In a ballroom tucked inside the Galt House Hotel, the energy was familiar. Not flashy. Not loud. Just steady: like the leaders gathered there. KASS Celebrates Superintendents wasn’t a new beginning. It was a pause. A moment to breathe, connect, and acknowledge the people quietly shaping the future of Kentucky public education. For years, KASS has cultivated this kind of space where superintendents across the Commonwealth can find clarity, alignment, and strength in one another. That culture of trust and mutual respect was on full display last Thursday, just steps from the whirlwind of the KASA Leadership Institute. As partners and peers, we were honored to be part of it. what makes kass different? KASS stands for more than superintendent advocacy. It stands for strategic leadership grounded in community values. It champions policies rooted in lived experience. And it moves with a vision that isn’t driven by headlines, but by what kids and communities need most. As we move toward the 2026 legislative session, that vision is coming into sharper focus: A statewide accountability framework that reflects local context and honors whole-child success Real investment in educator workforce pathways, from onboarding to compensation A long-range funding model that restores the SEEK base and strengthens essential services like transportation, mental health, and early childhood education These aren’t bullet points, they’re the building blocks of a system that works for everyone. communication that carries the work forward At Alchemy, we support KASS superintendents and their teams by translating complex initiatives into communication that’s clear, consistent, and community-ready. Our work includes: Legislative summaries and visual assets that connect policy to real-world impact Messaging systems for districts aligning their strategic plans to statewide priorities On-demand support through 🏗 The Foundation and ⏳ Alchemy Access Hours for everything from branding to stakeholder engagement We believe every district deserves a communication infrastructure that builds trust, reflects its values, and helps move the work forward. Especially when the work is this important. a collective call to lead The superintendents we serve aren’t waiting for permission to lead boldly. They’re already doing it: in budget meetings, on back roads, through partnerships that span counties and coalitions. What Thursday’s event affirmed is that this leadership doesn’t stand alone. It’s connected. Intentional. And ready for what’s next. View the photo gallery from KASS Celebrates Superintendents Download the 2026 KASS Legislative Priorities Schedule a discovery session with Alchemy to explore how communication strategy can support your district’s policy alignment and public advocacy.
Sometimes, the most important moments don’t go according to plan. This is the story of how a tribute video honoring a beloved school leader didn’t play on stage... and why that didn’t stop it from reaching the people who mattered most. In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on the process: how the video came to life, what went wrong, and how our team stayed focused on what mattered: telling the story with heart. what makes a tribute video truly meaningful? A tribute video works best when it doesn’t just list accomplishments: it tells the truth about someone’s impact, in the voices of the people they’ve served. When Bullitt County Public Schools asked us to create a surprise tribute video for Kristi Lynch, Principal of North Bullitt High School and the 2025 KASA Building Level Administrator of the Year, we knew we couldn’t make it generic. It had to sound like her... quiet leadership (even though she is far from quiet), bold heart, and an undeniable ripple effect through students, staff, and families. So we built it from the inside out. We started with BCPS’s mission and values. Then we shaped the video around real stories that aligned with their Core Values, Aspirations, and Graduate Profile traits. Interview cues were crafted to pull out specifics: how Kristi supported students, lifted her team, and sparked future-focused growth. (Check out the full process here .) a tribute should reflect the person: not the performance. what happens when the “tech fails” at the big moment? Spoiler: you pivot. You protect the story. You keep your cool and get scrappy. At the 2025 KASA conference, the stage was set. The lights were on. The crowd was ready. But when it came time to play the video… the screen didn’t cooperate. No one panicked. We just shifted. Instead of pushing for a fix that might’ve muddled the moment, our team found another way to share the story. We arranged a quiet showing for Kristi and her family: just a laptop, some tissues, and the people who knew what the moment was meant to be. what do you do when the spotlight flickers? You show up anyway. This is the part we’re most proud of. Yes, we love a polished final product. But we love even more the chance to carry a story carefully, all the way to the finish line, even if that means rerouting mid-run. And you know what? The private viewing ended up being more personal. More reflective. More… Kristi. That’s the work. That’s the alchemy . want help telling your school’s story? We help districts celebrate their people, shape their culture, and spotlight what makes them stand out with messaging that aligns and videos that land (even when the Wi-Fi doesn’t). Book a consult Explore more stories like this
