[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US THIS EVENING.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT, K-12 EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.

ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, THE SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING AND ADVOCATES SAY THE STATE SHOULD BE SPENDING $718 MILLION A YEAR ON EDUCATION.

BUT HOW MUCH SUPPORT DOES THAT IDEA HAVE IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

THERE ARE JUST A FEW MONTHS LEFT BEFORE STATE LAWMAKERS CONVENE IN FRANKFORT TO HAMMER OUT A SPENDING PLAN.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATES ANNOUNCED THEIR FUNDING REQUEST WHICH WAS THREE QUARTERS OF A BILLION MORE THAN WHAT THEY RECEIVED IN THE LAST BUDGET.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER HAS MORE.

>> PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS KY IS THE GROUP THAT SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT AMENDMENT 2, THE 2024 BALLOT MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED PUBLIC DOLLARS TO GO TO PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

NOW THE GROUP IS ASKING FOR MORE MONEY WHEN LAWMAKERS PREPARE A TWO-YEAR BUDGET IN THE NEW YEAR.

>> EVERY DOLLAR WE INVEST IN EDUCATION TODAY IS A DOLLAR THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.

>> KENTUCKY'S BASE PER PUPIL FUNDING IS MORE THAN $4500.

ALONG WITH SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION AND MATCHES TO LOCAL FUNDING THAT COSTS THE STATE $3.3 BILLION A YEAR.

>> WE ARE ASKING LAWMAKERS TO INVEST $718 MILLION INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THAT IS JUST A LITTLE OVER 3% OF KENTUCKY'S TOTAL BUDGET.

THIS INVESTMENT WOULD EQUATE TO AN INCREASE IN 1161 PER EACH KENTUCKY STUDENT.

THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO RAISE SEEK FUNDS BY 14%.

FULLY FUND SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.

AND INVEST $38 MILLION TOWARDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TEXTBOOKS AND CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY.

>> THE GROUPS ASKS ANALYSIS FROM THE LEFT LEANING KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY THAT SAYS RECORD-HIGH EDUCATION FUNDING FROM THE STATE HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION.

>> IN 2020 A CHROME BOOK PURCHASE FOR A STUDENT 0 COST $373.

THAT SAME DEVICE TODAY COSTS $565.

AN INCREASE IN $200 PER STUDENT FOR EACH DEVICE.

WHILE KENTUCKY'S LAST BUDGET WAS THE HIGHEST THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN TERMS OF RAW DOLLARS, IT STILL FALLS SHORT OF THE INVESTMENT LEVELS IN 2008 WHEN THAT IS ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.

>> REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY'S STATE HOUSE HAVE ALREADY PUSHED BACK ON THIS INITIAL REQUEST.

IN A STATEMENT, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WROTE QUOTE FAR TOO MANY KENTUCKY CHILDREN DON'T READ OR UNDERSTAND MATH AT GRADE LEVEL IT IS PASTIME FOR THE EDUCATION BURE ROCKSY TO STOP DEMANDING MORE MONEY INSTEAD FOCUS ON THE CLASSROOM AND HELPING STUDENTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.

THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE WROTE QUOTE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS PRAISED FOR PASSING THE BEST EDUCATION BUDGET IN A GENERATION NOW WE'RE BEING HANDED A HYPER PARTISAN REQUEST THAT DOESN'T MERIT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION FROM LAWMAKERS.

ASIDE FROM PER PUPIL FUNDING, REPUBLICANS TOUT FUNDING THAT CHIPPED AWAY AT TEACHERS PENSION LIABILITY.

DEMOCRATS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATES SAY THOSE INVESTMENTS DO NOT TRANSLATE TO THE CLASSROOM.

FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, SO MUCH JUNE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE WITH FOUR GUESTS IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO.

WE HAVE WITH US, GUS LAFONTAINE, FOUNDER OF THE LAFONTAINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND LAFONTAINE EARLY LEARNING CENTER.

RHONDA CALDWELL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

ANDREW MCNEILL, PRESIDENT OF KENTUCKY FREE, THE KENTUCKY FORUM FOR RIGHTS ECONOMIC AND EDUCATION AND WE HAVE WITH US, ROB CLAYTON SUPERINTENDENT OF WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL FOR BETTER EDUCATION.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU TONIGHT.

YOU CAN SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN E-MAIL TO KY TONIGHT AT KET.ORG OR USE THE FORM AT KET.ORG/KY TONIGHT OR YOU MAY CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

FIRST TIME FOR YOU Mr.

