Butler County, KY — Education thrives when schools, families, and communities work hand in hand. That truth came to life on September 18, 2025, when Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) leaders from across Region 2 gathered in Butler County for a dynamic regional meeting filled with celebration, training, and forward-focused planning.

Hosted in partnership with Butler County Schools, the event highlighted the Portrait of a Learner indicator of Collaboration, underscoring the district’s commitment to ensuring that students succeed not only in academics but also in life.

Superintendent Robert Tuck welcomed the group with heartfelt gratitude for the FRYSC coordinators’ service to students and families. In his opening remarks, he captured the spirit of the day:

“FRYSC centers are the great equalizers in education. Working shoulder to shoulder with teachers, principals, and parents, we lift the burdens on families so students can stand taller, dream bigger, and thrive. Every need met and every connection made removes a barrier to learning—that’s love in action. And together, we transform entire communities.”

The regional meeting served as a showcase of how collaboration—one of the five pillars of Butler County Schools’ Portrait of a Learner—shapes lasting change. The agenda wove together recognition, innovation, and collective problem-solving:

• Celebrations & Recognition: New coordinators from across Daviess, Ohio, McLean, Edmonson, and Owensboro Independent were welcomed, signaling both growth and momentum across Region 2. Melissa Gregory, Regional Representative, led moments of appreciation alongside a celebratory Advisory Councils video.

• Coalition Updates: Updates from the Division of Family Resource and Youth Services Coalitions (DFRYSC) highlighted rising in-kind support—from $2.34 million in 2023–24 to an inspiring $3.72 million in 2024–25—evidence of community-wide investment in children’s futures.

• Professional Learning: Guest presenters Kristen Hughson and Maggie Myers shared practical tools ranging from creative digital design for schools to an Impact/Effort Analysis framework. Attendees engaged in hands-on sessions exploring the National Family Support Network’s Program Assessment Tool, Staff Self-Reflection Tool, and Participant Survey.

• Shared Vision: With the theme “Advocate, Educate, and Celebrate!” guiding the year, teams worked in small groups to outline concrete action steps that will strengthen FRYSC programming and student outcomes.

Photos from the event (see attached) captured the energy of collaboration—whether coordinators were engaged in team discussions, learning from guest speakers, or brainstorming solutions in breakout groups.

For Butler County Schools, the gathering represented more than a regional meeting. It reflected the district’s belief that students thrive when adults model the very skills they hope to cultivate in learners: character, communication, collaboration, problem solving, and global citizenship.

“Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do,” Superintendent Tuck noted. “When we bring educators, families, and communities together around a shared vision, barriers to learning crumble and opportunities open wide.”

The day closed with open discussion, reminding attendees of the shared responsibility they carry—and the collective strength they embody. That strength mirrors Butler County Schools’ vision: “One team with one vision that makes us Butler Strong.”

As FRYSC leaders return to their home districts with renewed purpose, Butler County celebrates not only the professional growth achieved but also the deeper partnerships forged. These connections ensure that students across the region will have the support, resources, and encouragement they need to become lifelong learners and engaged citizens.

About Butler County Schools
Butler County Schools is dedicated to fostering student success through its Portrait of a Learner framework, which emphasizes the development of Character, Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Global Citizenship. Guided by the vision of “One team with one vision that makes us Butler Strong,” the district works alongside families and community partners to prepare every learner for a thriving future.