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The first Clark County Board of Education meeting of 2025 occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 7. 

The Board welcomed two new faces. 

Carl Kiser (District 1) and Paula Thomas (District 3) were sworn in as the Board’s newest members, with Ashley Ritchie-Rowland, Dora Hall, and Ben Dorsey returning. 

“After I retired, I… thought I would run because I have a vision for Clark County, and I would like to see all students have the best education they can get and reach their highest potential,” Thomas said. “I’ve known Carl for years too…I think we have a lot of the same goals.” 

While Thomas is new to the Board of Education, she’s certainly no stranger to Clark County Public Schools. 

The Clark County native worked at Shearer Elementary School for over 30 years, even bypassing higher-paying offers in places such as Fayette County to stay loyal to the community she grew up in. 

According to his Facebook page, Kiser – also a Clark County native – works at The Allen Company, a leading road construction and asphalt paving contractor. 

Kiser and Thomas previously served on the Family Resource Center (FRC) Advisory Board at Shearer Elementary School. 

During the ceremony, Kiser – like several other school board members – was sworn in by Board Attorney Rebecca McCoy. 

Current Clark County Judge-Executive Les Yates swore in Thomas. 

“I’ve known Judge Yates for several years,” Thomas said. “I’ve [received] his support. I’ve got [the] PVA’s support…we’re [going to] do some good things for Clark County.” 

Working with the office of PVA or the Property Valuation Administrator, Jada Brady, Thomas looks forward to addressing concerns and thoughts regarding property taxes. 

Yet the longtime advocate for children’s education—who anticipates returning to schools, including Shearer, to take part in actions such as reading to kindergarten classrooms—understands what she and fellow board members want to achieve. 

“We’ve got to take care of our students first and then our staff,” Thomas said. “We all have to be together…making it work for the kids.” 

In addition to Thomas, Kiser, and others being sworn in as school board members, other topics were discussed. 

According to a published PDF document entitled “The Board Report,” Finance Director Aleisha Ellis was approved as Board Treasurer and CCPS Superintendent Dustin Howard was approved as Board Secretary. 

The Board also approved $3,735 toward the GRC and RDC Bands’ trip to the Kentucky Music Educators Conference in February, during which they will perform.