LAFONTAINE WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE WITH US.

WE WILL START WITH THIS SIDE.

WE HEARD KERRY WITH ROCK CASTLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT SAY THAT THEY WANT AN INCREASE OF 1100 PER STUDENT.

WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH THAT MONEY THAT IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DONE?

>> SUPERINTENDENT CLAYTON?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S MANY THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FUNDING IS REALLY REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SUCCESSFUL.

AND THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

WE'RE ASKING FOR A BUDGET SIMILAR TO WHAT WE WERE RECEIVING BACK NOW 17 YEARS AGO WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.

AND THE NEEDS THAT WE SEE AMONGST OUR STUDENTS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED.

BUT YET, WE'RE SEEING THE FLAT BUDGET.

WE'RE APPRECIATIVE CERTAINLY OF THE RECORD INVESTMENT LAST YEAR LAST BUDGET CYCLE.

BUT THE REALITY IS WITH INFLATION EVERYTHING'S A WRECK.

OUR BUDGETS ARE RECORDS.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE INFLATION.

BUT THEN WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND THE REALITY IS JUST IN ONE EXAMPLE, IN WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE'RE SPENDING $24 MILLION OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND ON THE BACKS OF OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS, BECAUSE NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET COMING FROM THE STATE, WHAT USED TO BE ROUGHLY 60% WAS COMING FROM THE STATE COFFERS AND 40% LOCAL, THAT'S FLIPPED OVER THE LAST DECADE PLUS TO WHERE JUST HERE IN WARREN COUNTY WE'RE LOOKING AT A 46% IS COMING FROM THE STATE AND 54% NOW IS COMING ON THE BACKS OF OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS.

WE'RE FORTUNATE, BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR TAXPAYERS ARE IN OUR SCHOOLS OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY COMING TO OUR SCHOOLS THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF BOTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ENSURE THAT OUR PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN INCREASED EVERY YEAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COVID IN TERMS OF GENERATING NEW REVENUE.

THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT FLAT BECAUSE WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE ASSESSMENTS.

MY POINT IS THAT WE'RE RELYING ON OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS TO PICK UP THE DIFFERENCE.

AND I THINK ANOTHER KEY POINT IS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROGRESS SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE STATE OF KENTUCKY WHICH, AGAIN, I WOULD CHALLENGE HOW MANY OF OUR LAWMAKERS KNOW THIS, THAT KENTUCKY IS IN THE TOP 10 IN READING AND MATH RECOVERY SINCE THE PANDEMIC MOST NOTABLY SIXTH IN READING AND EIGHTH IN MATH.

SO THAT TELLS YOU THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE REALLY RALLIED TO TRY TO MITIGATE THE FUNDING SHORTFALL AND ALSO THE PANDEMIC.

>> Renee: BACK TO THAT POINT, SUPERINTENDENT CLAYTON.

Dr.

CALDWELL, BECAUSE HE IS CORRECT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN STEADY GAINS OR PROGRESS MADE WHEN IT COMES TO FOURTH GRADE READING AND EIGHTH GRADE THEY HAVE INCREASED BUT MATH AND READING SCORES FOR 12TH GRADERS REACHED A 20-YEAR LOW ACCORDING TO THE REPORT CARD.

THE NEW LOW REFLECTS A DECADE LONG NEGATIVE TREND IN HIGH SCHOOL LITERACY AND MATH SKILLS.

WHEN YOU HEAR THERE ARE GAINS HERE AND LOSSES HERE, SQUARE THAT AND WHY MORE INVESTMENT IS NEEDED AND SOME SAYING THE CURRENT INVESTMENT ISN'T DOING WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.

THE CLASSROOM TEACHER IS THE NUMBER ONE PREDICTER FOR A CHILD'S SUCCESS HERE IN THE CLASSROOM SETTING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TODAY.

AND OUR WE'VE BEEN FACE A TEACHER SHORTAGE FOR QUITE SOMETIME.

AND TODAY, OUR CLASSROOMS ARE FILLED WITH WHAT WE CALL TEACHERS WHO BRING ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATIONS TO US.

SO THESE TEACHERS WHILE WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THEM, THEY ARE COMING TO US SAYING I WANT TO TRYOUT TEACHING, I THINK I CAN DO THIS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE FEIGNING IN MOST CASES THIS DOESN'T WORKOUT.

