Hello everyone!
We are excited to share an opportunity for our community to help shape the future look of Carroll County Schools!
Below is a Google Form link featuring four potential choices for our new official district color. As we consider this change, we recognize the history, tradition and pride associated with the black and gold that have long represented our schools and community. We value that history and, just as importantly, value your input.
Please take a moment to review the choices and cast your vote using the link below. The survey will be open until Friday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.
Your opinion matters, and we appreciate you taking the time to be part of this process!
https://forms.gle/3kwkYpd2kUnXhVtv5
Halloween was a busy time at Carroll County Schools!
Trick or treat events were held throughout schools, costumes of all types and sizes could be spotted from elementary to high school and, of course, we were so excited to see the huge turnout at the district-sponsored Trunk or Treat! It was also fun to see the Carroll County Area Technology Center students turn their school into a giant Halloween house for their neighbors at Cartmell Elementary.
The Kindergarten and Winn enrichment teams tied for first place - the Monsters Inc and Inside Out teams. They will split a $150 prize, which can be used for their classrooms. The People’s Choice award went to Kelly Tuttle’s depiction of Andy’s Room from Toy Story.
(More Trunk or Treat photos on the District Facebook page.)
Each month, attendance numbers will be reviewed to determine which school has earned the Traveling Panther trophy. The winning school will receive a special visit from our Panther mascot as we celebrate students and staff for their efforts in making school attendance a priority.
The Traveling Panther trophy will be displayed in the winning school's front office and will travel to a new school each month based on attendance results.
We'll coordinate with each winning school to schedule a presentation and celebration with students and staff. We'll also take photos to share the good news with our Panther family.
We hope this monthly tradition will be a fun way to recognize the importance of showing up, encourage good attendance habits and celebrate our schools.
Our Panther logo is currently showing off a little mystery. No color just yet, but what will it become?
We'll soon be asking our staff, students, families and community to vote on our new official district color. That color will help shape the look of our Panther logo and district branding moving forward.
Stay tuned for more details and an opportunity to cast your vote!
Hello Panther Friends and Families! Please use thi slink to access Dr. Stephenson's newsletter.
Superintendent's Corner
Carroll County Schools is planning opportunities for families and community members to help shape how the district measures school success as changes to Kentucky’s accountability system are anticipated.
Following a review of the latest Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) results, Superintendent Dr. Robin Stephenson is planning a series of idea-sharing sessions to gather input on what stakeholders consider important when evaluating school performance. The goal is to develop a broader picture of success that reflects not only test scores but also the skills, experiences and opportunities students gain throughout their education.
“We’re going to start hosting some sessions to where we are purposely inviting in families and community members to give us feedback moving forward on what they would like to see from us,” Stephenson said. “Our kids go beyond a color rating or a number. ”
Kentucky’s changing accountability system allows districts to consider local measures, and Stephenson sees an opportunity to build on work already underway in Carroll County Schools. Through the district’s Panther Path initiative, students complete capstone projects and maintain portfolios documenting their growth as empowered learners, critical thinkers, productive collaborators and effective communicators.
Stephenson said students embraced the capstone process last year, demonstrating their learning and presenting evidence of their progress. The district hopes to build on that experience as it considers ways to recognize student growth beyond standardized testing.
“Our kids were absolutely phenomenal with capstone defense last year,” she noted.
As the district considers ways to measure success, Stephenson also wants to hear what families and community members value beyond academics. She emphasized the importance of creating schools where students feel connected and have opportunities to participate in sports, band and other extracurricular activities, while ensuring families and community members feel welcome and involved.
“We want our schools to be places where kids want to be and feel connected, where our families feel welcome and our community members know they’re welcome, too,” Stephenson said.
The latest KSA results included several positive developments:
👉All three schools increased their Proficient and Distinguished reading scores.
👉Carroll County High School earned a blue rating in postsecondary readiness, scoring 14 percentage points above the state average in that area.
👉Cartmell Elementary School, after three years as a Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) school, is no longer identified as a TSI school.
👉Cartmell Elementary and Carroll County Middle School earned a blue rating in English learner proficiency.
Stephenson acknowledged that the district still has work to do but said the results reflect steady progress and the efforts of students and staff.
“We’re making slow but steady gains across the board,” she said. “We know we have work to do, and we have a great team in place. We’ll continue to look for ways to improve.”
