Director at KDE to join HCS in 2011

kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com
A state education employee will join a local school district after the new year begins.
Deborah Hicks, director of the division of consolidated plans and audits at the Kentucky Department of Education, has been hired as director of Title I funds at Hardin County Schools. Hicks starts Jan. 3.
Title I is federal money targeted at schools with high poverty levels to give struggling students extra support, especially in reading and math. The director of Title I assists schools in managing and spending the money in the most effective ways.
Hicks said she will begin her new role by meeting with principals and others at the school level to learn how the money is being used so she can ensure they have the best plans in place.
“I’ve missed working directly with schools and districts, and I’m excited about being able to do that again,” she said.
Hicks said she had worked with HCS in her current position, and she was interested in the strategies the district is using for improvement.
“I just wanted to be a part of what they had in place, where they’re headed,” she said.
She has served as a Title I consultant for KDE and has been a principal in the Henry County Schools in her career as well.
James Phillips currently serves as Title I director for HCS. Phillips is retiring at the end of the year.
Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747.