Interview with Jack Miller, August 1, 2010

Partial Transcript: Last week, through your time at Williamsburg, I had a couple questions and I wanted to get back and ask a couple questions about Williamsburg that I didn't ask last time.

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about integrating Williamsburg schools. He describes the first day of desegregated school. He describes school financial struggles.

Keywords: Board of Education; Lincoln Institute; Sandra Renfro

Subjects: School integration--Kentucky; School superintendents; Segregation in education.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk, one of the things that we started to talk about last week we didn't talk about, um, as much, is I wanted to know about the African American students who went to college.

Segment Synopsis: Miller describes notable academic achievements of African American students. He talks about where black students went to college and helping John Berry enroll at Berea College. Miller describes Cumberland College's integration and growth.

Keywords: Cumberland College; Education; J. M. Boswell

Subjects: African American students; School integration--Kentucky; School superintendents; Segregation in education.

Partial Transcript: Last week we talked about after Williamsburg, you went on to get your master's degree at Louisville.

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about attending the University of Louisville to get his master's degree while working in Williamsburg. He talks about getting a pay increase at Williamsburg and discusses becoming superintendent in Mt. Sterling.

Keywords: Education; Master of education degree; University of Louisville

Subjects: Career development.; School superintendents

Partial Transcript: Now what were the state of Mt. Sterling schools when you, when you took the job? In Mt. Sterling.

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about adjusting to work in Mt. Sterling and overseeing school integration. He describes the burning down of the local black school.

Keywords: African American schools; Desegregation; Race relations

Subjects: School integration--Kentucky; School superintendents; Segregation in education.

Partial Transcript: Talk about when it--I saw that Mt. Sterling at some point, when you came on board with Mt. Sterling schools, they did not have accreditation. Talk about that.

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about what steps he took in obtaining school accreditation and people he worked alongside. He describes the integration of school sports in Mt. Sterling. He speaks about his sons playing football.

Keywords: Board of Education; Football; School sports

Subjects: School integration--Kentucky; School management and organization.; School superintendents

Partial Transcript: So, talk about, um, one of the big movements, and this is a little bit later on in your career as superintendent. But one of the big movements was school consolidation.

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about school consolidation and interacting with board members. He describes notable teachers and coaches in Mt. Sterling and requiring teachers to teach multiple subjects. Miller talks more about the first day of desegregated school and discusses trying to prepare teachers and parents for school integration.

Keywords: Education; Montgomery County (Ky.); School consolidation; Teachers

Subjects: School integration--Kentucky; School management and organization.; School superintendents

Partial Transcript: So, you're nearing retirement here, in 1975. There was a period of time where you were assistant superintendent of Montgomery County schools?

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about his decision to retire after Montgomery County schools consolidated. He speaks about the former Mt. Sterling high school building being named after him. Miller also talks about running for mayor and winning the election.

Keywords: Elections; Montgomery County (Ky.); Politics; School building namesakes; School consolidation

Subjects: Mayors; Retirement.; School management and organization.; School superintendents

Partial Transcript: So, so you went from being a teacher to being principal and superintendent really fast. And then after being superintendent in two different places at two different times, you suddenly were asked to become mayor.

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about different leadership roles he has had. He speaks about what accomplishments he is most proud of, and talks about his children and their occupations. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Achievements; Army; Family; Leadership; Positions

Subjects: Career development.; Educational leadership.