AND MOST OF OUR CLASSROOMS NOW, ACTUALLY I CHECKED WITH 12 OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TODAY EARLIER TODAY CHECKED IN WITH THOSE SUPERINTENDENTS, AND ASKING THEM ABOUT THE LANDSCAPE OF THEIR VACANCIES.

AND WHAT I LEARNED FROM THEM EACH OF THEM HAD ONE TO TWO VACANCIES IN ALL CASES WHETHER THEY WERE HIRING 11 TEACHERS, 20 TEACHERS, POSSIBLY 30 TEACHERS, MOST OF THOSE ARE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION.

SO THAT TRANSLATES IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOMS WHO THEY BRING SOME LEVEL OF EXPERTISE BY WAY OF A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR SOME COMBINATION OF EDUCATION BEHIND THEM.

BUT THEY DO NOT BRING -- THEY ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE A CLASSROOM.

UNDERSTANDING HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE LEARNING.

I MIGHT HAVE 24 THIRD GRADERS OR 32 HIGH SCHOOLERS, AND I NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW EACH OF THEM IS GOING TO LEARN DIFFERENTLY.

AND BE ABLE TO TEACH THEM.

AND SO WHAT HAPPENS ONCE WE HIRE THEM, WE TAKE ALL OF OUR RESOURCES SO THE ENTIRE SCHOOL NOW IF WE HAVE A STAFF CERTIFIED STAFF OF 30 AND LET'S SAY 50% HAVE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATIONS, SO YOU HAVE THE ENTIRE SCHOOL AND WHATEVER RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE OR DISTRICT OFFICE LEVEL NOW WORKING TO ONBOARD AND ASSIMILATE THESE TEACHERS SO IT'S THE ENTIRE VILLAGE CONCEPT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE STRUGGLING FOR PROGRESS AT ALL LEVELS.

STARTING AS EARLY AS KINDERGARTEN PRESCHOOL.

BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE STRONG PIPELINE THAT WE NEED AT THE TEACHER LEVEL.

AND WE DO NOT HAVE THAT STRONG PIPELINE NOW WHICH THE TEACHER PIPELINE WOULD TYPICALLY FEED OUR PRINCIPALSHIP PIPELINE AND THAT NEEDS A LOT OF STRENGTHENING AS WELL.

>> Renee: YOU ARE SAYING THAT BETTER TEACHER PAY WOULD ATTRACT FOLKS WHO HAVE GONE THE ACADEMIC LINES TO BECOME TEACHERS NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE EXPERTISE IN A PARTICULAR FIELD?

>> SO WHEN I PICKED UP ON THE COMMENT EARLIER IN TERMS OF THE INVESTMENT DOESN'T TRANSLATE INTO READING AND MATH SCORES.

IF YOU LOOK AT LAST YEAR, OUR LOWEST AVERAGE STARTING TEACHER PAY LOWEST PAY WAS $35,000.

FOR A CLASSROOM TEACHER IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR STATE.

NOW, OUR AVERAGE RIGHT NOW IS UP AROUND $40,000.

WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

BUT OUR TEACHERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO LIVE.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO PAY RENT.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO OWN A CAR, TO TRANSPORT.

AND THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THE CLASSROOM DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

AND BECAUSE OF THESE LOWER PAY LEVEL WHAT IS WE FIND IS MANY OF OUR TEACHERS ARE WORKING SECOND AND THIRD JOBS.

BUT COMING BACK TO THE QUESTION AROUND THE RESEARCH DOES SHOW US WHEN TEACHERS ARE PAID MORE, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT INCREASES.

AND I WANT TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE WE LOOK AT THE COUNTRY OF FINLAND QUITE A BIT AND SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE A EDUCATIONAL TOUR AND STUDY AND TALK WITH TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOMS.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THOSE TEACHERS NUMBER ONE, THEY ARE PAID ON PAR WITH DOCTORS.

AND I ALSO LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS IN TERMS HOW THEY APPROACH IT, BUT I ALSO LEARNED FROM A RETIREMENT PERSPECTIVE THEY ALSO EXPECTED A NICE RETIREMENT ONE THAT THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED TO OVER TIME.

AND EARNED OVER THE YEARS.

AND THEY WOULD WORK LONGER THAN OUR TEACHERS.

BUT BEING PAID ON PAR WITH DOCTORS, ALSO BRINGS A LEVEL OF RESPECT INTO THE PROFESSION WHICH WE ARE STRUGGLING FOR TODAY.

>> Renee: AND ANDREW THERE IS A LOT TO CHEW ON.

