Kentucky's Capitol
(2010-02-22)
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House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, is defending two-percent cuts to the unversities, and the decision to roll back two instructional days in local school districts. The proposals have drawn fire from education groups and university presidents.
Photo courtesy Legislative Research Commission (Click image to enlarge)
FRANKFORT, KY (WEKU) - Concerns are being raised about education cuts in the broad budget outline released last Thursday by Kentucky House leaders.
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The House budget plan unveiled last week rolls back two classroom days, for a savings of around $34 million a year over the next biennium. The proposal is drawing fire from education groups, but House Speaker Greg Stumbo says Kentucky will still have more instructional hours than many surrounding states.
"Hopefully, if the economy gets better, perhaps this time two years from now, the General Assembly will be able to add those days back," says Stumbo. "But, the point is, there's no evidence at all that indicates that by adding two more days that the learning process is positively affected."
The budget plan also includes two percent cuts to the universities, and Stumbo says university presidents are seeking a meeting with him this week to discuss the matter.
(ADDITIONAL COMMENTS)
Speaker Stumbo says rolling back the instructional days will not put the state at a disadvantage.
"I'd just soon that we use the days that we have to better teach our kids," says Stumbo. "And if you look at the number of actual instructional hours, which is the true test, you'll see that we're above all of our peer states that surround us, except one I believe."
Stumbo also expects to soon be meeting with university presidents.
"They have requested a meeting at the end of this week," says Stumbo. "And again, we're looking at trying to find some M&O money. Understand they've got buildings that are coming online during this biennium that they need operational monies for."
The budget outline unveiled last week by House leaders cuts funding to the universities by two percent in the first year of the biennium, and continues the cut into the second year.
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