Board of Education

Left to Right: Superintendent M. Sean Horne, District Court Judge Craft, Paul Pack, Terry Vest, John Jones, and Sean Whitt

Board Meeting Schedule

Board Agendas and Actions

Board Policies and Procedures

Board Financials

The BOE meeting for April 2025 is re-scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th, 2025.

Local Planning Committee Community

Board Members

Terry Vest

Board Member Since 2009

Mr. Vest is a 1975 graduate of Russell High School and a 1981 graduate of the University Of Kentucky College Of Pharmacy. Currently, Mr. Vest is employed with King’s Daughters Medical Center as a Clinical Pharmacist he also serves as a Preceptor for aspiring Pharmacists. Mr. Vest is an active member of First Baptist Church Russell and has enjoyed many years of service in the Russell-Flatwoods Little League Program.

Mr. Vest’s family includes wife Elisabeth and three children, Tyler, Hailey and Landon. Tyler, is completing his final year at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Pharmacy, Hailey is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and Landon is currently a rising Junior at the University of Louisville.

Judy Ledford

Board Member Since 2007

Mrs. Ledford is a 1959 graduate of Russell High School. After earning her Bachelor's Degree in English and Art from Eastern Kentucky University, she began teaching at McDowell Elementary School in the Russell School District. While working for the District, Mrs. Ledford received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and her Rank I in Administration and Counseling from Morehead State University. Mrs. Ledford moved to the Russell Junior High in 1969, teaching English and Art until 1972, when she became the Guidance Counselor and later Asst. Principal for Russell Middle School. In 1993, Mrs. Ledford became the Director of Pupil Personnel for the District until her retirement in 1998.

Mrs. Ledford is a former board member of the Russell Education Endowment Foundation. She currently serves as organist for First United Methodist Church in Ashland.

Sean Whitt

Board Member Since 2011

Mr. Whitt graduated from Russell High School in 1990 and attended the University of Kentucky. He graduated from the UK College of Business with a BBA in Marketing in 1994 and the UK College of Law in 1999.

Mr. Whitt is currently a partner of VanAntwerp Attorneys, LLP, a law firm in Ashland, Kentucky, established in 1923. Mr. Whitt has concentrated his practice in the area of litigation in both state and federal courts. Among other specialties, his practice has included educational law in representing several school districts and boards of education. In addition to his professional career, he has been involved in several community organizations. Mr. Whitt was an original Incorporator of the Russell Education Endowment Foundation, past Board member of Hope's Place in Ashland, Kentucky, former Representative of the Seventh District for the Young Lawyers' Section of the Kentucky Bar Association, and member of the Boyd County, Kentucky, and American Bar Associations. Mr. Whitt also enjoyed many years of coaching in the Russell - Flatwoods Little League and JFL programs.

Mr. Whitt’s family includes his wife Becky and two children, Chaz, a graduate of Russell and a current student at the University of Kentucky College of Law, and Laney who currently attends Russell Schools.

John Jones

Board Member Since 2011

Mr. Jones is a graduate of Danville High School in Danville, Kentucky. He attended Eastern Kentucky University obtaining his Undergraduate Degree in Social Studies and his Master’s Degree in History and Elementary Education.

Mr. Jones served in the United States Army for two years before beginning his career with Russell Independent Schools. While with the District Mr. Jones served in many capacities including Teacher, Asst. Principal, Principal and, finally, Director of Pupil Personnel and Transportation. Mr. Jones retired from the District with 31 years of service.

Mr. Jones’ family includes wife Harriet and one daughter, Erin. Erin is a graduate of Russell High School and Transylvania University.

Paul Pack

Board Member Since 2024

Mr. Pack is a 1996 graduate of Lawrence County High School. He attended Morehead State University and graduated from Ashland Community College with an Associate Degree in Science.
Mr. Pack is employed with AT&T Mobility Services. He has held various roles while at AT&T, but he is currently a Lead Tech Business Manager managing new projects. In addition to his professional career, he has been involved in several community organizations. He has served as a Parent Representative on Site Base Decision Making Councils for Russell Primary and Russell High School. He also served on the Russell Education Endowment Foundation board. He is an active member of First Baptist Church Russell and enjoyed many years of coaching and refereeing in the Russell - Flatwoods Little League, Marv Meredith Basketball and JFL programs.
Mr. Pack’s family includes his wife Heather and three children, Brayden, Ethan, and Raegan. Brayden is completing his final year at Georgetown College in Biology (Pre-Med), Ethan is currently a freshman at Marshall University College of Engineering, and Raegan is currently a sophomore at the Russell High School.