Last Updated on Thursday, July 03, 2008 at 5:02 AM
Issues regarding transportation were brought to my attention at the recent superintendents' meeting. Apparently, funding and other issues are very complicated.
To address the transportation issues, I am appointing a committee consisting of representatives from the Legislature, Legislative Research Commission, the Kentucky Department of Education, Superintendents and local school district Finance Officers to review the complexity of transportation.
The purpose of the study will be to improve internal operations of the Kentucky Department of Education as well as to make recommendations to the 2009 General Assembly. The recent study by the Office of Education Accountability (OEA) conducted for the General Assembly will provide good background data.
Among the topics to be considered are:
- Understanding the formula and how it works
- Education of all involved personnel about the funding formula
- Data integrity of formula elements
- Funding alternatives and approaches
- Legislative changes
- Funding and performance measurement
- Budgeting transportation costs
- Consideration of diverse transportation service needs.
I will keep you apprised of progress on this issue.
Jon E. Draud