Kentucky's Capitol
(2010-02-09)
Listen Now:
null
Rep. Kent Stevens, D-Lawrenceburg, is the primary sponsor of the KERA reform bill. The measure, which cleared the House Education committee, would give superintendents more say in the hiring of local school principals.
Photo courtesy Legislative Research Commission (Click image to enlarge)
FRANKFORT, KY (WEKU) - A Kentucky House committee has approved legislation altering a key education reform provision enacted 20 years ago.
(CLICK ARROW ON BAR ABOVE TO HEAR TONY'S REPORT)
Under the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990, school-based councils choose principals. But legislation sponsored by Rep. Kent Stevens, would let superintendents make the final choice if, within three weeks, school councils are unable to reach agreement on a finalist.
"I just feel, in my opinion, that the superintendent sees the total picture and knows what's best for the school system," says Stevens. "And you'd be crazy not to want the best person."
With 18 members of the House Education committee voting Yes, and nine voting No, the bill advanced to the House floor. The committee also heard testimony from First Lady Jane Beshear on a bill boosting the dropout age from 16 to 18 by July 2014, but delayed action on the measure.
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE COMMITTEE HEARING)
Among opponents of the KERA reform bill is Rep. Charles Miller, D-Louisville, a retired Jefferson County school principal.
"I think this was the purpose of KERA," says Miller. "And this was a purpose of the council, was to try to get better principals in the school. Because you got parents and all these people involved in that school, therefore they should know who the fit is - as good as the superintendent. Maybe better."
In her testimony before the committee, First Lady Jane Beshear urged passage of the bill boosting the state's dropout age from 16 to 18. The former Woodford County High School teacher says dropouts have many reasons for not graduating.
"Whatever their reason, that outcome is still the same," says Mrs. Beshear. "Dropouts earn less than $6800 a year than high school graduates. They're more likely to battle addiction. They're more likely to end up in our prison and jail systems. They're generally unhealthy. And they consume a lot of our social services."
But with committee members raising numerous questions about the bill, the measure was put on hold until next week.
© Copyright 2012, WEKU
