SOMERSET, KY (May 13, 2025) – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers, Dean of the House, convened a meeting on Monday at the Center for Rural Development with superintendents from 19 school districts in southern and eastern Kentucky, as well as the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. The leaders from each school district shared their concerns with Congressman Rogers about federal funding for education, food and medical needs in schools across Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District.

“Our schools’ superintendents face incredible challenges in meeting the needs of our students in Kentucky’s Appalachian region, including far more than education in the classroom,” said Congressman Rogers. “We discussed the best ways to help our students reach their full potential and the programs that are vital to their success."

While the federal funding process for fiscal year 2026 is in the beginning stages, Congressman Rogers encouraged school administrators to remain in constant communication about needs in their schools.  

The following superintendents attended the meeting with Congressman Rogers and Rhonda Caldwell, CEO of Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA): Dennis Messer, Barbourville Independent Schools Superintendent; Phillip Watts, Breathitt County Schools Superintendent; Vicki Jones, East Bernstadt Independent Schools Superintendent; Renee Smith, Jackson County Schools Superintendent; Wayne Sizemore, Jackson Independent Schools Superintendent; Greg Conn, Knott County Schools Superintendent; Jeremy Ledford, Knox County Schools Superintendent; Denise Griebel, Laurel County Schools Superintendent; Tharon Hurley, Laurel County Schools Deputy Superintendent; Katie Webb, Lawrence County Schools Superintendent; Ray Shuler, Lee County Schools Superintendent; Chris Meadows, Magoffin County Schools Superintendent; Brian Crawford, McCreary County Schools Superintendent; Tim Spencer, Menifee County Schools Superintendent; Gary Cornett, Owsley County Schools Superintendent; Kent Campbell, Perry County Schools Superintendent; Patrick Richardson, Pulaski County Schools Superintendent; Carrie Ballinger, Rockcastle County Schools Superintendent; Brian Dishman, Wayne County Schools Superintendent; and John Siler, Whitley County Schools Superintendent. 

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.

More photos are available on Congressman Rogers' Facebook and Instagram pages.