In most school districts, there are hundreds of details to manage behind the scenes. But when it comes to welcoming new employees or updating existing staff records, those details often pile up quickly. Franklin County Schools recognized the need for a more efficient, consistent system to manage something that touches nearly every employee: headshots, ID badges, and email signatures. What started as a small request turned into a fully automated process built for scale, clarity, and ease. a district-wide challenge Before this system was in place, there was no formal process to track or create headshots, badges, or email signatures. Each of these tasks had to be handled manually, often by different people on different timelines, leading to delays, confusion, and inconsistent branding. What the district needed wasn’t just a one-time solution. They needed a sustainable system . what we built The Alchemy Collaborative designed and implemented a centralized, automated process that’s now a seamless part of the district’s onboarding and staff update workflow. Here’s how it works: Staff begin at their Design Lab site , where they fill out a simple form indicating whether they need a new headshot or just an update to their name/title. If they need a headshot , the system automatically emails them a scheduling link and notifies the HR staff member who manages photography. Before any headshots were taken, we also designed and delivered branded pop-up banners for each school and the district office. These banners give the HR employee a clean, consistent background to use no matter where the photos are taken—ensuring every employee headshot looks polished and professional. Once the headshot is taken , the HR employee attaches it in our system. From there, everything flows into place: A new or updated email signature is generated An ID badge design is created and sent for printing All files are delivered automatically to the employee and/or HR For staff who don’t need a new headshot, the system pulls from a fully searchable headshot archive already organized by location and employee name. The result: less back-and-forth, no spreadsheets, and a much more polished first impression for every employee. why it works This isn’t just automation for automation’s sake. It’s about building trust through consistency—both in process and in presentation. New employees are welcomed with professional, on-brand materials HR saves hours of time previously spent tracking images and requests The district presents a unified, polished image across staff email, signage, and materials Most importantly, it’s all built into the tools the district already uses, making it easy to maintain long term. want to put your onboarding on autopilot? We help districts take small, overlooked processes and turn them into systems that save time, reduce confusion, and create consistency. If you’re still juggling headshots, badges, or email signatures manually, we can help you build something smarter. The details matter. Let’s make them seamless. Book your free discovery call today!
In a world of emails and tweets, there’s something powerful about a message that arrives in your mailbox. Each quarter, Oldham County Schools delivers a beautifully designed mailer to every home in the community. It doesn’t ask for donations. It doesn’t react to crisis. It simply tells the story of what’s going right in their schools from student wins to program spotlights to the educators making it all happen. And in doing so, it builds something that no press release or email blast can replicate: trust through consistency . f rom raw content to community storytelling Each quarter, the district’s communications team provides the content that is carefully written stories, thoughtful photo selections, and a clear sense of what matters most to their audience. Our job is to take that content and elevate it through design. We transform each set of stories into a cohesive six-page mailer, ensuring every detail, from layout to font choice to photo placement, feels intentional, clear, and on brand. It’s not just about formatting. It’s about making the story shine . why print still matters Print might feel old school but that’s exactly what makes it effective. Inboxes are overloaded. Social media moves fast. But a printed piece that lands in your mailbox? It gets seen. It gets saved. It starts conversations. Especially in a high-trust community like Oldham County, print helps the district stay visible and accessible to families, alumni, retired educators, and voters who may not follow digital channels. It’s not about replacing digital. It’s about reinforcing it with a message that quite literally hits home. the alchemy behind the mailer We support Oldham County’s quarterly communication by: Taking raw content and turning it into a polished, visually engaging 6-page layout Maintaining visual consistency across each issue to build long-term recognition Ensuring the design works for both print and digital formats Managing handoff to the district’s print vendor for a smooth delivery process Our role is to make sure the content their team works so hard to create feels as impactful as possible...on the page and in the hands of the community. why it works This project isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about strategy. When a district commits to showing up with positive, honest communication again and again, it doesn’t just inform. It reassures. It reminds. It connects. In a time when public institutions are scrutinized more than ever, that kind of steady storytelling builds the foundation for trust. w ant to reach your community in a way that sticks? We believe great design and consistent communication should go hand in hand. If you’re looking for a way to engage families, neighbors, and voters (not just once, but year-round) we’d love to help. 💡 Whether it’s your first mailer or your fiftieth, let’s make sure your story is landing where it matters most. 📩 Contact us to get started today.
