Several education bills passed out of committee today, including a proposal that would allow teachers to cash out their sick days.

And one that aims to solve the state's truancy problem with a more family focused approach.

And tonight's legislative update.

Our Mackenzie Sprague brings us up to date on some of the bills that could have a big impact on Kentucky schools.

Senate Bill 170 aims to establish a pilot program called Soar, or the Supporting Opportunities for Accountability and Restoration Program.

Soar focuses on early interventions for families with truant children.

Creating individualized plans to meet their needs and improve attendance.

Supporters of the bill say it provides the support and accountability for families that need it.

We're going to transition from focusing on the child to focusing on the family.

And so the key is they're going to have a family plan, but they've already kind of put together.

And then if there's a problem, the kids not going back to school or whatever, the CW is going to figure out why that is.

And it could lead to a dependency, neglect and abuse, a referral being made to the cabinet because, you know, if you've got a 14 year old that's not going to school, okay, fine.

It's the kid.

Kid's got some fault there.

Where's the parents?

What are they doing?

They need accountability.

And this brings accountability to the parents.

If passed, the Soar program would start in ten districts in the state chosen by the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Participating schools would create what's called a Rise team, made up of a court designated worker, school counselor, school resource officer, and other members of the school or mental health community.

The goal of the Rise team is to engage with truant children before having to involve the legal system.

We know early engagement with these families is key, and so getting them those access to those services and supports and, you know, telling those community partners this is our need right now in this individual school.

And then the rise team that's in here within this legislation, those are the movers and shakers, you know, not at a big system level of the community, but actually they have hands and eyes on these children day in and day out.

So we would hope to mobilize those supports very early on versus waiting until the courts are involved.

Proponents of the bill say it will not only improve educational outcomes for children otherwise missing school, but it will also improve public safety in the long run.

Citing truancy as an early indicator of criminal behavior.

There was a study from Miami-Dade County that found that they're serious offenders.

75 to 85% of their serious offenders had engage had been truancy, and a history of truancy as low as a third grade.

Senate Bill 170 passed the House judiciary Committee and will next head to the full House for consideration there in the House Committee on Primary and Secondary Education.

Lawmakers discussed how to tackle the substitute teacher shortage from a new direction.

This idea was born out of the problem, really addressing that that sub shortage solution.

And instead of looking at it through the lens of we need more subs, looking at it through the lens of how can we limit our need for subs in the first place?

Senate Bill 124 would create an optional Sick day cash out program for teachers who have more than 15 sick days acquired.

The bill's proponents say it's to encourage teachers to use their sick days more sparingly, adding that students benefit from having a teacher in the classroom more often, and teachers benefit from having more options for their unused sick days.

You know, if teachers choose to cash in these days and they'll have the freedom to use that money how they wish, but they choose to put it in a retirement account like a 457 B or some type of IRA.

This actually can have a significant positive impact to their retirement income, because that money would appreciate at a much greater rate than if they left it in, and then cash in those days at the end of retirement.

Senate Bill 124 would also allow teachers to use a sick day for religious holidays that aren't on the official school calendar.

It passed out of the House committee this morning.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Mackenzie Spink.

And to many thanks, Mackenzie.

Senate bill two also cleared the House Primary and Secondary education Committee today.

It would ensure that school administrator pay raises not outpaced those given to classroom teachers.