Yesterday, the House Education Committee passed Senate Bill 156, a bill to create a statewide reading research center.

Today, the committee considered an addition to that bill that would require an independent audit of the Jefferson County Public School system.

It also recommended breaking up the district into several smaller districts.

Senator Stephen West explained those additions to the bill.

Two thirds of Kentucky's lowest performing schools are in high poverty, mostly minority schools and Jacobs.

So we have we've had a ton of audits.

Sounds like going way back.

But as a General Assembly, we have to be about results.

We have to have results.

And so those audits primarily have been for the information of JCPenney.

And that's great.

But this audit, as constituted, would be primarily for the benefit of JCPenney's and the General Assembly.

They've had audit after audit.

What do we think this audits going to show?

We know what the problems are.

But some of the things we're trying to do to help fix them.

They're not going to work, you know, because we know we know our public schools are made up of our societal issues.

So my question, everyone is, what are we doing about the societal issues?

That's our public schools.

We need more social workers.

We need rating specialists.

We need every every kid reading on grade level by third grade.

And we're going to have them pay for another audit.

It's going to give us the information that we already know.

So, I mean, to me, it's a waste of money wasted time.

And here we are the last time we get something like this attached to a really good bill.

And, you know, and I know I've been here long enough to know that's how things operate up here, but it's not right.

And I'm a no on this.

Thank you.

Jefferson County Superintendent Dr. Marti Pollio was most concerned about the recommendation that Jefferson County be split into multiple school districts.

He says that would cost more money and make the teacher shortage worse.

I am not opposed to an audit at all.

Bring on audit, if that's what we have.

I've stood up to seven, eight, ten different audits in a matter of five years.

I'm all right with that.

Bring the audit if that's what it takes.

Don't put in a predetermined decision with a recommendation to break up our district into multiple districts.

That is not good for the community.

And it will be one of the most devastating decisions for education in Jefferson County in 50 years.

The committee vote was 9 to 6, with three members passing, maybe even though more members voted yes than no.

Nine yes votes weren't enough to move the bill forward.

So this proposed audit will not be added to the bill.