Local school board recognizes outgoing student representatives

The outgoing student school board representatives were recognized for their service and a five-year strategic plan was presented at Thursday’s Christian County School Board meeting.

Karla Quintanilla represented Hopkinsville High School and K’Veon Ivory represented Christian County High School on the board for the 2025-26 school year, and the pair graduated in May.

In the fall, Quintanilla will attend Hopkinsville Community College to receive her registered nursing certification, and afterward she plans to transfer to Murray State University to pursue a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. Then, Ivory will attend Western Kentucky University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

CCPS Superintendent Chris Bentzel says the pair contributed to many important conversations by being a voice for their classmates and appreciates their service.

Quintanilla says she is grateful to have been able to serve on the board and hopes they left a mark by being the last two students to represent HHS and CCHS ahead of consolidation. She also gave board members a head up and shared that students are already interested in serving on the board next school year.

Ivory says he is going to miss serving among his fellow board members and thanked the educators who encouraged him to apply for the position.

Turning to voting matters, board members were presented with the 2026-2031 strategic plan. Director of Academics Kadi Ralston presented the plan, which includes five focus pillars: academic excellence, student readiness, family and community partnerships, professional culture and compensation and operational efficiency and facilities. Ralston also shared that accountability is an overarching pillar, and there will be a system developed to measure the progress of the other five pillars.

Construction continues at the consolidated Christian County High School, and the board approved the purchase of sound system equipment from Music Central for the band room, choir room and athletic field. Board members also approved the purchase of band room furniture totaling around $22,000.