Beech Tree News Network

Gov. Matt Bevin vetoed a two-year budget proposal and tax overhaul on Monday despite calls from the statewide teachers union to spare the bills and protect funding for public education.

"I cannot support a proposal that ignores fiscal reality and continues to kick the can of financial responsibility down the road," Bevin said in a statement defending his veto of the budget.

Now, legislators have until midnight Saturday to override the vetoes, which, under Kentucky law, would require 51 votes in the House and 20 votes in the Senate.

Here's what's at stake for teachers and K-12 education in the bill:

SEEK funding

The Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding program combines state and local dollars and is the main source of K-12 funding for Kentucky schools.

Lawmakers, including Bevin, had said since the legislative session began that SEEK per-pupil funds would be protected. Under the budget vetoed by Bevin, districts would have received $4,000 per student, up from the current $3,981. 

The budget bill also would have restored cuts to transportation funding made in the governor's January budget proposal.

Funding for resource centers 

The state's Family Resource and Youth Services Centers would have been spared deep cuts under the budget bill. Though they would have received $3 million less over each of the next two fiscal years from the Education Department's budget, funds from the Health and Family Services Department would have made up for that loss. Overall, the centers would have seen an increase of $13.3 million over the next two fiscal years.

Textbooks and other instructional resources

The state appropriated $17 million toward textbooks and other instructional resources, including technology, in the current fiscal year. Under the bill, these resources would have been zeroed out. 

Teacher professional development

The state appropriated $12 million toward professional development programs in the current fiscal year. Under the bill, these funds would have been zeroed out. 

AP and IB exams

The bill would have provided $1 million toward Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exam fees for students from low-income households.

Teacher benefits

The bill would have fully funded the actuarially required contribution (ARC) for the Teachers' Retirement System and the Kentucky Employee Health Plan for active teachers and retired teachers not yet old enough to qualify for Medicare, over each of the next two fiscal years.

Help for coal districts

The bill would have provided $10 million in the next fiscal year to support school districts whose local revenues have plunged due to a lower assessment of unmined minerals.

Safer schools

The bill would have provided nearly $3.3 million in each of the next two fiscal years for the Kentucky Department of Education's Safe Schools Program, which assists schools with various safety topics including bullying.

Literacy

The bill would have provided $1.2 million in each of the next two fiscal years for the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development, which provides professional development and coaching for educators.

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Date: 04-10-2018

By Mandy McLaren
Louisville Courier Journal

Kentucky Press News Service