Sen. Elkins, Magistrate Pasley are Principal For A Day
- Shanda Crosby
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Two local leaders helped launch Clark County’s participation in Kentucky’s “Principal for a Day” initiative.
State Senator Greg Elkins spent the day at George Rogers Clark High School, while Magistrate Ernest Pasley took on the role at Conkwright Elementary. They toured classrooms, met with educators, and observed day-to-day school operations.
The experience gave both men a powerful, firsthand look at the real-life challenges and successes inside Clark County’s public schools.
Senator Elkins, who has now participated in more than a dozen “Principal for a Day” events across his district, described the experience as essential to his work in the legislature.
“I say it often—I wish more legislators would participate in these programs and get inside the classrooms to see the great work happening in our public education system,” Elkins said. “It would change attitudes. It would be a benefit to everybody.”
Elkins emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with local superintendents and school leaders so he can bring real classroom insight to policy debates in Frankfort.
“I’m not an expert in education—I’m a CEO by trade,” Elkins explained. “But because I take time to be in these schools and build relationships with superintendents like Dustin Howard in Clark County, I’m able to get real-time input. I’ve texted Superintendent Howard from the Senate floor during a vote. He pulls up the bill, gives me his thoughts, and I bring that straight into the discussion.”
The senator also stressed how vital education is in the state budget: More than 50% of Kentucky’s general fund goes to public education.
“That investment deserves more than numbers on a page,” he said. “This program helps ensure we’re supporting our schools in meaningful, informed ways.”
Meanwhile, across the county at Conkwright Elementary, Magistrate Ernest Pasley gained new perspective during his day on campus, especially around inclusion and student needs.
“When I was in school, there wasn’t much inclusion,” Pasley reflected. “I saw the playground had an area for students in wheelchairs, and I thought, ‘How powerful is that?’ To see that level of inclusion today — it’s been eye-opening.”
Pasley, who represents District 2 on the Clark County Fiscal Court, said the visit gave him deeper insight into the lives of families in his district.
“I found out that most of the kids at Conkwright come from my district,” said Pasley, who attended Conkwright as a middle schooler.
Pasley said visiting schools helps ensure that local policies reflect the real needs of families. “Each district in this county has different challenges, and our schools reflect that,” he said. “Keeping those differences in mind is essential when making decisions.”
Both Elkins and Pasley agree: Education policy shouldn’t be crafted in a vacuum.
Whether it’s state legislation or county budgeting, seeing the daily realities of teachers, students, and administrators helps inform better decisions.
Clark County Public Schools sincerely thanks Senator Elkins and Magistrate Pasley for their time and meaningful engagement with our schools.