In a world of emails and tweets, there’s something powerful about a message that arrives in your mailbox. Each quarter, Oldham County Schools delivers a beautifully designed mailer to every home in the community. It doesn’t ask for donations. It doesn’t react to crisis. It simply tells the story of what’s going right in their schools from student wins to program spotlights to the educators making it all happen. And in doing so, it builds something that no press release or email blast can replicate: trust through consistency . f rom raw content to community storytelling Each quarter, the district’s communications team provides the content that is carefully written stories, thoughtful photo selections, and a clear sense of what matters most to their audience. Our job is to take that content and elevate it through design. We transform each set of stories into a cohesive six-page mailer, ensuring every detail, from layout to font choice to photo placement, feels intentional, clear, and on brand. It’s not just about formatting. It’s about making the story shine . why print still matters Print might feel old school but that’s exactly what makes it effective. Inboxes are overloaded. Social media moves fast. But a printed piece that lands in your mailbox? It gets seen. It gets saved. It starts conversations. Especially in a high-trust community like Oldham County, print helps the district stay visible and accessible to families, alumni, retired educators, and voters who may not follow digital channels. It’s not about replacing digital. It’s about reinforcing it with a message that quite literally hits home. the alchemy behind the mailer We support Oldham County’s quarterly communication by: Taking raw content and turning it into a polished, visually engaging 6-page layout Maintaining visual consistency across each issue to build long-term recognition Ensuring the design works for both print and digital formats Managing handoff to the district’s print vendor for a smooth delivery process Our role is to make sure the content their team works so hard to create feels as impactful as possible...on the page and in the hands of the community. why it works This project isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about strategy. When a district commits to showing up with positive, honest communication again and again, it doesn’t just inform. It reassures. It reminds. It connects. In a time when public institutions are scrutinized more than ever, that kind of steady storytelling builds the foundation for trust. w ant to reach your community in a way that sticks? We believe great design and consistent communication should go hand in hand. If you’re looking for a way to engage families, neighbors, and voters (not just once, but year-round) we’d love to help. 💡 Whether it’s your first mailer or your fiftieth, let’s make sure your story is landing where it matters most. 📩 Contact us to get started today.
