Christian County Leaders Call for Stronger School-Business Partnerships

Community urged to support new consolidated high school model focused on career-readiness

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Business, education, and civic leaders in Christian County, Kentucky are calling for deeper partnerships between the local school district and the business community to support the district's new consolidated high school model focused on career-readiness. The leaders say collaboration between schools, employers, and community partners is crucial for student success and preparing the future workforce.

Why it matters

Christian County's school district is undergoing a major transformation, consolidating its two high schools and career technical center into a new academy-model high school. This shift represents an opportunity for the community to get more involved in shaping education and workforce development to meet local needs.

The details

The call to action came at a Christian County Chamber of Commerce event, where speakers emphasized the importance of student success being a shared responsibility. Leaders from the school district, local businesses, and a regional education expert discussed plans for the new high school model that will organize students into career-focused learning communities. The district is launching a 'Powerful Partnerships Initiative' to recruit more business partners to support the transformation through activities like hosting student tours, job shadowing, advisory councils, and internships.

  • The Christian County Chamber of Commerce Eye Opener Breakfast took place on February 4, 2026.
  • Christian County Public Schools is preparing to open its new academy-model high school consolidating the district's two high schools and career technical center.

The players

Taylor Hayes

President of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce.

Martha Steil

Representative from United Southern Bank, a longtime supporter of education projects in the community.

Ken Carver

Executive Principal of Christian County High School.

Kimberly Fifer

Director of educational innovation at the Central Indiana Educational Service Center and expert on the Ford Next Generation Learning model.

Cody Noffsinger

Chairperson of Pre-K to Biz, a group launching the 'Powerful Partnerships Initiative' with the Chamber of Commerce.

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What they’re saying

“Education does not happen in isolation. It thrives when businesses, organizations, and neighbors step forward as partners. Education serves the entire community, not just the schools.”

— Taylor Hayes, President, Christian County Chamber of Commerce (wkdzradio.com)

“At United Southern Bank, part of our mission statement is empowering employees to build relationships. Because we firmly believe that when students succeed, communities thrive.”

— Martha Steil, Representative, United Southern Bank (wkdzradio.com)

“Transforming high school education isn't something that educators do alone. It happens when a community comes together to create opportunities, shared ownership, and pride in a school that we can all say is ours.”

— Ken Carver, Executive Principal, Christian County High School (wkdzradio.com)

“We are all partners in educating our students to be our future workforce. So we don't think of it as school and community. We bring you together so that you can be community in unison.”

— Kimberly Fifer, Director of Educational Innovation, Central Indiana Educational Service Center (wkdzradio.com)

“Partnership doesn't mean doing everything, it means doing something meaningful.”

— Sandra Hancock, Academy Coach, Christian County High School (wkdzradio.com)

What’s next

The Powerful Partnerships Initiative launched by the Christian County Chamber of Commerce and Pre-K to Biz will begin recruiting more business partners to support the district's new academy-model high school.

The takeaway

Christian County's leaders recognize that preparing students for the future workforce requires a true community-wide effort. By deepening partnerships between schools, businesses, and other community stakeholders, the district can better align education with local economic needs and give students clearer pathways to in-demand careers.