Estill County Schools Earn Through Dataseam
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (August 20, 2025) Spring and Summer break means a vacation from school for most Kentucky teachers and students. Still, schools statewide spend this time replacing, repairing, and upgrading instructional facilities for the next academic year. Estill County Schools was no different.
Ms. Tonya Beard, Estill County High School Kentucky GEAR UP instructor, spent a week of her vacation helping the district earn over $35,000 in classroom technology supporting ECHS new graphic arts program for the upcoming academic year through the district’s long-time partnership with Dataseam.
Dataseam, an education and workforce education organization based in Louisville, works with Kentucky K-12 schools, improving the state’s technology workforce as part of providing new classroom technology to schools addressing advanced curriculum needs and preparing students for next-generation workforce demands.
Estill County has been a partner in the statewide program since 2019. The district’s participation has brought students and staff more than $288,438.00 in new classroom technology during that period.
“Tonya was a great team player at the last minute to make sure Estill County Schools was part of the Dataseam training this summer”, said Estill County Schools Chief Information Officer Jeremy Simpson. “We work to leverage our local and state technology funds through Dataseam to provide a multiplier on instructional opportunities for students district wide. Not only will the workstations she earned support our new graphic arts program, but the district’s overall focus on college and career readiness efforts Kentucky GEAR UP drives statewide.
Computers provided by Dataseam are linked across the state district-by-district to assemble the DataseamGrid, a vital piece of Kentucky’s innovation and commercialization network. It helps the University of Louisville’s Brown Cancer Center develop more effective cancer drugs quicker and with reduced costs. The cancer computations run securely in the background and do not impede the districts’ daily classroom and Internet demands. Dataseam has worked in partnership for over 20 years with Kentucky K-12 schools advancing these efforts.
“Estill County Schools has been a great district partner for our program”, said Brian Gupton, Dataseam CEO. “Whether it’s technical training to improve our state’s IT workforce, teacher training improving instruction outcomes, DOL Registered Apprentices, or local matching of workstations, they make it happen. It creates meaningful outcomes for the Commonwealth, and we appreciate the Kentucky General Assembly’s support of the statewide effort.”
“This investment means Estill County teachers and students will have access to new tools that expand classroom learning and open doors to career pathways in growing fields,” said Sen. Brandon Smith, R-D-30. “In recent budgets, the General Assembly has delivered record funding for K-12 education, and I am proud to support initiatives like Dataseam that turn those dollars into real opportunities for students. I also want to thank our partners, from local educators to organizations like ARC and federal delegates, for helping make this possible. Together, we are ensuring our young people have every chance to succeed long after graduation.”
With efforts funded by the U.S Department of Labor, Appalachian Regional Commission and appropriation through the Kentucky General Assembly, Dataseam now serves 59 Kentucky public K-12 districts accounting for 40% of the state’s over 630,000 K-12 public school students.
For more information on the district: https://www.estill.kyschools.us
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About Dataseam
Dataseam provides education and workforce development opportunities to participating Kentucky K-12 public school districts as part of advancing Kentucky-based innovation and commercialization. More information at www.dataseam.org
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The firm recommended precautionary repairs be made on a non-structural wall. This wall is in an area inaccessible to students and we will complete the repair before the school year begins. The building remains safe for students and staff. The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we will continue to monitor the structure closely while pursuing funding for a new facility.
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Please review the new policy regarding student cell phone use as required by HB 208:
📵 Information on HB 208: No Cell Phone Use During the School Day 📵
From drop-off to pick-up, students are not permitted to use cell phones at school.
Phones must be off and stored in:
** Backpacks
** Pockets
** Lockers
Let’s work together to turn off phones and turn on learning!
Don’t miss your chance to play this season!
Sign-Up Dates & Locations:
Monday – Central Office, 5:30–6:30 PM
Wednesday – Central Office, 5:30–6:30 PM
Thursday – Kiwanis Ballpark, 5:30–6:30 PM
Due to recently updated guidelines from Kentucky Board of Nursing and its guidance for school nurses, and new KDE medication administration guidelines, there are changes in how over-the-counter (OTC) and Prescription (Rx) medications will be handled at school starting July 1, 2025.
