(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- At its regular meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations, had in-depth discussions and made decisions on a number of items, including additional state funding for education, the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS)and requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
The board agreed to adopt the Commissioner of Education's recommendations concerning the distribution of an additional $10 million in state funding for education. The recommendation called for the money to be earmarked for technology and preschool services, with flexibility for districts to use the money in other areas if needed. The recommendation will be presented to Gov. Ernie Fletcher.
The board also took the following actions:
- agreed to give final approval to amendments to 703 KAR 5:040, which relates accountability to A1 schools and A2-A6 programs
- endorsed a recommendation for certification for Abby's Child Enrichment Center in Highland Heights
- approved 2003-04 local tax rates levied for Clark County, Leslie County and Ludlow Independent
- approved district facility plans for Letcher County and Ft. Thomas, Hazard and Williamstown Independents
- approved district facility plan amendments for Daviess and Todd Counties
- approved a request from Jefferson County to renew an existing waiver to the state Competitive Food Rule
- approved the FY05 Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) unmet need for school districts
Citizens and school district officials from Breathitt County and Jackson Independent attended the board meeting, during which the appeal of a nonresident student contract ruling was discussed. After its first motion was defeated, the board agreed to direct the districts to accept a set number of nonresident students to be counted in average daily attendance for the 2003-04 school year. The board strongly encouraged officials from the two districts to come to an agreement on a future nonresident contract.
The board reviewed and had discussions on a number of items, including:
- legislative implementation plan
- improvements to CATS
- request for proposals for CATS
- the Kentucky School for the Deaf and Kentucky School for the Blind action plan
- diplomas for veterans
- criteria and reporting format for persistently dangerous schools as required under NCLB
- Reading First
- possible secondary GED program criteria
- refocusing secondary education
- end-of-course assessments
- American Diploma Project
- transportation issues
- the Kentucky School Facilities Planning Manual
- inspection and approval of building sites
- Medicaid Administrative Claiming
- Deficit and Watch List Districts
The board heard a presentation by staff members from the Clark County school district about the system's use of an inclusionary model for its students with disabilities. The district provides many services for those students, including online assessments and peer tutoring.
The next meeting of the Kentucky Board of Education will be August 11 and 12 in Frankfort. More information about the board is available here.
##