When the new school year begins this fall, neither teachers, students nor the Kentucky Department of Education will know which college entrance exam will be given in the spring.

“I do want to assure superintendents that we understand the uncertainty that this brings for our schools and districts, that districts want clarity as they plan for the upcoming school year,” Jennifer Stafford, KDE associate commissioner, explained during the May 5 Local Superintendents Advisory Council meeting.

The uncertainty is the result of a new state law passed on the final day of the legislative session, SB 197 called for the state to rebid the state’s contract for the statutorily required college entrance exam given to all high school juniors each spring.

After nearly two decades of administering the ACT, the students took the SAT this school year because the College Board, which owns the SAT, won the state contract to administer the exam. ACT protested the contract, but the state’s finance cabinet confirmed SAT’s selection.

As lawmakers passed SB 197 on April 15, sponsor Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, said lawmakers wanted the state to go back to using the ACT so that it could compare scores over time.

“The SAT would be something that could be considered at a later date,” he said.

In addition to requiring a new bidding process and using the winner for the 2026-27 school year, SB 197 also said that state money could not be used to pay the state’s current SAT contract. That 4-year contract with the College Board was renewable for up to nine years, and was expected to save the Commonwealth up to $350,000 a year, according to KDE officials. 

Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed SB 197’s ban on using state funds to pay for the contract, however he did not veto the requirement to rebid the contract.

“We’ve been asked to go back through the same process that we’ve already gone through less than two years ago,” said Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher. 

The process typically takes about 18 months, however the state Finance Cabinet said it would expedite the process and could have the contract completed by October, Stafford said. 

During its May 6 virtual meeting, the Kentucky Board of Education reviewed the impact of new laws on public education as well as how state education leaders can be more involved in shaping future policy and budgetary changes.

The board considered setting its legislative priorities as soon as August and budget requests for the 2028-30 budget cycle by next May.

“I think the more proactive we can be by moving the timeline up, the better off we are,” board member Julie Pile said.

Chair Sharon Robinson added that “we should get really aggressive” about voicing school needs to the General Assembly, because “the most urgent matter that many of the districts in the state will face is financial viability.”

Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said a goal should be keeping primary and secondary education at 44% of state spending, where it has historically been, rather than its current 38% . He and other KDE leaders are considering visiting legislators in their districts later this year to foster closer ties, he said.

The board noted several successes from this year’s legislative session, including the passing of HB 257, which will revamp the state’s assessment and accountability system, and HB 727, which among other things will update the Kentucky Educator Placement Service System so that schools and teaching candidates alike will have more information about filling classroom vacancies.

Robinson expressed concerns about $7.5 million lawmakers approved for schools of innovation.

“I want to compete with some of the outside innovators for state funds to support advancing our (public schools’) work, using and leveraging assets that we already have,” she said.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for June 3-4, and Robinson announced that no meeting will be held in July.

Presented by knowledgeable KSBA staff, the update is designed to unpack often-complex legislative and legal decisions over the past year that impact policies at the district level. The agenda includes a 2026 legislative session recap, board policy updates resulting from recent legislation, reviews of federal policy developments, relevant case law and more.

The three-hour webinar will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on June 16 and is recommended for school board members, superintendents, administrators, board attorneys, finance officers and other district personnel with policy-enacting responsibilities.

Pre-registration required and will open next week. Individual and district (group) rates available. Good for three hours of state-mandated board training. Visit ksba.org/LawUpdate.aspx for more information.

In less than two weeks, several current and former board members seeking higher office will find out if they will move on to the general election.

Two current board members, Carrie Truitt, of Marion County, and Lynn Shelburne, of Spencer County, could face each other in the general election if each wins their respective primaries. They are running to represent the state’s 14th Senate District in the General Assembly – Truitt as a Democrat and Shelburne as a Republican.

Former Jefferson County Schools board member Sarah Cole McIntosh is running in the Democratic primary for the 36th Senate District, now held by Republican Julie Raque Adams. McIntosh faces Luke Whitehead in the primary.

LaRue County Schools board member Farrah Pruitt is running to become the county’s judge-executive. Pruitt, who has served on the LaRue County board for 12 years, faces three opponents in the Republican primary.

A former superintendent is also running for county judge-executive. Anthony Strong, who served as superintendent of Campbell and Pendleton county schools, is running in the Republican primary for Pendleton County judge-executive. He faces three opponents.

The state’s primary election will be held May 19.