PAYING TEACHERS MORE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT A DOCTOR IN FINLAND MAYBE MAKING AND DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE.

THE STANDARD OF LIVE UNWILLING A COUNTY MAYBE 30,000 IS DOABLE OPPOSED TO FAYETTE COUNTY WHERE THE STARTING SALARIES ARE HIGHER THAT WOULD NOT BE A LIVABLE WAGE.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH EDUCATION FUNDING?

WE HEARD REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TALK ABOUT RECORD LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AND HOW PERHAPS IT ISN'T TRANSLATING TO THE RESULTS THEY SHOULD BE SEEING.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATEMENTS FROM SPEAKER OSBORNE AND CHAIRMAN McDANIEL IT'S EASY TO SEE THAT THERE IS A SENSE OF FRUSTRATION, I BELIEVE.

I THINK THE FRUSTRATION IN THEIR REMARKS IS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEALS WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPETING DEMANDS UPON A LIMITED SET OF RESOURCES.

THE BUDGET IS AN ENORMOUS NUMBER, BUT THERE ARE A WIDE VARIETY OF NEEDS IN THIS STATE.

THAT EVERY TWO YEARS, ACTUALLY EVEN DURING THE INTERIM, VARIOUS GROUPS ARE COMING AND MAKING THEIR CASE FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING, NEW FUNDING.

AND THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, IS TO COMMIT TO STEADY INCREASES IN EDUCATIONAL FUNDING.

AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT EFFORT IS CONSISTENT FROM THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY, IT'S THANK YOU BUT WE NEED MORE.

AND AT TIMES, I ACTUALLY WANT TO GIVE QUITE A BIT OF CREDIT TO EDUCATION ADVOCATES IN THIS UP COMING SESSION BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT WHEN THE QUESTION HAS BEEN POSED, WHAT EXACTLY IS THE NUMBER?

WHAT IS THE FIGURE THAT WOULD FULLY FUND EDUCATION OR ADEQUATELY FUND EDUCATION?

THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME IN MY TIME IN FRANKFORT THAT THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER PRESENTED.

USUALLY IT'S WELL, WE NEED MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY GETTING.

SO THERE WAS A LOT TO UNPACK THERE.

WHEN YOU ARE THINKING OF STARTING SALARY OF $35,000, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY I WOULD ASSUME YOUR AVERAGE TEACHER BEGINNING THEIR CAREER IS IN THEIR MID-20s.

LOOK AT THE TOTAL PACKAGE OF COMPENSATION.

WHICH IS AND INCLUDES A REALLY SOLID HEALTHCARE PLAN, THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT THAT PENSION SYSTEM THE TEACHERS PENSION SYSTEM IS NOT TEETERING ON FINANCIAL INSOLVENCY HAS BEEN ENORMOUS.

WE ARE TALKING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION FROM OUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.

WHEN THEY ARE ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES AND MAKING NEW MASSIVE COMMITMENTS, BALANCING THE BUDGETS AS PART OF THAT.

EMBRACING SMART TAX POLICY AND PRO GROWTH TAX POLICY.

AND THEY CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS NICE, BUT IT JUST ISN'T ENOUGH.

AND SO I DON'T KNOW HOW WELL THIS MESSAGE IS GOING TO BE RECEIVED IF THAT IS ANY REFLECTION HOW THE CAUCUSES FEEL ABOUT THIS REQUEST.

SEEMS LIKE THERE'S GOING TO BE SKEPTICISM ABOUT EXACTLY THE AMOUNT OF THE REQUEST.

AND YOUR INITIAL QUESTION, RENEE, WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND I'M NOT SURE I HEARD OF SPECIFICS WHAT IS THAT MONEY GOING TO GO TO?

BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED IN MY OPINION TO QUIT FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING ON EDUCATION, TO WHAT IS THAT EDUCATION DOLLAR GOING TOWARDS?

WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE SPENDING ON?

WHAT STRATEGIES ARE WE ADOPTING TO ENSURE THE KIDS ARE GETTING INSTRUCTED PROPERLY IN THE CLASSROOM AND THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SCRUTINY ON THAT QUESTION AND MORE PRECISE ANSWERS PROVIDED.

>> Renee: Mr.

LAFONTAINE YOU ARE A CHARTER SCHOOL ADVOCATE AND THE SECOND PART OF OUR CONVERSATION ABOUT THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT WHO HEARD ARGUMENTS ABOUT THAT AND PERHAPS THERE WILL BE A RULING ON CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING.

