Session results: Education remains a priority for lawmakers – The Advocate-Messenger

Representative Daniel Elliott

When you want to know what someone values, you look at their checkbook. Similarly, the state budget helps us understand our values ​​and how we fulfill our obligations to all Kentuckians. The laws enacted by Congress also reflect what we think is important. And when you consider both spending and policy, it's clear that we value education.

We spend more on education than any other area of ​​government, and this session we've made every attempt to get funding to the level closest to students. The education investments included in the state budget (HB 6) represent the largest increase in funding since the passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). Allocations within the budget include:

• SEEK funding will increase by 3% in the first year and 6% in the following year, for a total increase of $612 per student over two years.
• 90% of transportation expenses will be subsidized in FY2015, and fully subsidized in FY2016.
• Strengthening Tier 1 equalization increases access to funding for districts with limited ability to increase local revenue.
• The pilot student loan forgiveness program increased the General Fund by $4.8 million each fiscal year.
• Adds an additional $2.6 million over two years to the Teacher Scholarship Program
• $7.3 million in additional funding each fiscal year for a new student teacher scholarship program

And let me be clear: the budget includes plenty of funding for teacher raises. Rather than mandating that school districts give raises to their employees, Congress chose to provide additional funding to give districts the resources they need to set raises. This is the second budget we have used in response to requests from superintendents and school boards across the state.

Requiring school districts to give certain raises is bad policy and irresponsible. After all, teachers and school staff work directly for school districts, not the state. Can you imagine the state setting salaries for other independent agencies and organizations? Instead, we want to allow school districts to offer raises that they set based on need and local market.

We also provided support for teacher recruitment and retention, including student loan forgiveness programs and other scholarships.

Additionally, HB 6 includes nearly $2 billion for the Teachers' Retirement System, far more than required by law, but would strengthen the system for current and future retirees. This is the amount required to do so. HB 1 also includes $80 million in teacher retirement benefits.

• HB 142 – Bans all tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products in Kentucky public schools and requires school districts to adopt disciplinary procedures for violations. The measure also requires school districts to track and report incidents related to e-cigarettes annually to the Department of Education.
• HB 162 – Focuses on improving mathematics teaching and understanding through increased accountability, expanded training and support for teachers, and practical interventions for students. The measure also establishes the Kentucky Mathematics Count Fund to coordinate post-secondary preparation for teacher candidates and support teachers in rural districts.
• HB 446 – Addresses disciplinary issues on school buses by requiring a signed agreement between parents and school districts that outlines behavioral expectations and consequences for misconduct.
• HB 611 – Increases accountability for chronic absenteeism by requiring school officials to file a complaint with the county attorney if a kindergarten through fifth grade student misses 15 days of school without excuse.
• HB 695 – Establishes an adaptive kindergarten readiness pilot project aimed at increasing family engagement by providing age-appropriate reading instruction using online learning platforms.
• HB 825 – Requires the State Audit Office to conduct an audit of the financial management and operational performance of the Kentucky Department of Education. This program review includes the Kentucky School for the Blind, Kentucky School for the Deaf, and state-run technology centers. The audit is expected to be carried out by July 1, 2025, by the Interim Joint Committee on Education.
• SB 2 – Expands existing school safety laws to provide both better physical safety and broader mental health supports. The bill would allow local school boards to hire armed “parent” safety officers until school resource officer positions become available. The measure also updates requirements regarding trauma-informed teams. Extend existing suicide prevention training to employees who work with students in grades 4 through 12. It also requires school districts to provide anonymous reporting tools where students and parents can provide information about potential threats.
• SB 167 – Requires the inclusion of cursive in the elementary school curriculum and is designed to ensure proficiency by the end of fifth grade. This requirement will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

As always, you can always reach us on our toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email (daniel.elliott@lrc.ky.gov) or stay up to date on his website for the Kentucky Legislature (legislature.ky.gov).