Kentucky’s legislature passed a new two-year state budget that focuses on increasing funding for K-12 schools. The budget bill, which now awaits Gov. Andy Beshear’s approval, represents the state’s main policy document and was the primary task for the GOP supermajority legislature this session. The final version of the budget was the result of negotiations by legislative leaders and includes provisions for increased per-pupil funding under the state’s main funding formula for public schools.
One of the key decisions in the budget bill was to leave teacher pay raises up to local school boards. Republican leaders expressed hope that the additional state funding would enable districts to provide raises to teachers. However, critics argued that the legislature missed an opportunity to allocate more generous funding to K-12 schools, especially during a time of significant budget reserves. Democratic Rep. Adrielle Camuel pointed out that without dedicated raises for teachers and school employees, districts would still struggle to fill vacancies.
The spending plan also includes increased state funding for school districts’ transportation costs, with the state funding 90% of those costs in the first year of the budget cycle and fully funding them in the second year. Additionally, the budget bill aims to address funding disparities between less-wealthy and wealthier school districts by allocating more state funds to the former. Despite these provisions, Gov. Beshear’s proposal to provide preschool for every 4-year-old in Kentucky did not receive funding in the budget, drawing criticism from some advocacy groups like the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.
The Prichard Committee commended the funding for full-day kindergarten and public universities but highlighted the lack of investments in early childhood education in the budget bill. The committee emphasized the importance of expanding access to quality early childhood education to support Kentucky’s economy in the present and the future. The budget bill also includes one-time investments financed by a portion of the state’s budget reserves, with funding allocated to the road fund, state pension liabilities, school improvements, community development, water projects, and substance abuse treatment programs.
Lawmakers will reconvene for a two-day session in mid-April to address any gubernatorial vetoes and remaining bills. The budget bill’s passage represents a significant achievement for the Kentucky legislature, as it fulfills the crucial responsibility of allocating funding for the state’s programs and services. The debate on education funding during the budget deliberations reflects the ongoing philosophical differences between Republican lawmakers and Gov. Beshear, particularly regarding teacher pay raises and preschool education. The final budget outcome reflects a compromise between these differing viewpoints, emphasizing investments in K-12 education while also addressing other important priorities for the state’s development and well-being.