Our staff and students are so excited to greet our community at the district-sponsored Trunk or Treat event tonight from 5-7 p.m. in the CCHS parking lot.
Please park at Cartmell or the ATC and walk to the high school to be part of all the fun. Nearly 70 trunks are lining the high school parking lot to celebrate Halloween with our community.
We can't wait to see all the cute costumes and share in the fun with everyone!🎃👻
Approximately 65 trunks will line the parking lot, ready to hand out candy and help make it a fun evening for our Panthers and their families. Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume, bring the kids and enjoy an evening of treats and community fun!
📅 Thursday, October 29
⏰ 5-7 p.m.
📍 Carroll County High School parking lot
It's free, it's fun, and everyone is welcome! We can't wait to see you there!
One District. One Family. One Panther.
Please use this link to access Dr. Stephenson's first community newsletter.
https://sites.google.com/carroll.kyschools.us/ccschoolssuperintendentscorner/home
Carroll County Schools is hosting a community Trunk or Treat on October 29, and you’re invited! Around 65 school groups, teams and staff members will be ready with candy and Halloween fun for our little ghosts and goblins. Everyone is asked to park in the Cartmell Elementary lots and walk to CCHS.
📅 Thursday, October 29
⏰ 5-7 p.m.
📍 Carroll County High School parking lot
Put on your favorite costume, bring the family and join us for a fun evening with your Panther family. We can’t wait to see you there!
Join Carroll County Schools from 5-7 p.m. on October 29 for an evening of Halloween fun! Approximately 65 school groups, teams and staff members will line the Carroll County High School parking lot, ready to hand out candy to our community. Everyone should park at Cartmell Elementary School and walk to the high school parking lot. The Highway 227/Park Avenue entrance to CCHS will be closed to vehicle traffic during our event.
Bring the family, dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and enjoy a fun night of trick-or-treating with our Panther family. Everyone is welcome!
We can't wait to see you there!
Please take a moment to review this flyer for helpful guidance on when it’s best to keep your child (or yourself) home and when it is safe to return to school. Allowing time to rest and recover helps your child heal and protects classmates and staff as well.
Thank you for your care, understanding, and support in keeping our Panther community healthy and learning strong!
This appointment will be effective until the November 2027 regular election. The Carroll County Board of Education has 60 days to select a person to fill the vacancy or the Kentucky Department of Education will appoint a representative.
Responsibilities include:
Setting policy to govern the district
Hiring/evaluating the superintendent
Levying taxes
Adopting the district budget
Board members must:
Be at least 24 years old and a Kentucky citizen for the last three years
Be a registered voter in District 1
Have completed the 12th grade or have a GED certificate
Meet all other legal qualifications (KRS 160.180)
Complete required annual in-service training.
Applications are available at the Carroll County Board of Education. Mail applications to: Superintendent, ATTN: Board Vacancy, 813 Hawkins St., Carrollton, KY 41008.
Kentucky is experiencing a measles outbreak with 170 confirmed cases as of October 16, 2026. Measles, a highly contagious illness, can be prevented by receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health has confirmed cases in Carroll County, but there are none in Carroll County Schools. Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. Please be mindful of these symptoms before sending children to school. Kentucky measles information is available at this link: Kentucky Measles Dashboard
Some general information to consider:
‣ Kentucky currently has 170 confirmed cases of measles in Kentucky.
‣Measles is highly contagious. Exposure can occur simply by being in the same area, such as a gym, as someone with measles.
‣Two MMR doses are recommended for full vaccination.
‣If someone is exposed and is not fully vaccinated, they may need to remain home and be monitored for 21 days. We can offer home hospital services during this time if appropriate.
‣A healthcare provider can order a test to check immunity.
‣After exposure, a child may be able to receive an additional MMR dose if at least 30 days have passed since the previous dose.
The meeting begins at 2 p.m. in the Carroll County Board of Education office at 813 Hawkins Street, Carrollton. The meeting is open to the public.
Know someone who goes above and beyond in education?
Help us celebrate them by nominating a deserving individual for a chance to receive an OVEC Honoring Excellence Award! Tell us their story, share what makes them exceptional, and give them the recognition they deserve at OVEC’s 50th Anniversary Ceremony in November.
Nominations are open September 1–27, 2026.
www.ovec.org/nominate
