JCPS graduate, community leader fills District 1 seat
December 11, 2023 - The Jefferson County Board of Education voted unanimously tonight to appoint Gail Logan Strange as the newest member of the board. Strange will represent District 1, which serves much of West Louisville. She replaces Diane Porter, who stepped down from the board in October due to health concerns.
Strange is a Louisville native and graduate of Central High School. She retired in November after 13 years as the Director of Communications with Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Strange was also a longtime communications leader at Brown-Williamson before the tobacco company left Louisville. For three years she served as executive director of the Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council before joining Presbyterian Church U.S.A. She has been a board member of numerous community organizations.
“She has been a very active member of this community and understands District 1,” interim board chair Dr. Corrie Shull said. “She clearly has a passion for education and the students in our community.”
The board interviewed four candidates for the open board seat Monday night before selecting Strange who said one of her main goals as a board member is “closing the achievement gap for students of color.”
Strange ran for the school board seat in 2005 and said she’s excited about Jefferson County Public Schools’ School Choice Plan which was implemented this year and the other changes occurring in the District’s classrooms.
“I am committed to making sure the constituents in District 1 have the best education experience possible,” Strange said. “This was an opportunity for me to bring my talents to the children in this district.”
Strange was officially sworn in immediately following the board meeting. Her first meeting as a Jefferson County school board member is scheduled to be January 23, 2024. An election for the District 1 seat will be held in November 2024.