WHEN YOU HEAR WHAT EDUCATION ADVOCATES ARE PROPOSING, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YES, SO I PICKED UP ON Dr.

CALDWELL'S COMMENTS ABOUT TEACHER PAY AND CERTAINLY TEACHERS SHOULD BE REWARDED FOR THE GREAT JOB THEY DO IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

COMPENSATION GOES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

SOMETHING THAT WE'VE INNOVATED AT OUR SCHOOL IS TAKE THAT TEACHER INTO ACCOUNT AND CREATE A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THEM.

WE START THAT WITH SMALL CLASS SIZES.

OUR CLASS SIZES ARE TWO-THIRDS OF THE STATE REQUIREMENT.

WE GIVE THEM A FULL PLANNING DAY.

NOT JUST SOME PLANNING TIME OR PLANNING BLOCK BEAUTIFUL PLANNING DAY IN THEIR WEEK THEY WORK FOUR OR FIVE DAYS SO THEY DON'T TAKE WORK HOME TO TRY TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF.

IT IS AN EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGING JOB AND I WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TEACHERS ON A DAILY BASIS.

AND THE COMPENSATION IS CERTAINLY AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT BUT THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO IN THE CLASSROOM THAT ARE INNOVATIVE THAT WILL SUPPORT THE TEACHERS TO SEE THAT THEIR JOB AND HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED IN THEIR COURSE WORK.

>> Renee: TELL US ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL.

IT IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> WE ARE A PRIVATE SCHOOL MADISON COUNTY IN OUR 15TH YEAR.

I GAINED A DEGREE FROM EKU AND MASTERS DEGREE AND I TAUGHT FOR A COUPLE YEARS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS.

AND THEN A DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN BROKE MY TEACHING SERVICE AND I DECIDED TO OPEN A PRE-K WITH WIFE AND FRIENDS AND WE'RE GROWN A GRADE AND CAPPED AT FIFTH GRADE AND PILOTING SIXTH GRADE STUFF RIGHT NOW.

AND WE SERVE ABOUT 175 STUDENTS THE THAT LOCATION.

AND PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE, AND WE DO NATURE SCHOOLS ONE IN LEXINGTON AND ONE IN MADISON COUNTY.

WE SERVE ABOUT 600 FAMILIES IN THE MAD TON COUNTY AREA.

AND WE SEEK TO INNOVATE AND BE AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR WHEN IT COMES TO BEST PRACTICES AND IT IS A FUN SETTING TO DO THAT AS AN EDUCATOR THAT IS ALL I WANTED TO BE ALWAYS IN MY LIFE AND TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN MY OWN LABORATORY WITH LIKE MINDED PEOPLE AND ONE DAY WE CAN EXPAND THAT WORK AND TO SERVE MORE FAMILIES.

>> Renee: AND THE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES ARE THE STUDENTS HIGH PERFORMING?

>> WE DON'T PARTICIPATE IN STATE TESTING.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU KNOW?

>> BY OUR INNER METRICS WE FEEL THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL.

IF THE PARENTS DO NOT FEEL THE CHILDREN ARE SUCCESSFUL THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO LEAVE AND THEY CAN EXERCISE THAT OPTION FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

I THINK OUR PARENTS ARE SATISFIED BECAUSE THEY OPT INTO OUR SYSTEM.

THEY MAKE AN INVESTMENT.

>> Renee: WE GOT A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH THINK TANK FOLKS BOTH FROM DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE IDEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE.

WE HAVE JASON BAILEY FROM THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY AND JIM WATERS FOR THE BLUEGRASS SOLUTIONS HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IF $718 MILLION ASK IS ON POINT?

>> STATE LAWMAKERS CUT PUBLIC SPENDING WHEN THE 2008 RECESSION HIT.

PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING HAS NOT REBOUNDED SINCE THEN SAYS JASON BAILEY IT.

WILL COST ABOUT 1.3 BILLION TO GET BACK TO THE LEVEL OF FUNDING WE HAD BACK THEN.

SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE CAN START.

AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THAT IT COULD SPEND $718 MILLION ON REDUCING THE INCOME TAX.

THEY'VE DONE IT THREE TIMES NOW JUST IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SO IF $718 MILLION CAN GO FOR TAX CUTS, THROUGH THREE ROUNDS NOW THEN SURELY ONE ROUND OF THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY COULD GO INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

>> BAILEY POINTS TO SPECIFIC FUNDING THAT DISAPPEARED IN RECENT YEARS.

