In this issue:
- Gov. Beshear vetoes school choice, tax credit bill
- KSBA board gathers for March retreat, quarterly meeting
- Supplemental school year becomes law
- KSBA attorneys, policy staff to review changes to school law
- Webinar on role of boards in using assessment data
- Bill changing pension system vetoed
- P-EBT approved for students affected by school closures
- #iCANendthetrend seeking youth advisors
- April Learn and Earn to focus on education funding
- KSBA Annual Conference seven weeks away
- KSBA in the news
- Upcoming dates, deadlines and events
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Gov. Beshear vetoes school choice, tax credit bill |
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As expected, Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday vetoed House Bill 563, the bill that would allow public school choice and education opportunity accounts to pay for private school tuition in some Kentucky counties.
The bill, which narrowly passed the House, has garnered widespread opposition from the education community despite support from some independent districts’ superintendents.
“It if becomes law this measure would greatly harm public education in Kentucky by taking money away from public schools and sending it to unaccountable private organizations with little oversight,” Beshear said at a news conference.
In addition to requiring local boards to adopt policies to accept non-resident students, the bill established education opportunity accounts that could pay for educational expenses including tuition at public schools in all counties and pay for private school tuition in counties with 90,000 residents, currently Boone, Campbell, Daviess, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Kenton and Warren counties.
People donating to the education opportunity accounts would receive a tax credit that would cost the state up to $25 million a year. Beshear noted that that money, collected from all parts of the state, would be distributed only to the state’s most populous counties.
Lt. Gov. Jackie Coleman, Education Commissioner Jason Glass, Kentucky Education Association President Eddie Campbell, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Jim Flynn and Kentucky Association of School Administrators Executive Director Rhonda Caldwell were among those who spoke against the bill.
The legislature will reconvene Monday and Tuesday to consider overriding the veto. The bill, which passed the House 48-47, would now need 51 votes in that chamber. Bill sponsor Rep. Chad McCoy predicted that the legislature will be able to meet that threshold.
“One we prove that we have funded all-day kindergarten, you’re gonna see a whole lot more votes come over,” McCoy told The Kentucky Standard.
But even if the legislature overrides the veto, the challenge to the law is likely to continue. Beshear said he believes the bill is unconstitutional in that it diverts public money to private schools – and only schools in some counties.
“The General Assembly has abandoned its obligation under the constitution to ‘provide for an efficient system of common schools throughout the state,’” he said.
The bill would lead to disparities in funding that the Kentucky Supreme Court declared unconstitutional in its 1989 decision in Rose v. Council for Better Education. While Beshear did not say whether he would file suit, he noted that a lawsuit could come from a district or parent.
As for the public school choice measures, Beshear acknowledged that independent districts face challenges but said HB 563 is not the answer.
“I want those superintendents and everybody going to school in those districts to know that I am willing, ready and able to work with everybody to find a solution,” he said.
The public school choice provision is not worth a bill that would be the “beginning of the end for all of our public school districts,” Beshear said.
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KSBA Board gathers for March retreat, quarterly meeting |
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KSBA’s board of directors gathered in Bowling Green March 19-20 for an orientation of new members, retreat and meeting, the first since February’s ratification of new members and an officer. Davonna Page, Russellville Ind. board member, gaveled in as president for the first time while Karen Byrd of Boone Co. took part in her first meeting since being ratified as the association’s president-elect.
The agenda of the scheduled Saturday morning board meeting included a review of association finances, committee reports and a discussion of legislative priorities.
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Supplemental school year bill becomes law |
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The bill to allow students in all grades to have a supplemental year of school has become law. Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 128. The bill allows local boards to give students an extra year if they request it.
Under the law, students must request the extra year by May 1, then boards must either approve or deny all the requests by June 1.
“The pandemic has deprived some students of priceless opportunities and memories,” Beshear said Wednesday. The bill will also allow students to have an extra year of sports eligibility.
The Kentucky Department of Education is expected to issue guidance on implementing the bill.
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KSBA attorneys, policy staff to review changes to school law |
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KSBA’s 15th Annual Federal and State Law Update will be offered as a live virtual conference from 9 a.m. to noon ET Tuesday, April 20. Presented by knowledgeable KSBA attorneys and policy staff, the agenda includes a 2021 legislative session recap, board policy/procedure updates, Open Meetings and Open Records Act updates, federal law developments and an overview of recent COVID-19 federal relief funding.
View/download the full agenda with detailed information on speakers and topics. Registration is limited to 100 viewers and the cost is $150 per person. (Counts for 3 hours of board training credit. CLE and EILA credit approval has been requested.) Click the “Register Now” button to begin easy online registration.
