The Kentucky Department of Education has announced that beginning Spring 2026, all Kentucky high school juniors will take the SAT instead of the ACT as the state’s official college readiness test.

This change is part of the state’s effort to make sure students are prepared for college and career pathways that reflect current learning standards and national trends.

We know change can bring questions, but our goal is to help every student feel confident and prepared. Our schools will continue providing guidance, practice opportunities, and clear communication as Kentucky makes this transition to the SAT.

Crime Stoppers of Hopkins County invites students to take part in the Hidden Hero Contest. This includes a poster contest to raise awareness for Crime Stoppers. Top winners from elementary, middle, and high school will receive $100 each and have their posters displayed in the community. There is also a PSA contest. Students are asked to create a 60-second video, Reel, or TikTok to raise awareness of the organization. The overall winner will receive $500. All entries must be submitted by Friday, November 7.

Local leaders learned about the many opportunities in area schools and colleges during the “State of Education” event today sponsored by Hopkins County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

HCS Superintendent Dr. Damon Fleming spoke about the Great Futures Start Here initiative.

“This is more than a motto — it’s our commitment,” Fleming said. “Every student who walks through our doors deserves a great teacher, a safe environment, a strong education, and a clear path to the future they choose.” 

The four core priorities of Great Futures Start here include the following: 

• Empowering Student Success;

• Elevating Teaching and Leadership;

• Ensuring Safe and Supportive Schools; and

• Engaging Families and the Community.

The district is focused on measurable, meaningful goals, such as improving early literacy and numeracy, increasing attendance, expanding access to college and career readiness, and ensuring equity.

“We are opportunity creators, not barrier builders,” he said. “We are removing hurdles, expanding access, and giving every student a real shot at success.”

Others who gave presentations during this event include Madisonville Community College President Dr. Cindy Kelley, Dawson Springs Superintendent Leonard Whalen, and Murray State University President Dr. Ron Patterson. Thanks to the Chamber, MSU, MCC, and First United Bank for making this event possible!

Hopkins County Schools is excited to launch a new Career Program of Studies with the Law and Public Safety Pathway at both Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins. This four-year program introduces students to careers in law enforcement, legal services, corrections, fire/EMS, and security.   

Madisonville North Hopkins instructor Nick Rice said, "One of the biggest surprises in my transition from law enforcement to teaching has been realizing what I enjoy most is being in the classroom — sharing my knowledge and experiences with students and watching them develop a passion for the subject." 

Rice started with the Kentucky State Police in 2004 after graduating from the KSP Academy. He was assigned to Post 2 Madisonville, where he spent his entire career. Rice worked in Hopkins County as a road trooper and became an Accident Reconstructionist, investigating the most serious collisions. He was promoted in 2013 to Sergeant, serving as Squad Sergeant supervising the Muhlenberg and Todd County Squad, Investigative Sergeant supervising detectives, and Administrative Sergeant as the primary Evidence Custodian. He retired from KSP in May 2025. 

Hopkins County Central High School instructor John Komar is well known to the students at HCCHS. He served as their School Resource Officer for the past 5 years. 

"I am excited to be part of the new Law Enforcement Pathway,” he said. “I feel it's a great way to provide a steppingstone for those wanting to go into law enforcement or a related career. It may also spark an interest and serve as a gateway for those looking for a career."

Komar is a veteran of the U.S. Army with several overseas deployments. He served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca, AZ, for four years. He entered the law enforcement field in 1999, working both as a Kentucky State Trooper and for the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office.

The pathway starts with the Foundations of Justice and Public Safety course. Additional classes include Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigations and Forensics, and Constitutional and Criminal Law. Students will explore roles of investigators and the process. They will also participate in projects that will simulate an investigation from receiving the initial call to making an arrest, and holding a mock trial.

Author and illustrator Mark Ludy shared his message with HCS elementary students during recent school visits. Ludy is perhaps best known for his book “The Flower Man,” a wordless picture book that reveals how simple acts of kindness can color a grey world. 

The visits to each of our elementary schools were made possible by the city of Madisonville which secured donors to provide each student with a free signed copy of “The Flower Man.” Middle school students also received a copy of the book.

