administrators to maintain ongoing communication about their schools’ requirements.
Superintendents present at the meeting included Dennis Messer from Barbourville Independent Schools, Phillip Watts from Breathitt County Schools, Vicki Jones from East Bernstadt Independent Schools, Renee Smith from Jackson County Schools, Wayne Sizemore from Jackson Independent Schools, Greg Conn from Knott County Schools, Jeremy Ledford from Knox County Schools, Denise Griebel and Tharon Hurley from Laurel County Schools, Katie Webb from Lawrence County Schools, Ray Shuler from Lee County Schools, Chris Meadows from Magoffin County Schools, Brian Crawford from McCreary County Schools, Tim Spencer from Menifee County Schools, Gary Cornett from Owsley County Schools, Kent Campbell from Perry County Schools, Patrick Richardson from Pulaski County Schools, Carrie Ballinger from Rockcastle County Schools, Brian Dishman from Wayne County Schools and John Siler from Whitley County Schools.
For further information regarding Congressman Rogers’ initiatives both in Washington and locally in Kentucky, individuals are encouraged to visit halrogers.house.gov or follow his social media profiles. Additional photographs can be found on Congressman Rogers’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
