As part of Board Appreciation Month in January 2024, AISD board members received tokens of appreciation from staff and students

The Anchorage Independent Board of Education remains dedicated to our district's long-standing tradition of excellence while overseeing the education of Anchorage Public School students and stewarding the tax dollars that fund our district.

The school board and administration team work together to ensure the continued success of our district with our vision, mission, and core values serving as guiding principles.

Our Board of Education is comprised of five members residing within the school district and elected by the community to four-year terms. Key responsibilities of the board include appointing the superintendent, adopting an annual budget, setting policies that provide direction for the administration, providing necessary services to pupils, addressing school safety and discipline, adopting courses of study, managing funds, and property, levying needed taxes, assessing student progress, and authorizing charter schools.

Members

Hannah Barnes, Chair

Chair - Hannah Barnes, Ph.D. joined the AISD Board of Education in January of 2019 and is currently also serving as a Director at Large for the Kentucky School Board Association. She attended public school K-12 in Wyoming, then earned a B.S. in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Maine and a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from the University of Georgia. Working part-time as a director for Seven Pillars Foundation, affords her time to also serve on the board of directors of First Light Early Education Center and River City Racquet League, as well as volunteer on duPont Manual PTSA and Anchorage PTA committees. Dr. Barnes moved to Anchorage with her husband and three children in 2013 and is an avid tennis enthusiast.

hannah.barnes@anchorage.kyschools.us
Rosanna Gabriele, Vice-Chair

Rosanna Gabriele grew up in Louisville. A resident of Anchorage since 2013, Rosanna and her husband Ryan Burke have four children. After graduating from The Saint Francis School, Rosanna earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Russian Studies from the University of Rochester. She continued her education by pursuing graduate studies in History of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. She volunteers for many educational and civic organizations. Currently, she serves on the board of the Kentucky International Dyslexia Association and is the chair of the APTA Parent Academy.

rosanna.gabriele@anchorage.kyschools.us
Wilson Greene

Wilson is the parent of three amazing anchors! He is the managing partner of The Greene Law Firm, PLLC, a law firm focused on helping individuals recover from serious personal injuries or helping loved ones move forward after the loss of a loved one. In his practice, Wilson follows the 10% rule, where 10% of his practice is devoted to pro bono cases, helping educate other lawyers through continuous legal education, legislative advocacy, and serving on professional committees. Wilson is married to Stephanie Greene, an elementary school administrator. These life experiences helped foster Wilson’s deep commitment to education and his desire to serve on the Anchorage School Board. In his free time, Wilson is a board member of the Anchorage Civic Club, loves to coach soccer, hike, and play tennis.

WilsonW.Greene@anchorage.kyschools.us
Andrew O'Brien

I am a proud kindergarten through 8^th grade Anchorage School alumni, with two children currently enrolled at Anchorage, soon to be three. I have lifelong ties to Anchorage and given all that this school and neighborhood have done for me, I look forward to giving back to this amazing community and ensuring that Anchorage continues to prosper for generations to come.

Exceptional education is the priority, but we also need to establish a culture that values individuals, hard work, and creativity. We must hold ourselves to a higher standard, from our students, teachers, administration, resources, facilities, and community engagement. I will work to preserve Anchorage as we know and love it by continuing to cultivate an unrivaled, welcoming, and fun educational environment where all students can flourish.

After Anchorage, I graduated from Kentucky Country Day and then Southern Methodist University. Professionally, I am a Partner at a commercial real estate investment firm and manage myriad other family investments and ventures.

I look forward to serving you, our children, and our incredible community!

aobrien54@pm.me
Sara Tyler

Sara Tyler is a proud mother of five APS students. Sara is a Louisville native, a graduate of Louisville Male High School and the University of Louisville Business School. Sara went on to have a successful career in medical device sales with Medtronic. She has created and sold multiple businesses, developed products, and been awarded multiple US patents which she contracted for international distribution.

Sara’s dual experience in corporate America and as a business owner has instilled an instinct for identifying opportunities. She has extensive experience of anticipating needs and creating strategic and methodical solutions. Her heart of service to children comes from her personal experiences with adoption and special needs. She has spearheaded fundraising efforts for multiple non-profit organizations dedicated to adoption.

Sara and her husband Brian are regular volunteers at APS, leading programs such as Junior Achievement, Art Discovery and coaching basketball. They are dedicated members of their church where they volunteer in the children’s ministries.

sara.tyler@anchorage.kyschools.us

Meet the AISD Candidates: Click on a name to learn more!

Elizabeth A. Kolk

Hi, I’m Elizabeth and I am running for the Anchorage School Board to ensure that every student in our community receives the high-quality education they deserve. As a proud mother of two spirited APS students, I understand firsthand the importance of nurturing an environment where students feel supported, valued, and inspired to achieve their full potential.

Most families who move to Anchorage research the best schools in Kentucky - and they choose Anchorage Public School because of its outstanding reputation. Two factors make Anchorage stand out: we hire the best, highest-quality teachers, and our classroom sizes are significantly smaller than those in other schools, giving students more one-on-one time with their teachers. Families move here for the school, and I am committed to maintaining and enhancing that standard of excellence.

With a B.S. in Computer Science with Information Systems and a Minor in Business, along with an A.S. in Computer Science with a Concentration in Computer Networking, and a successful career in healthcare technology, I bring a unique perspective to the School Board - one that values innovation, fiscal responsibility, and forward-thinking solutions. My deep roots in our community extend through years of volunteer work on the School Safety Committee, room parenting, art discovery, and contributing to various school and community initiatives. I know what it takes to support our students, educators, and families.

