of Education, completing the unexpired term of former board member Corey
Groseclose, who resigned after his daughter accepted a teaching position in the district.
An Engineering Supervisor at Nucor and father of three, Shovlin is eager to help Carroll
County Schools build on its strengths and prepare students for the future.
āI want to understand what we can do even better and how I can help,ā Shovlin said. āI
want to see Carroll County Schools continue to grow and give our students every
opportunity to succeed.ā
Through his involvement with the Future 42 program, Shovlin takes part in mock
interviews with high school students and eighth graders. The experience has given him
a closer look at the skills students need as they prepare to enter the workforce.
āI think we need to look at how weāre preparing our kids for the real world,ā he said. āI
want to find ways to help us improve.ā
As he begins his service, Shovlin hopes to learn more about the districtās current
practices and needs, while also exploring ideas that have worked well in neighboring
districts. Supporting teachers and coaches, as well as helping retain talented educators, is
another priority.
āThe teachers my kids have had are great teachers, and I want to make sure weāre
doing what we can to keep good people here,ā he said. āIād like to see people want to
make a career out of Carroll County.ā
Board Chairperson Gwen Chapman and Superintendent Dr. Robin Stephenson both welcomed Shovlin to the board.
āI am pleased to welcome Paul Shovlin as our newest board member,ā Chapman said. āHe brings a strong commitment to our students and families, and a genuine passion for public schools. We look forward to working collaboratively with him to support our teachers and strengthen our schools. Congratulations on behalf of the whole board.ā
Though this is Shovlinās first political role, he brings leadership experience from his work
as an Engineering Supervisor. He also values responsible budgeting, drawing on
Nucorās emphasis on treating company resources with the same care as personal
money.
Shovlin plans to listen, learn and identify practical ways to support the districtās
students, staff and schools.
āI try to be involved in everything, so this is another opportunity for me to help the school
my kids attend,ā he said.
Shovlin was selected following an application and interview process with the existing
board. He will attend the next Board of Education meeting as he begins representing
District 1.
āI look forward to working with him as we continue to build on the good things happening in our schools and find ways to make them even better for our students, staff, and community. Iām glad to have him as part of our team,ā Stephenson said.
Carroll County Schools is planning opportunities for families and community members to help shape how the district measures school success as changes to Kentuckyās 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.
āWeāre 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,ā Stephenson said. āOur kids go beyond a color rating or a number. ā
Kentuckyās 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 districtās 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.
āOur kids were absolutely phenomenal with capstone defense last year,ā 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.
āWe want our schools to be places where kids want to be and feel connected, where our families feel welcome and our community members know theyāre welcome, too,ā Stephenson said.
The latest KSA results included several positive developments:
šAll three schools increased their Proficient and Distinguished reading scores.
šCarroll County High School earned a blue rating in postsecondary readiness, scoring 14 percentage points above the state average in that area.
šCartmell Elementary School, after three years as a Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) school, is no longer identified as a TSI school.
šCartmell 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.
āWeāre making slow but steady gains across the board,ā she said. āWe know we have work to do, and we have a great team in place. Weāll continue to look for ways to improve.ā
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!šš»
JAG is a program designed to empower students with the skills and opportunities to succeed in school, careers and life. It teaches them life skills and how to apply them to real-world situations. They work on improving communication skills, teamwork, financial literacy and have the opportunity to hear from community partners and guest speakers during thes school year.
Speeches were made by JAG President MacKenzie Gallagher, Vice President Shaylynn Richards and JAG Specialist Hannah Marsh.
This morning, when a teacher at CCHS became ill, Dr. Stephenson stepped in to substitute and keep the class going. She wasnāt looking for recognition, but thankfully, a staff member captured this photo!
Weāre grateful to have a superintendent who stays involved, supports her team and is always willing to lend a hand. Thank you, Dr. Stephenson, for all the ways you show up for our Panther family!
(Photo courtesy of Lacy Brawner)
Students and staff are getting into the Halloween spirit as they transform the ATC into a trick-or-treat adventure for their neighbors at Cartmell Elementary School. On Thursday, the halls will be filled with little ghosts, goblins and plenty of Halloween fun as they visit each of the classrooms, play games and collect sweet treats!
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!
š Thursday, October 29
ā° 5-7 p.m.
š 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.
The CCHS Lady Panthers basketball team will once again offer the Rising Stars program. Rising Stars is open to all Kā3rd grade girls in Carroll County.
Come learn and have fun while working with the Lady Panthers High School coaching staff, players, and one of our favorite alumni, Hemi Dickerson!!
Cost: $30
Registration will close Oct. 30, 2026
Each participant will receive a T-shirt and a skills shooter basketball
Dates and times are listed on the flyer. All practices will be held at Carroll County High School.
Registration and payment are required to complete enrollment. Please use this link:
Rising Stars Registration
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 youāre 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.
š Thursday, October 29
ā° 5-7 p.m.
š 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 canāt wait to see you there!
The district welcomed business and community leaders to Carroll County Middle School, where students from across grade levels took part in the program. Two students from Kathryn Winn Primary greeted guests, two Cartmell Elementary students led the Pledge of Allegiance, and two Carroll County High School students shared highlights about our district. The CCMS band performed for the guests and the W.E.B. Leaders served as hosts and hostesses.
Each student was well-spoken, confident and poised throughout their presentation. Weāre proud of these students and the way they represented Carroll County Schools!
(More photos on the District Facebook page.)
After completing their collaborative work, students can dive into passion projects driven by their individual interests, allowing them to explore their strengths, pursue their curiosity, and take ownership of their learning. (Photos courtesy of Mrs. Snow.)
The ELL students made the same presentation to their class and other districtwide administrators recently as part of an initiative to improve their speaking and presentation skills as well as give them confidence in their abilities. Each student spoke about their culture and a favorite food connected to their lineage. They explained why it is culturally significant, why they like the food and how to prepare the dish.
These young thinkers were hard at work during iLEAD Academyās STEM Night, where students led spectators in games they created in computer and engineering classes. The iLEAD high schoolers also challenged younger students to put their critical thinking skills to the test. (More photos on the District Facebook page.)