>> AND THERE'S EARMARKED ITEMS LIKE FUNDING FOR TEXTBOOKS AND FUNDING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT GOT ZEROED OUT.

>> AND HE SAYS THE STATE IS NOT MEETING ITS STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO FULLY FUND TRANSPORTATION.

>> THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION HAS GONE WAY UP IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUY A BUS NOW AND HARDER TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN BUS DRIVERS WHO DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY THEY CAN MAKE MORE DRIVING FOR U.P.S.

OR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

IF WE CAN'T GET KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL THEN WE CAN'T HAVE SCHOOLS.

>> MUCH OF THE MONEY DISTRICTS RECEIVE IS FLEXIBLE AND LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS TO SET THEIR PRIORITIES SAYS JIM WATERS OF THE BLUEGRASS INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS.

>> THE LOCAL DISTRICTS HAVE GOTTEN PRETTY MUCH LUMP SUMS OF FUNDING TO DO WHAT THEY WISH TO DO WITH.

AND THAT'S, I THINK, AN ATTEMPT BY LAWMAKERS TO SAY THE LOCAL DISTRICTS YOU'RE THE BEST DETERMINER OF WHAT IS NEEDED IN YOUR DISTRICT.

YOU ARE THE BEST ONES TO DECIDE DO YOU NEED TO GIVE TEACHERS A RAISE?

DO YOU NEED CAPITAL PROJECTS?

DO YOU NEED OTHER PROGRAMS?

>> THE RECENT KY POLICY REPORT CALLS FOR FUNDING TO HIRE MORE STAFF.

SPECIFICALLY TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS AND COUNSELORS.

WATERS WORRIES DISTRICTS SPEND TOO MUCH ON POSITIONS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE'VE HAD A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE BUREAUCRACY AND PAYING NONTEACHING PERSONNEL WHAT KIND OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT DO MOST TAXPAYERS THINK THAT IS?

>> WATERS CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

HE POINTS TO FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHICH HAS DEPLETED ITS CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT.

>> BEFORE WE SPEND MORE DOLLARS ON K-12 EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY, WE NEED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY ON WHERE THE DOLLARS HAVE GONE.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

I WANT TO PICK UP THERE.

AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW, FAYETTE COUNTY THE SCHOOL BOARD IS MEETING PERHAPS THEY HAVE WRAPPED UP AT THE TIME OF OUR BROADCAST.

BUT THEY WERE MEETING TO DEAL WITH THE BUDGET DEFICIT OF $16 MILLION SHORTFALL AND THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATION TODAY IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA SPACE ABOUT THAT.

WE KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CALLS BY SOME HIGH RANKING STATE LAWMAKERS FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT, Dr.

DEMETRUS LIGGINS.

AND THE BOARD CHAIR TYLER MURPHY.

WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN THE BOARD MEETING TO KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE TO DEAL WITH THAT SHORTFALL, SUPERINTENDENT CLAYTON, WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE DOES IT SEND WHEN STATE LAWMAKERS CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF A DISTRICT LEVEL SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD CHAIR?

>> WELL, I THINK FIRST OF ALL IT SPEAKS TO THE TIMES WE'RE IN.

FOR LONG TIME, EDUCATION WAS NONPARTISAN.

AND THAT HAS COME AND GONE SO IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME THAT LAWMAKERS WOULD WEIGH-IN.

I THINK REALLY WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS THE LENS YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHEN YOU DISCUSS THE BUDGET, YOU DISCUSS HOW FUNDING HAS NOT KEPT UP.

AND REALLY WHAT WE TRY TO FOCUS IN ON ARE THE FACTS AND REALITY IS, WE'RE NOW LEANING MORE HEAVILY ON OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS FOR ENSURING THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO NOT JUST ONLY TRANSPORT STUDENTS BUT ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS.

I LOOK AT OUR LOCAL SITUATION JUST IN THE LAST DECADE OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED.

AND NONE OF THAT IS ADMINISTRATIVE.

IT'S ALL INTO THE CLASSROOMS.

SO THE NEEDS THAT WE SEE FROM OUR STUDENTS ARE VASTLY GREATER THAN WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST.

I LOOK AT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR A LONGTIME IT WAS NOT FUNDED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE'VE SEEN PROGRESS THERE.

WE ARE SPENDING $2.2 MILLION OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND ALL ON THE BACKS OF OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS PART OF THAT 24 MILLION.

TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, THAT IS AN INEQUITABLE EXPENSE ON EVERY DISTRICT.

WE HAVE 550 SQUARE MILES.

WE HAVE LED 24 MILLION OVER THE LAST DECADE OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND TO OFFSET WHAT IS BY STATUTE SUPPOSED TO BE 100% COVERED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WEIGH DID SEE SOME INCREASES THIS PAST YEAR AT 81% TO THE TUNE NOW WE'VE GONE NORTH OF 4 MILLION TO 2.5 MILLION OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND AGAIN ON THE BACKS OF OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS.

WE DON'T HAVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH THAT CAN CONTINUE TO ABSORB THAT HIT.

WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE EXPECTSES HAVE GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND THIS RECORD FUNDING TAKES INTO ACCOUNT DECADES OF UNDERFUNDING A VIABLE PENSION.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR VIEWERS TO KNOW THAT TRS IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST PENSION SYSTEMS IN AMERICA.

>> Renee: THE TEACHER RETIRE.

IT IS A FACT.

SO STRONG THAT IT'S BEEN ABLE TO WITHSTAND TWO DECADES PLUS OF UNDERFUNDING UNTIL OUR MOST RECENT LEGISLATORS DID STEP IN AND WE'RE APPRECIATIVE VERY THANKFUL.

THE COMMENT ABOUT NEEDING MORE, WELL, THE REALITY IS WE CAN'T GET BACK TO 2008.

AND IN 2008 IT WASN'T ADEQUATE.

AND NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INCREASED NEEDS.

I WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

EVERY STUDENT IS DIFFERENT TO EDUCATE IN TERMS OF EXPENSE.

IT'S MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE TO EDUCATE OUR SPECIAL POPULATIONS.

SOME DISTRICTS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER, SOME HAVE VERY FEW AND THAT IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT WHERE THE NEED IS AND THEN COMING TOGETHER AS A GROUP.

BECAUSE HERE IS THE REALITY FOR ALL OF US.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET BETTER OR THEY ARE GOING TO GET WORSE AND IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON US AS AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ENTIRE COMMONWEALTH TO VALUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S GREAT FOR ALL KIDS.

WE DON'T EDUCATE ALL STUDENTS BUT THERE IS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENTS IF NOT FOR US THERE WOULD BE NO ONE, NO HOME SCHOOL, NO PRIVATE SCHOOL THERE TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS AND GIVE THEM THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN AFFORDED.

AND THAT IS WHERE OUR PASSION COMES IN FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES WE JUST WANT THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE OKAY TO ENSURE WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND WE CAN START TALKING ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND TALKING ABOUT MORE TAX CUTS.

BUT UNTIL WE ENSURE THAT WE HAVE WHAT IS NECESSARY, IT'S GOING TO BE A CONTINUING THEME FROM ALL EDUCATORS WHO SEE DAY IN AND DAY OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Renee: Dr.

CALDWELL ABOUT A POINT WE HEARD JIM WATERS FROM THE BLUEGRASS INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS SAY ABOUT THE PAYING NONTEACHER PERSONNEL.

AND THERE IS A COMMON THREAD OR NARRATIVE THAT WE HEAR ABOUT BLOATED ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES.

PARTICULARLY IN YOUR TWO LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS JEFFERSON COUNTY AND FAYETTE COUNTY.

SPEAK TO US ABOUT THAT AND IS THAT A TRUE ASSESSMENT THAT NONTEACHING PERSONNEL ARE COMPENSATED AT HIGHER DISPROPORTIONATE LEVELS THAN THE CERTIFIED TEACHING PERSONNEL.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THAT IS ACTUALLY A TOPIC WE LOOKED AT LAST YEAR AND AGAIN THIS YEAR, MOST RECENTLY BECAUSE WE HEAR THAT QUITE A BIT.

BUT WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE VERY OEA DATA THAT -- >> Renee: OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY YOU DON'T SEE THOSE TYPES OF NUMBERS.

OFTEN WHAT HAPPENS IS IF I'M NOT A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR A DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC SCHOOL FUNCTION PERHAPS I'M SERVING ALL OF THE SCHOOLS BUT, YET I'M TAGGED WITH MAYBE A DISTRICT OFFICE LEVEL POSITION, BUT I TRULY AM SERVING ALL CHILDREN WITHIN THE DISTRICT OR I MIGHT BE ALLOCATED TO ONE, TWO OR THREE SCHOOLS, THESE NUMBERS CAN OFTEN GET CONFUSING.

