Sandersville Elementary's Family Resource Center won the 2026 Harry J. Cowherd Award. Only one of Kentucky's 960 school resource centers gets it each year.

The Family Resource Center at Sandersville Elementary School has won Kentucky’s top award for a school resource center. Only one center in the state receives it each year.

The center received the 2026 Harry J. Cowherd Award for Center Excellence, Fayette County Public Schools said. The award comes from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and its Division of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, known as FRYSC.

Kentucky has 960 of these centers. The award goes to one of them each year, the district said.

Who accepted it

Damon Sexton, the center’s coordinator, accepted the award Tuesday, Nov. 3, at a statewide conference in Louisville. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman presented it, according to the district.

Sexton is in his third year as coordinator at Sandersville. He previously directed the after-school program at Squires Elementary. He is a Letcher County native and attended Pikeville College and Eastern Kentucky University, the district said.

“My favorite part of the job is greeting our students in the mornings, setting the tone and pace of their academic day,” Sexton said in the district’s announcement. “I make a difference for students and families by being present, consistent, and confident with intentional programming to empower them to be self-sufficient.”

What the school says the center has done

Principal Matt Noblin credited the center’s work with families and community partners.

“From family engagement, to building community partners, to breaking down barriers for student success, Mr. Sexton has built an incredible center,” Noblin said. “Last year he was an FCPS Kids’ Champion and brought the Purple Star designation to Sandersville (for support of military families). This year his work has gained statewide recognition.”

About the award

The award is named for Harry J. Cowherd, a key architect of the state’s network of family resource and youth services centers. That network was created by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990, the district said.

What it means for you

  • Sandersville families: the Family Resource Center is part of your school. Ask the front office how to reach the coordinator.
  • Other Fayette County families: our Lexington public schools guide lists every school, and each school page, such as Sandersville’s, has its zone and report card.