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.  To that end, 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. 

In our pursuit of those goals, superintendents face complex challenges as we attempt to operate quality systems with inadequate funding.  The thought of adding program expectations to already over-extended budgets is overwhelming and even counter-productive, so we urge the General Assembly to resist legislation that would increase program requirements for local districts, no matter how well-intended, without providing adequate, sustainable funding support.  Superintendents support concepts such as increasing compulsory school age, addressing the problems of childhood obesity, creating innovation schools, developing new and creative paths to early graduation, and other programs that promise to enhance educational opportunities for our children, but we must not layer new program expectations on top of those essential programs that are already underfunded such as full-day kindergarten, preschool programs, school facilities, and transportation.

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

KASS legislative priorities

Funding Issues

The superintendents of Kentucky strongly urge the General Assembly to restore educational spending to 2008 level-funding to include SEEK and other categorical programs including Extended School Services, Textbooks, KERA Preschool, Professional Development, and Safe Schools.  KASS also supports:

  • Eliminating all unfunded mandates
  • Moving toward increased funding for full-day Kindergarten
  • Funding for Early Childhood Education
  • Necessary funding to support increasing compulsory school age from 16 to 18
  • Changing the base school facility funding formula for FSPK from 5 cents to 10 cents to be non-recallable and fully equalized

Non-Funding Issues

KASS supports increased autonomy of local school districts to ensure teacher effectiveness and enhanced student achievement including:

  • Amending 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
  • Amending KRS 161.790 as it relates to the tribunal process to guarantee a non-partisan and expeditious review panel while ensuring due process
  • Continuing the authority of the local board of education to set the start and end dates of the school calendar
  • Ensuring that the school district remains the lead decision maker in the support of struggling schools.  (e.g., school assistance models should be customized to meet the unique needs of schools and districts)