Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton wants lawmakers to engage with education stakeholders as they consider legislation that would alter membership on the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System’s board of trustees – and possibly teachers’ voice on the board.

Clayton was referring to House Bill 525, which helped spur teacher protests in Frankfort that forced at least six school districts to close Thursday. The measure would change how people are nominated to the TRS board, a move that some opponents have said could hurt teacher representation.

On Thursday, speaking at a school board meeting, Clayton thanked the district’s teachers for showing up to work that day. He noted Thursday was the best-attended day of this month when it comes to school district’s staff.

“I did want to acknowledge our staff for coming to work today and engaging our kids,” Clayton said. “We certainly appreciate that.”

Currently, the Kentucky Education Association controls nominations for seven of the board’s 11 members, The Associated Press reported. HB 525 would let groups like the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association, the Kentucky School Boards Association and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents nominate members, the AP said.

Although Clayton said he hadn’t had the chance to identify all the troubling aspects of the legislation, he stressed the importance of having a solid TRS board in place going forward.

“It’s very evident that the TRS is performing amongst the highest (retirement systems) across the country, which would lead one to believe that the current oversight is appropriate not only now, but appropriate moving forward,” Clayton told the Daily News.

Clayton called on lawmakers to seek additional feedback from various stakeholder groups, such as the Kentucky School Boards Association and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents. His initial concern was related to those groups not “being at the table” for discussions of the proposed changes to the board’s nomination process.

“I hope moving forward the legislators involved with the bill will seek out additional feedback … just to ensure that we have a solid TRS board moving forward, whether it continues under the same structure or a new structure,” he said.

Asked whether he believes the KEA has too much power in nominating members, Clayton said “the majority of members on that board should be individuals who are invested in TRS.” Financial experts should also have a voice on the board, he said.

During the board meeting, the school board advanced payments for several construction projects and facility upgrades in the district.

That includes $183,311.93 to architect firm Sherman Carter Barnhart for renovation designs at Warren Central High School. The $14 million facilities upgrade for the district’s oldest high school includes renovating the school’s cafeteria, band and vocal rooms and some attached classrooms.

The board recently approved bids related to that project, and they are currently being vetted by the Kentucky Department of Education.

Additionally, the board approved a construction manager for a new auxiliary gym at Greenwood High School. Alliance Corp. was the only bidder for the project.

Rockfield Elementary School will also soon be getting a new roof, as the board also advanced early construction documents for the project.

– The Associated Press contributed to this story.