Wayne County Superintendent John Dalton will retire May 31, ending his 18 year tenure at the helm of the county school system. Dalton announced his retirement during an emotional meeting of the school board Thursday, January 16.

“It is with great joy, tempered with great emotion, that tonight I am announcing my retirement as Superintendent of Wayne County Schools effective May 31, 2014,” Dalton stated in a letter he presented to board members. “I would like to thank God for the wonderful opportunity to serve as superintendent for 18 years and for a total of 29 and a half-years at Wayne County.”

In the letter, Dalton also expressed his appreciation to the Wayne County Board of Education, current as well as past members.

“Thank you for your confidence in me 18 years ago, and thank you for your support and your earnest desire to work together to always try to provide the best opportunities for young people,” he stated.

Dalton thanked the staff of Wayne County who have worked hard over the years for the students in the school district.

“And finally, thanks to the best group of young people and parents anywhere. It has been a pleasure serving you at Wayne County Schools,” stated Dalton.

Dalton said that through his years as superintendent he has talked with others as they made the decision to retire. He said the only advice he has given to those contemplating retirement is “you will know when you are ready.”

“For the only time in my career, through good times and less than good times, I know that I am ready,” said Dalton.

Throughout his 18 year career as superintendent, Dalton has become known as a tremendous leader of a district which now has approximately 3,500 students.

Dalton has managed approximately $40 million worth of buildings and property and has overseen an annual budget of over $26 million.

Most recently, he successfully managed the merger of a school district in a very short window of time without any extra funds to accommodate moving expenses and renovations.

Board members were deeply saddened to learn of Dalton’s resignation. School Board Vice-Chairperson Perry Elam stated that a leader is so important to a school district, and he commended Dalton for his leadership. He noted that Dalton “has left very big shoes to fill.”

“I have enjoyed working with you, and this school system won’t be the same without you,” said Elam.

Board Chairperson Patty Roberts noted that Dalton is a “superintendent for the kids.”

“It has been a great privilege for us to serve students with your guidance and expertise at the helm of this district for so many years,” said Roberts. “We will definitely miss looking to you for your sound judgment and knowledge of school matters. Mostly we will miss the integrity you have demonstrated. We wish we could change your mind, but we respect your decision and wish you the very best. Thank you for all you have done for our school and community.”

The process to fill the vacancy left by Dalton’s retirement is expected to begin soon.

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The Wayne County Board of Education unanimously approved the plan for revised school board divisions, during a meeting held on Thursday, January 16.

The five districts changed as required by law due to the incorporation of the Monticello Independent School District into the Wayne County system.

Superintendent John Dalton noted that the five divisions included in the Wayne County School District were redrawn to incorporate the former Monticello School district.

Law requires that the districts have an equal distribution of population. Dalton also noted that the new districts do not split any precincts.

“The goal was to only have a 10 percent deviation in population from district to district,” explained Wayne County School Board attorney Gordon Germain. “We took maps from the Property Valuation Administration office revealing the Monticello Independent School District and Wayne County School District boundaries and worked on the new design with the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.”

Some of the county districts changed slightly, while others were shifted more geographically. The center of the map where the entire city school district has been located was absorbed into each of the new Wayne County School divisions.

During the meeting, board members examined the new maps showing where the changes had been made.

School officials noted that the city school district lines should not be confused with the city limit lines, which primarily fell outside the small defined city school district.

The Wayne County Board of Education will eventually return to five seats.

“The statute provides for it to become five members through the natural cycle of elections,” said Germain.

Two of the four-year board seats will be up for election in 2014. So several of the board members who will now fall in District Three will have to consider running for re-election in November 2014.

The District Four seat will also be on the ballot in November 2014.

The remaining districts will be placed on the 2016 ballot. In January 2017, the board of education will be back to five members.

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Representative Ken Upchurch, R-Monticello (52nd District) filed legislation that if passed would no longer require, in most cases, Kentucky drivers to carry proof of insurance.

House Bill 218 would instead allow law enforcement to check whether a driver has insurance by checking the Automated Vehicle Information System, or AVIS, through a computer in the officer’s patrol car.

“With the advent of technology related to insurance, it’s time that the Commonwealth streamline our system allowing law enforcement to confirm proof of insurance during traffic stops and accidents without the need for drivers to carry a piece of paper,” said Upchurch. “Much of what we do in our daily lives can be done by electronic means instead of paperwork, so my bill I believe is a no nonsense way to utilize AVIS for confirming insurance coverage for Kentucky drivers.”

HB 218 makes one exception for proof of insurance, which would require any Kentuckian who purchases a new or pre-owned car, or changes insurance carriers, to carry documented proof of their vehicle for the first 45 days of ownership.

Upchurch says the one exception is needed to allow time for Kentucky’s AVIS system to be updated with the new information.

Upchurch filed HB 218 on January 15 in the Kentucky House of Representatives.