All medications brought to school by the parent/guardian for administration by school employees,
including Rx daily medication, Rx short term (antibiotics, etc.) medications, and all OTC medications must have your student’s healthcare provider’s direction for use and signature on one of the following
forms:
1. Consent/Release Forms (Medication) Prescription or Over-the-Counter Medications at
school 09.2241 AP.21 available online as “Medication Rx or OTC “ on the Estill County Schools
Website or you can pick up a paper copy from the school health unit. You can also click this link.
2. An Individual Health Plan (IHP) completed for a chronic health condition (use OTHER for
headaches, stomach issues, or other health issues for which your student may need medication,
but NOT requiring prescription medication
3. A healthcare provider signed, written statement on their letterhead as part of a provider
health plan, DMMP, 504, IEP.
You as the parent/guardian may always bring and administer a dose of OTC medication to your child
during the school day (or designate someone on the student’s approved pick up list,) but if you choose to have an medication kept at school for your child, you must have the healthcare provider sign one of the above forms. The medication consent and all IHPs have the option for healthcare providers to approve to self carry medications for certain conditions and health needs if this is deemed appropriate by the provider.
We appreciate your understanding during this transition to a safer, more restrictive administration of
medications at school.
Brooklyn Moreland, RN, District Health Coordinator
Estill County Schools
Ever wondered what it takes to compete at the highest level? Now’s your chance to learn from former D1 college players who’ve been there, done that, and are ready to help YOU level up your game!
📅 Saturday, August 23rd
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Estill County High School Gym
💵 $20 per player
👧 Open to ALL girls 1st – 9th grade
Featuring:
✨ McKenna Maggard – Oklahoma University
✨ Madison Flechler – Duke University
✨ Chloe Treece – Lexington Catholic
🔥 Skills Training
🔥 Stories from the College Court
🔥 Q&A Session with the Players
🎯 Spots are LIMITED — don’t wait!
📲 Register here: https://forms.gle/kBbKmf3jvma9bMLK7
Let’s pack the gym and get better together! 💪 #LadyEngineers #SkillsCamp #BasketballFamily #NextLevel
As she begins her 19th year in education here in Estill County, Mrs. Mays brings a wealth of experience and a heart for students. She has served as a classroom teacher, Reading Recovery interventionist, literacy coach, and most recently, assistant principal at ESE.
Mrs. Mays is honored to serve the students, families, and staff of Estill Springs. She is fully committed to ensuring that every child continues to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, supportive, and loving school environment.
Parents (PLEASE READ):
Regarding SB181, if you fill out a waiver for your student, BY LAW, you MUST fill out an individual form for each child, and for each designated employee or volunteer, who is not an approved family member.
You MAY NOT put more than one employee or volunteer on the form and you MAY NOT put more than one student on the form.
If mom/dad has 3 students, and they want three employees/volunteers waived for all three students, then mom/dad has to fill out the same form 9 times, one for each student and employee/volunteer!
Please understand we completely sympathize with you, however, we are required to do this due to how the law is written
https://www.estill.kyschools.us/page/sb-181
🎓 **Attention 2025 Graduates!**
Your school accounts have been **deactivated** as part of the annual transition process.
If you need **temporary access** for college, scholarships, or job-related purposes, please contact the Technology Department at **(606) 726-3070** to request reactivation.
We’re happy to help — best of luck in your next chapter! 💙💻
📢 **Estill County Schools: SB 181 Compliance Update** 📢
In full compliance with **Kentucky Senate Bill 181**, Estill County Schools has implemented all required measures to ensure transparency and accessibility for our families, staff, and community.
This includes providing clear and easy access to instructional materials, curriculum, and communication tools used throughout our schools.
📄 Learn more about our implementation of SB 181 and how we’re working to keep you informed and engaged ➡️
