Kentucky’s schools are in a race against time and inflation. While costs climb, state SEEK funding (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky) continues to lag behind, leaving districts under-resourced and overburdened. That’s where the Back on Track reports come in. For the second year in a row, The Alchemy Collaborative partnered with the Kentucky Council for Better Education (CBE) to transform a complex dataset into clear, district-level stories. These reports are designed to help superintendents, finance officers, and advocates communicate the urgent need for fair and adequate funding and to do it with confidence, clarity, and visual impact. f rom data to drive Each year, CBE gathers detailed funding data for every public school district in Kentucky. That includes: SEEK base funding per student Add-ons for at-risk, exceptional, and LEP students Transportation funding Tier 1 equalization funding We worked closely with CBE to translate that data into custom reports for each district, along with a statewide summary highlighting just how far SEEK funding has fallen behind inflation since 2008. Spoiler alert: Kentucky is currently underfunding students by more than $2,100 per student . That’s equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars in unmet need statewide. from reports to storytelling tools To support local advocacy efforts, CBE also offers an optional district-branded slide deck, designed by our team, featuring each district’s specific data and presenter notes to help leaders speak to stakeholders. But here’s the truth: Data alone doesn’t inspire action. A well-told story does. that’s where we come in. In addition to the materials we’ve developed through CBE, The Alchemy Collaborative works directly with districts to: Craft custom messaging and talking points Design one-pagers or infographics for board meetings Develop communications strategies around legislative or budget priorities Our goal? Help you tell the right story to the right audience, with the clarity and confidence it deserves. why it matters We believe good design is about more than looking polished; it’s about making important information accessible and actionable. In this case, that meant: Turning spreadsheets into storytelling tools Giving districts language they can use in budget meetings and public forums Supporting a collective call for change across Kentucky Because when every district is equipped to advocate, every student benefits. r eady to tell your story? If you’re a district leader looking to elevate your message, whether about funding, enrollment, facilities, or something else, we’re here to help. 💡 Let’s dig into your data and uncover the gold. 📩 Contact us to dream about what's possible.
kentucky districts are redesigning education for the ai era with local accountability, real skills, and clear communication to build trust and success.
coaches are more than game-day leaders In today’s schools, coaches are more than just sideline motivators—they’re powerful messengers of your district’s values, culture, and care. And with the recent passing of Senate Bill 181 , Kentucky districts are being called to rethink how every adult in the building communicates with students and families—including extracurricular leaders. This isn't just a compliance issue—it's a communication opportunity . the current challenge: inconsistent, unstructured communication If you're a district leader, this will probably sound familiar: Coaches are texting parents directly. Some teams are using GroupMe, others are on Remind. Calendars live in pockets, private apps, or Facebook groups. Parents ask, “Where do I even find the info?” Right now, extracurricular communication in many districts is chaotic at best and invisible at worst . Without a unified system, updates get missed, information is fragmented, and your district’s brand is diluted in every team huddle or missed bus pickup. what sb 181 really means for school communication Senate Bill 181 requires school districts across Kentucky to standardize how all personnel—coaches, club sponsors, volunteers—communicate with students and families. But let’s be clear: this law isn’t just about plugging in a new tool or checking a compliance box. It’s about stepping into a smarter, more connected approach to communication. And it’s a chance to: 🔐 Protect students through transparent, trackable communication 🧠 Empower coaches with clear systems that reduce guesswork 📢 Amplify your message across every corner of your district 🤝 Build trust with families by meeting them where they are 🧭 Align all messaging to your district’s values and vision from “random apps” to real strategy At The Alchemy Collaborative, we’ve helped districts make this exact shift. Here’s what a streamlined system can look like: Coaches use one platform to send updates and messages Calendars sync to phones so families never miss a change Notifications are instant , not scattered across apps Parents know exactly where to go —and who it's coming from This isn’t a “new app” solution. It’s a systems-first, people-centered approach to communication strategy. the culture shift: your coaches are your comms team When districts equip coaches with the right tools and training, the ripple effect is huge. Parents feel more informed and less frustrated. Students feel seen and supported . Coaches feel confident and clear on expectations. Your district’s brand gets lifted in every interaction—not lost. Think of it this way: families already trust their coaches. Let’s make sure the messages they send reflect your broader story. turn compliance into connection—here’s how we help At Alchemy, we partner with school districts to build clear, consistent communication systems that reflect your values, protect your people, and deepen family engagement. From strategy to implementation, we help you: Audit current communication channels Build unified workflows across buildings and teams Train coaches and sponsors with easy-to-follow processes Integrate communication into your district’s overall brand voice ready to make the shift? SB 181 isn’t a roadblock. it’s a runway. Let’s turn policy into purpose—and chaos into clarity. 📩 Contact us to schedule a free discovery call and start building a communication system that works for everyone in your district.
