Legislative Priorities

The school superintendents of Kentucky believe unequivocally that education is the surest path to economic success and that our willingness to invest in public education will ultimately determine our future.  Kentucky must realize dramatic increases in educational attainment at all levels if we are to successfully grow our economy and ensure that our citizens can access the jobs of tomorrow. 

To that end, the superintendents of Kentucky strongly urge the General Assembly to restore per-pupil SEEK funding and other categorical program funding including Extended School Services, Textbooks, KERA Preschool, Professional Development and Safe-Schools to 2008 levels.

Working together, we are confident that school superintendents can partner with the General Assembly to chart a reasonable course toward adequate support for Kentucky’s schools, a better economy and a brighter future for all Kentucky citizens.

Other KASS legislative priorities

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Because of the strong correlation between quality early education and positive student outcomes, KASS supports full state funding for the creation of a quality pre-K experience for every child in Kentucky.  KASS also supports full funding for full-day kindergarten.

TRIBUNAL LANGUAGE REFORM 

In our continued pursuit to ensure a highly effective teacher in every Kentucky classroom, KASS urges the General Assembly to amend KRS 161.790 to establish sub-section (1)(d), including inefficiency, incompetency or neglect of duty to be distinguished apart from misconduct terminations of a teacher contract.  KASS also supports amending KRS 161.790 as it relates to the tribunal process to guarantee a non-partisan and expeditious review panel while ensuring due process.

 KRS/KTRS PENSION FUNDING  

Understanding the serious implications of underfunded pensions and other competitition for adequate education funding, KASS supports additional efforts to increase state revenues including:

• placing gaming on the ballot with the expectation that additional revenue generated from gaming should be dedicated solely to support the KRS/KTRS pension funds;
• giving careful attention to task force recommendations for tax modernization.

INCREASE IN COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE  

Kentucky superintendents support a graduated increase in compulsory attendance to age 17, then 18, provided that such an increase comes with funding for schools and districts to provide effective alternative educational services for those students who might otherwise have dropped out of school.  Without additional targeted funding support, schools will be insufficiently prepared to meet these students’ unique educational and social-emotional needs.