Kentucky’s schools are in a race against time and inflation. While costs climb, state SEEK funding (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky) continues to lag behind, leaving districts under-resourced and overburdened. That’s where the Back on Track reports come in. For the second year in a row, The Alchemy Collaborative partnered with the Kentucky Council for Better Education (CBE) to transform a complex dataset into clear, district-level stories. These reports are designed to help superintendents, finance officers, and advocates communicate the urgent need for fair and adequate funding and to do it with confidence, clarity, and visual impact. f rom data to drive Each year, CBE gathers detailed funding data for every public school district in Kentucky. That includes: SEEK base funding per student Add-ons for at-risk, exceptional, and LEP students Transportation funding Tier 1 equalization funding We worked closely with CBE to translate that data into custom reports for each district, along with a statewide summary highlighting just how far SEEK funding has fallen behind inflation since 2008. Spoiler alert: Kentucky is currently underfunding students by more than $2,100 per student . That’s equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars in unmet need statewide. from reports to storytelling tools To support local advocacy efforts, CBE also offers an optional district-branded slide deck, designed by our team, featuring each district’s specific data and presenter notes to help leaders speak to stakeholders. But here’s the truth: Data alone doesn’t inspire action. A well-told story does. that’s where we come in. In addition to the materials we’ve developed through CBE, The Alchemy Collaborative works directly with districts to: Craft custom messaging and talking points Design one-pagers or infographics for board meetings Develop communications strategies around legislative or budget priorities Our goal? Help you tell the right story to the right audience, with the clarity and confidence it deserves. why it matters We believe good design is about more than looking polished; it’s about making important information accessible and actionable. In this case, that meant: Turning spreadsheets into storytelling tools Giving districts language they can use in budget meetings and public forums Supporting a collective call for change across Kentucky Because when every district is equipped to advocate, every student benefits. r eady to tell your story? If you’re a district leader looking to elevate your message, whether about funding, enrollment, facilities, or something else, we’re here to help. 💡 Let’s dig into your data and uncover the gold. 📩 Contact us to dream about what's possible.
kentucky districts are redesigning education for the ai era with local accountability, real skills, and clear communication to build trust and success.
coaches are more than game-day leaders In today’s schools, coaches are more than just sideline motivators—they’re powerful messengers of your district’s values, culture, and care. And with the recent passing of Senate Bill 181 , Kentucky districts are being called to rethink how every adult in the building communicates with students and families—including extracurricular leaders. This isn't just a compliance issue—it's a communication opportunity . the current challenge: inconsistent, unstructured communication If you're a district leader, this will probably sound familiar: Coaches are texting parents directly. Some teams are using GroupMe, others are on Remind. Calendars live in pockets, private apps, or Facebook groups. Parents ask, “Where do I even find the info?” Right now, extracurricular communication in many districts is chaotic at best and invisible at worst . Without a unified system, updates get missed, information is fragmented, and your district’s brand is diluted in every team huddle or missed bus pickup. what sb 181 really means for school communication Senate Bill 181 requires school districts across Kentucky to standardize how all personnel—coaches, club sponsors, volunteers—communicate with students and families. But let’s be clear: this law isn’t just about plugging in a new tool or checking a compliance box. It’s about stepping into a smarter, more connected approach to communication. And it’s a chance to: 🔐 Protect students through transparent, trackable communication 🧠 Empower coaches with clear systems that reduce guesswork 📢 Amplify your message across every corner of your district 🤝 Build trust with families by meeting them where they are 🧭 Align all messaging to your district’s values and vision from “random apps” to real strategy At The Alchemy Collaborative, we’ve helped districts make this exact shift. Here’s what a streamlined system can look like: Coaches use one platform to send updates and messages Calendars sync to phones so families never miss a change Notifications are instant , not scattered across apps Parents know exactly where to go —and who it's coming from This isn’t a “new app” solution. It’s a systems-first, people-centered approach to communication strategy. the culture shift: your coaches are your comms team When districts equip coaches with the right tools and training, the ripple effect is huge. Parents feel more informed and less frustrated. Students feel seen and supported . Coaches feel confident and clear on expectations. Your district’s brand gets lifted in every interaction—not lost. Think of it this way: families already trust their coaches. Let’s make sure the messages they send reflect your broader story. turn compliance into connection—here’s how we help At Alchemy, we partner with school districts to build clear, consistent communication systems that reflect your values, protect your people, and deepen family engagement. From strategy to implementation, we help you: Audit current communication channels Build unified workflows across buildings and teams Train coaches and sponsors with easy-to-follow processes Integrate communication into your district’s overall brand voice ready to make the shift? SB 181 isn’t a roadblock. it’s a runway. Let’s turn policy into purpose—and chaos into clarity. 📩 Contact us to schedule a free discovery call and start building a communication system that works for everyone in your district.
