(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- At its regular meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations and had in-depth discussions on a number of items, including state funding for P-12 education and the state preschool program.
After a discussion of funding for public education, the board agreed to adopt a resolution declaring that the state's budget crisis is a revenue problem, not a spending problem, and urging the state's leaders to generate sufficient revenue to fund public education adequately. Board Chair Helen Mountjoy said during the meeting that the board had not taken such an action in her memory. But, she also said the board recognizes that, clearly, we are at a turning point in our state's history.
The board heard a presentation on the Phase II Adequacy Study of the Supporting Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) formula, which was produced by Allan Odden and Larry Picus. At an earlier meeting, the board had heard the results of the Phase I study, which differs from the Phase II study in the approach used to determine funding costs for P-12 education and the estimated amounts of money needed.
Phase II used a professional judgment model, in which input from educators across the state was used to determine what an adequately-funded education system would look like. Major points of discussion included the study's assertion that, to fund education adequately under the Phase II approach, an addition $2.3 billion would be required over current expenditures of $3.9 billion.
The additional monies would cover increasing teacher salaries to the national average, expanding the state preschool program, lengthening the school year by five days and lowering the student-computer ratio.
The board heard a presentation on the state's preschool program, which provides developmentally-appropriate educational services to at-risk four-year-olds and three- and four-year-olds with disabilities. In the 2001-02 school year, more than 22,000 children were served through state-funded preschool programs in Kentucky.
Major concerns of the board were adequate funding and effective scheduling of preschool services. Since 1992, the per child funding rate for preschool children has decreased slightly, and the numbers of eligible children continue to rise. The board discussed including preschool monies within the SEEK funding formula, which would increase the amount for preschool by 50 to 80 percent.
On the effective scheduling issue, the board expressed concern about alternative proposals from school districts to decrease the number of days preschool is offered while increasing the number of hours per day. Early childhood educators generally agree that offering preschool for four days each week is better than offering it for two days each week. Currently, only four school districts operate a two-day per week program, and five other districts have inquired about the possibility of doing so.
During its meeting, the board's Management Support Committee heard from Harlan County school district officials and concerned citizens about the local school board's request for a waiver of the two-thirds majority vote of the Local Planning Committee and approval of the district's facility plan. The committee voted to recommend waiving the vote and approving the plan, and the full board accepted that recommendation.
The board also took the following actions:
- adopted Kentucky's policy and definitions for the Unsafe School Choice Option of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (agreed to the proposed definitions of "Persistently Dangerous School" and "Victim of a Violent Crime" and approved the intervention plan to help districts with schools in danger of being labeled persistently dangerous)
- accepted the recommendations of the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission to certify specific non-public schools
- approved the amendment of 704 KAR 7:050 (Student Discipline Guidelines) to bring it into compliance with other statutes
- approved recommendations for appointments to the State Textbook Commission
- approved Leslie County's local tax rate levied approved district facility plans for 28 school districts and an amendment to a facility plan for one district
- certified the eligibility of school districts to participate in the Urgent Need School Trust Fund Program
- approved the revised "Kentucky Minimum Specifications for School Buses"
- approved the appointment of an at-large member to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association's Board of Control
The board heard reports and had discussions on the following items:
- the facility planning process for school districts
- budget priorities
- safety reports and recommendations for the Kentucky School for the Blind and Kentucky School for the Deaf
- a proposed approach to refocusing middle and high school education
- recommendations from the P-16 Council on the American Diploma Project
- assessment and accountability issues related to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
The next meeting of the Kentucky Board of Education will be August 6 and 7 in Frankfort. More information about the board is available at http://www.kde.state.ky.us/KDE/Administrative+Resources/Kentucky+Board+of+Education/default.htm.
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