The Kentucky Board of Education is accepting nominations for the Kelly Award for Business and Education Partnership, according to Kentucky Teacher. The award is given annually to a businessperson or business that has partnered with a public school or school district to provide leadership that promotes school improvement and student achievement.

The award is named in honor of Joseph W. Kelly, a former KBE member from 1989 to 1998 and a respected business leader and education advocate. Nominations will be accepted through 3 p.m. ET on July 6, with the award to be presented in October.

To be eligible, nominees must demonstrate either the creation or sustaining of a strategic partnership between a business and school or district that leads to improved student outcomes, including postsecondary success and workforce outcomes. Alternatively, they may show a significant contribution to a school or district that leads to, or will likely lead to, increased or improved educational opportunities or improved educational, postsecondary or workforce outcomes for students.

Recent recipients of the Kelly Award have included Meredith Rozanski in 2024, the Bluegrass Community Health Center and Keith Schneider in 2023, and Mike Hesketh in 2022. For more information on the award and the nomination process, interested parties can visit the KBE's awards webpage.