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Webinar on role of boards in using assessment data |
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Recent changes to the school accountability laws in Kentucky have greatly increased the direct role of local school boards in using assessment data to lead the turnaround efforts in their schools, including the selection of outside partners to assist district leaders in developing plans for improved student achievement. On Thursday, April 29 from noon until 1:15 p.m. (ET), KSBA will offer a special virtual training opportunity in collaboration with The Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE), a joint venture of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and the School of Education and Human Development.
The training is entitled “District Turnaround for Student Success: How Boards Will Lead Turnaround Efforts in our New State Accountability System.” (Attendees will earn 1.25 hours of board training credit and the webinar counts toward A/S Level II required topic: Student Assessment.) Click the “Register Now” button to begin easy online registration or download a printable information flyer.
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Bill changing pension system vetoed |
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The bill that would make changes to the Teachers Retirement System for new hires has been vetoed.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday the he vetoed House Bill 258 saying that it would cut retirement benefits for new teachers making it harder for the state to attract and keep teachers.
The bill, which was filed by Rep. Ed Massey, would create a new tier for new members hired on or after Jan. 1, 2022. The new plan would include both defined contribution and defined benefits components. There would be no changes for current teachers or retirees.
Beshear noted that the changes to the pension system are proposed at the same time the General Assembly did not include teacher raises in the budget and cut more than $70 million to pay for health care for retired teachers under 65.
“A lack of support for our educators is leading to fewer and fewer college students choosing teaching, Beshear said. “If the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the vital role our educators play in the lives of our children and our economy. Teachers deserve better.”
HB 258 passed the Senate on a 25-11 vote and the House on a 63-34 vote March 16, wide enough margins that Beshear’s veto could be overridden when the legislature meets on Monday and Tuesday.
An actuarial analysis estimated that the bill would result in a savings of just over $3.5 billion over the next 30 years. |
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P-EBT approved for students affected by school closures |
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Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced in early March that the third round of Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) had been approved for all Kentucky families.
The approval includes all educational communities across the state, both public and private institutions. Kentucky students receiving free or reduced priced meals through the National School Lunch Program and affected by schools closures due to COVID-19 began receiving distribution of the benefits March 15. The distribution varies depending on the individual learning model of the school district.
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#iCANendthetrend seeking youth advisors |
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The University of Kentucky's #iCANendthetrend Program is launching a Youth Advisory Board and is looking for applications. The program works to provide the Commonwealth with tobacco and e-cigarette prevention strategies for youth virtually through school and professional development presentations.
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) will consist of a small group of high school (9th-12th grade) leaders who are dedicated to e-cigarette education and prevention. Members of the YAB will represent their region of Kentucky, improve their schools and communities by advocating for change, and collaborate with #iCANendthetrend college facilitators at the University of Kentucky. This leadership opportunity will prepare students for college and future careers and offer opportunities that will help them learn and grow as an advocate. YAB members will have unique opportunities, roles and experiences.
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April Learn and Earn to focus on education funding |
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The April installment of KSBA's popular Learn & Earn webinar series is at noon Eastern on April 14. Chay Ritter, Division of District Support, Kentucky Department of Education, will present “State Budget and School Funding,” offering an overview of the 2022 budget and what it means for school funding. (Counts for 1 hour of mandated board finance training. Registration is required.) Click the “Register Now” button below to begin easy online registration or view a complete 2021 Learn and Earn webinar schedule.
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Annual Conference seven weeks away |
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KSBA will host its 2021 Annual Conference May 14-16 in Louisville at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The new location will allow for adequate social distancing, provide larger breakout rooms to offer more than 50 sessions and comfortably accommodate one the state’s largest annual gatherings of education leaders. KSBA also anticipates the largest exhibitor tradeshow in the history of our Annual Conference. This year’s conference theme is “Kentucky School Boards: Champions for Education.”
Note: Student performers are featured throughout the weekend of KSBA’s Annual Conference. Does your district wish to showcase talents of a student soloist or ensemble group at this year’s event? Student involvement proposals are due April 1. Download a proposal form.
As of earlier this week, more than 500 conference attendees had already registered and more than 700 hotel conference block rooms had been booked – both indicative of a strong showing for KSBA’s first in-person training event since February 2020. Visit the Annual Conference page of KSBA’s website for more information and updates, including a full conference schedule, or click the “Register Now” button to begin online registration.
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Upcoming dates, deadlines and events |
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This edition of KSBA Aware is made possible in part
by the following KSBA Affiliate Members.
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Kentucky School Boards Association | 502-695-4630 | ksba.org
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