Anchorage is more than just a place to live - it’s a community where education is a shared investment. A thriving school benefits everyone, from parents and teachers to business owners and residents without children in the school system. Our quality school strengthens property values, attracts businesses, and creates a safer, more connected community for all. My goal is to foster a collaborative, transparent relationship between the school, families, and the broader Anchorage community to ensure we continue to grow and excel.

If elected, I will be a voice for all students, advocating for equal access to opportunities while ensuring fiscal responsibility and making decisions with the best interests of our community in mind. I am committed to empowering students, supporting teachers, and working with parents to build a strong foundation for the future of Anchorage.

Together, we can shape a brighter, more prosperous future for everyone in our community. I ask for your support in helping me bring fresh ideas, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Anchorage School Board. I invite you to learn more about my vision for our school by visiting my website at www.ekolkaps.com.
Rosanna Gabriele

Rosanna Gabriele grew up in Louisville graduating from The Saint Francis School. After high school, Rosanna earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Russian Studies from the University of Rochester. She continued her studies by pursuing graduate studies in the History of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. A resident of Anchorage since 2013, Rosanna and her husband, Ryan Burke, have four children who have all attended Anchorage School. Two of their children are graduates of the school and two are currently enrolled. Like many Anchorage families, she and her husband chose to move to Anchorage to be a part of this unique community school.

An active member of the school community, Rosanna has served in numerous volunteer positions at Anchorage School. She has served as APTA Auction Chair, VP of Ways and Means, room parent, art discovery leader, junior great books leader, served on school council, and led the APTA Parent Academy for several years. Rosanna is a passionate advocate for improving literacy outcomes for children and served as the Vice President of the Kentucky Branch of the International Dyslexia association.

In her first term on the AISD board, Rosanna voted to fully resume in-person instruction after the chaotic COVID-era restrictions. After listening to community concerns about the lack of recess in middle school, Rosanna voted to implement a school-wide recess policy ensuring all kids k-8 go outside daily for recess. She also represented parents on the dyslexia committee which created the k-3^rd grade dyslexia screener and the APS dyslexia toolkit for families.

A tireless advocate for all children, Rosanna knows that there is no one size fits all in education. As a parent of children with diverse learning needs including IEPS, 504 Plans and GT identification, Rosanna is seeking an additional term on the Anchorage Independent Board of Education to ensure that all Anchorage students get what they need to be successful.
K. Kris Towery

My family and I have been proud Anchorage residents for over four years and have graduated one child from Anchorage, with one currently in the sixth grade. I am amazed by the sense of community here and the common thread the parents share, which is that we all want what is best for our children. I want to dedicate my time and talents to the School Board out of appreciation to all who serve and have served this community. It has been a great joy and blessing to be a part of this school: helping at picnics, decorating for Christmas and art shows, working backstage at the theatre productions, assisting at track meets, and teaching Junior Achievement.

I was born and raised in Louisville, and I graduated from Eastern High School in 1995 and the University of Kentucky with a BS in management in 1999. During my 25 years in the tire and auto repair business, I learned the value of honesty, hard work, and treating everyone like family. I strive to listen carefully to others and have had success bringing people of differing backgrounds together in order to achieve a common goal. I currently work with Duane Realty Group in commercial real estate management, development, and construction.

I have served on the boards of the Red Cross and Cedar Lake Lodge, and currently serve on the board of elders at Concordia Lutheran Church. I also support my wife in her service to the mission of Love the Hungry, a local nonprofit. I have successfully advocated for the greater good on these boards, and I take pride in ensuring that personal motives and feelings do not interfere with what is best for the community I serve.
Nancy Lynne (Trentham) Walters
My desire to serve on the school board is derived from my devotion to representing all Anchorage residents and ensuring that all Anchorage School students receive the very best educational experience in a safe environment. As an APS alum and current parent, I promise to work diligently to honor, preserve and respect the integrity of APS and our community that is deeply steeped in the tradition and history of our school.

My family moved here nearly 50 years ago, and continues to be involved in various roles and community activities. We have a long line of people who attended Anchorage School including myself, my brother, my niece, my nephew, and my two children – one of which is in the 8th grade at Anchorage School and one who is a junior at Sacred Heart Academy.

Qualifications:

I have been very involved at Anchorage School and in the Anchorage Community as a volunteer in many capacities for the past 17 years. I served as Co-President of Anchorage Children’s Theatre 2017-2024, Owl Creek Country Club Board of Directors (Membership Chairman and Secretary) 2014-2017 and Anchorage Civic Club Board of Directors 2011-2014.

Before that you could find me volunteering wherever there was a need – in the classroom, for the swim team, or making costumes for ACT. I love to learn and help.

I attended Anchorage School K-8^th grades, graduated from Ballard High School, and earned a BA in Journalism and Public Affairs and Environmental Science from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Following college, I spent nearly 20 years in media working as a television network news researcher, local reporter and local news anchor. These days I work for a small biotech company in the neuroscience division. For fun, I’m a voice actor – and record local, regional, and national commercials, jingles, e-learning projects and books.

Beliefs and Goals:
- Prioritize the need for creating and maintaining the safest environment for students and teachers which includes compliance with safety protocols and indoor environmental standards. I feel strongly that our children and the entire APS staff deserve an optimal learning environment.
- Work tirelessly to maintain and improve a school environment that encompasses the highest academic standards of excellence where all APS students will grow emotionally, socially and intellectually.
- Adhere to the government guidelines that clearly state that a local school board is only a policy making board responsible for the governance of the district and not the day to day management of the district.
- Develop a trusting and transparent relationship among faculty/ Staff, school board members, school council and students.
- Strive to do what is in the best interest of all stakeholders, including community members who are supporting our school. The school is the anchor of our community and our property values are influenced by the reputation and high standards that have existed at APS for decades.
For more information about me, please visit my website nancylynnewalters.com