Education
Republican-backed change to teacher pay for sick days forwarded by committee
FRANKFORT — Despite concerns voiced by educators, a Senate committee forwarded a bill Wednesday that would change how teachers are paid for accumulated sick leave when they retire.? In an 8-3 vote, the Senate State and Local Government Committee gave a favorable recommendation to Senate Bill 4. Sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, the bill […]
No cell phones in class for Kentucky public school students if advancing bill becomes law
FRANKFORT — Legislation prohibiting Kentucky public school students from using their cell phones during class is a step closer to becoming law.? The House Education Committee gave bipartisan approval Tuesday to House Bill 383, which would require local school boards to adopt policies banning students from using cell phones during “instructional time.” A few committee […]
House passes two-year Kentucky budget, $1.7 billion in one-time spending
FRANKFORT — After hours of questioning and much criticism from Democrats, the GOP-dominated Kentucky House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $129.6 billion two-year state spending plan. The House also approved more than $1.7 billion in one-time spending from the state’s record-high “rainy day” fund which will pay down pension liabilities and fund infrastructure, in […]
Beshear underscores support for DEI during Black History Month celebration
FRANKFORT — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear reaffirmed his support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives during a Black History Month celebration Thursday at the Kentucky Capitol.? Amid a flurry of anti-DEI legislation in the Republican-controlled General Assembly, Beshear told the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda that “diversity is an asset” and makes Kentucky “more […]
School transportation would be fully funded for first time in decades under House budget plan
FRANKFORT — Kentucky House Republicans would fully fund school transportation in a state budget proposal that advanced from committee Wednesday.?? The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee in a special-called meeting approved bills funding all three branches of government, making one-time appropriations from the state’s “rainy day” fund and releasing tens of millions of dollars in […]
House budget falls short of providing competitive teacher salaries, say Kentucky school administrators
FRANKFORT — Kentucky school districts would be unable to offer competitive teacher salaries under the state budget proposed in the Kentucky House, according to a survey of Kentucky school administrators. The Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) says 96% of respondents said the “proposed budget increase will not enable the district to attract and retain […]
‘Becoming bell hooks’ to premiere on KET in February
KET will celebrate the February premiere of its documentary “Becoming bell hooks” with preview screenings in Louisville and Lexington. A KET release says the documentary “explores?the life and legacy of Kentucky-born author bell hooks, who wrote nearly 40 books and whose work at the intersection of race, class and gender serves as a lasting contribution […]
Constitutional amendment to use public money for non-public schools proposed in KY House
FRANKFORT — Priority GOP legislation that would allow public funding to non-public schools was filed in the Kentucky House Friday.? The primary sponsor of House Bill 2 is Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro. The legislation seeks to amend the state Constitution to give the General Assembly the ability to give dollars to “the education […]
Senate OKs expanding KEES eligibility to homeschool students, including those who take alternative entrance exam
FRANKFORT — Kentucky senators approved a bill that would make homeschool students eligible for a state-funded scholarship, but some raised concerns over the inclusion of a Christian-backed alternative college entrance exam as an equivalent test.? The Senate passed Senate Bill 7 with a vote of 33-4 on Tuesday. The GOP legislation would make students from […]
EKU plans to study feasibility of training osteopathic physicians
Eastern Kentucky University is seeking vendors to study the feasibility of opening a public college of osteopathic medicine. The private University of Pikeville has been training osteopathic physicians at its Kentucky College of Osteopathy since 1997. In a release, EKU President David McFaddin said: “It is our commitment to our students and the Commonwealth to […]
Discussion, no vote on bill mandating how academics in Kentucky would be evaluated
The Kentucky House Education Committee discussed but did not vote on a bill Tuesday that would allow public universities and colleges to remove faculty who fall short of “productivity requirements.”? Rep. James Tipton, the Republican chairman of the committee and the sponsor of House Bill 228, said the agenda was changed Monday night. Originally, the […]
‘Moment of silence’ would be mandatory in Kentucky public schools under bill moved by House committee
Kentucky public schools would be required to begin each day with a moment of silence or reflection under a bill that was advanced Tuesday by the House Education Committee. Rep. Tina Bojanowski, a Louisville Democrat and public school teacher, opposed House Bill 96, saying it “reads as a bill that requires prayer during the school […]