“The stories you discover in this book are yours,” Ludy said to Hanson Elementary students during this visit. “No one gave them to you. They’re yours.” He asked each student to realize that their life, school, and community matter – and for them to give it their all. Thanks to the city of Madisonville for this opportunity for our kids!

Teddy bears, bunnies, kitties,and more received extra special care recently at Hopkins County-Madisonville Public Library! Medicaid Nurse Aide students from Hopkins County Career & Technology Center provided checkups to kids’ favorite friends at the Teddy Bear and Stuffie Clinic that was held during storytime. We love to see our high schoolers reaching out to potential future HCS students!

Hopkins County students are giving back to the community! Student organizations that took part in community service last weekend include Hopkins County Central’s AFJROTC and FFA and Jesse Stuart Elementary School’s Isibindi house leaders volunteering at Breaking  Bread and the HCCHS Art Club helping out at the Christian Food Bank. JROTC cadets pulled double duty, also helping out at Pride Elementary School’s Fall Festival.

Madisonville North Hopkins agriculture students have been bringing community service into their class projects. The Sports Turf class used their skills to paint a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon on the school football field before the “pink out” game last week. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Floral Design class makes floral arrangements for residents of local nursing homes. This month, they learned to make pumpkin arrangements. This added a special fall flair to the community service project!

Two Hopkins County Schools employees were honored with the Great Futures Award during the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 20!

Tara Crowley, a special education teacher at Madisonville North Hopkins High School, demonstrates excellence in Student-Centered Impact, Leadership and Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion, Service and Dedication, and Family and Community Engagement.

She had a meaningful impact by reaching out to a parent of a student during the first week of school. She told the parent how proud she is to have this student in class. She ended the message by saying that this parent should also be proud. That meant the world to the mother, who nominated her for this award and said that Ms. Crowley shows patience both in and out of the classroom.

Karen Roberts, a speech language pathologist based at West Broadway Elementary School, demonstrates excellence in Service and Dedication.

She has worked in Hopkins County Schools for more than a decade. She goes above and beyond for the staff and students as she works to ensure children’s communication needs are met. She always looks into students if a concern arises and is willing to do what’s needed to help others. She is described as kind and friendly, and a person who works well with the families of her students. She makes sure her responsibilities are fulfilled. The spirit of her work is captured in the quote, “The greatest gift you can give someone is the power to express themselves.”

Hopkins County Schools has received The Trailblazer Award from The Prichard Committee. The award was presented last week during the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative conference in Lexington. The award was presented “for boldly leading the charge to bring community schools to every corner of the district.” It recognizes how the Community Schools success of Browning Springs Middle School and Madisonville North Hopkins High School have been shared throughout the district.

Congratulations to Madisonville North Hopkins HS Marching Maroons on their outstanding competition season! The Marching Maroons advanced from KMEA Class AAAA Semifinals Saturday afternoon to Finals that night at Western Kentucky University. They placed 5th in the state! 

See the video of the Finals performance online.

The 2025 Maroon band program is titled, “Shear Betrayal - the Story of Samson and Delilah.”

Field commanders are Paige Brummer and Olivia White. Drum captain is Avery Crane. The Marching Maroons are 10-time Kentucky State Champions and 24-time KMEA State Finalists. The staff includes director Alan Emerson, Cory Mullins and A.G. Van Fleet, Color Guard instructors Kirsten Mendoza and Cayce Spence, percussion instructors Greg Deahl, Chase Brummer, and Liam Coursey, and special staff Al Courington and Brent Burris.

A Hopkins County Central FFA team won both the Pennyrile Regional Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation contests! Team members include JT Cotton, Tori Cunningham, Drake Peyton, and Adam Rideout. They will advance to the state contest in both areas in November. This is a three-peat for land judging, and back-to-back regional championships in Homesite!

Individual accomplishments include Drake Peyton scoring highest in both Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation, and JT Cotton in 2nd place in Land Judging.

Players and coaches with Browning Springs Middle School’s 7th Grade Football Team were honored at the Board of Education meeting on October 20. The team won the WKAC Championship!

320 S. Seminary St.

Madisonville, KY 42431