BUT THE BLOAT IS JUST NOT THERE.

WE ARE NOT SEEING IT IN THE NUMBERS.

WE ARE NOT SEEING IT WHEN WE TALK WITH OUR DISTRICTS SKRAOS THE -- ACROSS THE STATE.

WE CAN LOOK AT DISTRIBUTES ON THE SMALLER SIDE WHERE THE SUPERINTENDENTS ARE DRIVING SCHOOL BUSES AND COVERING CLASSROOMS ON A REGULAR BASIS AS WELL ASPIRINS.

IT'S ALL RESOURCES ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> IF YOU HAVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE SUPERINTENDENT IS DRIVING A SCHOOL BUS, THERE IS A SERIOUS QUESTION OF THE VIABILITY OF THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE DO HAVE 173, 175 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> Renee: 171.

>> IN A STATE WITH 120 COUNTIES.

BUT, RENEE, THERE'S ACTUALLY A STRONG BODY OF RESEARCH FROM STANFORD UNIVERSITY, THAT TEASES OUT THIS QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A CLEAR CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCREASING FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AND THAT NECESSARILY LEADING TO HIGHER STUDENT OUTCOMES.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE BASE.

CLEARLY YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FOUNDATIONAL LEVEL OF FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS CAN OPERATE AND PROVIDE A SETTING THAT ALLOWS FOR TEACHING AND EDUCATION TO OCCUR.

BUT I WANT TO GET BACK TO THIS POINT OF HOW FUNDS ARE SPENT IS ACTUALLY MORE CRITICAL THAN HOW MUCH IS SPENT.

AND WE SEE THIS IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY THROUGH LITERACY.

KENTUCKY IS NOT ALONE.

MOST STATES ARE FACED WITH THE FACT THAT A VERY SMALL NUMBER SMALL PERCENTAGE IN KENTUCKY IT'S THREE OUT OF 10 KENTUCKY STUDENTS CAN TEST PROFICIENTLY ON THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS, NAEP FOR MINORITY STUDENTS THAT NUMBER IS MUCH LOWER.

AND WHAT WE HAVE FOUND OR WHAT DID THE COURIER-JOURNAL FIND A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN THEY DID AN INVESTIGATION OF THE STRATEGIES BEHIND HOW TO TEACH A YOUNG CHILD TO READ.

AND WHAT THEY DISCOVERED WAS THAT IT'S BECOMING CLEAR IT HAS BEEN CLEAR TO OTHER STATES LIKE MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA, THAT'S GOOD OLD-FASHIONED PHONICS IS THE BEST WAY TO TEACH A CHILD HOW TO READ.

THE STATE HAD BEEN CONTRACTING THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT COLLABORATIVE CENTER FOR LITERACY, I BELIEVE, THAT WAS PROMOTING A MODEL CALLED READING RECOVERY, THAT SIMPLY WASN'T ADEQUATE.

IT WASN'T CAPABLE OF SETTING THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A CHILD TO BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO READ AT GRADE LEVEL.

AND THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN AT AS A MATTER OF FACT, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IF NOT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAD BEEN SPENT ON A STRATEGY THAT WAS INCAPABLE OF DELIVERING RESULTS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFTER WORKING TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM, HAS NOW BEGUN TO EMPHASIZE GOING BACK TO THE BASICS, GOING BACK TO PHONICS, AND THAT'S THE TYPE OF CONVERSATION THAT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE ACROSS THE BOARD.

WHICH IS WHERE ARE THESE DOLLARS GOING CURRENTLY?

WHAT MODELS ARE BEING EMPLOYED TO REACH CHILDREN?

AND BEFORE WE GET INTO A QUESTION OF MORE MONEY, LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS THE MONEY IS CURRENTLY BEING SPENT ON, WHY IT'S TAKING SO LONG TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING AS CRITICAL AS THE USE OF PHONICS AS OPPOSED TO A READING RECOVERY APPROACH, AND SEE IF WE CAN DRIVE RESULTS BY FOCUSING WHERE OUR MONEY IS SPENT, HOW IT IS SPENT, BUILD SOME CONFIDENCE AROUND THAT AND THEN PERHAPS AT SOME POINT WE DO SERIOUSLY BEGIN TO HAVE THE QUESTION OF IS MORE MONEY NECESSARY?

OR CAN WE MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE CURRENT SET OF RESOURCES IN PLACE.

>> Renee: AND WE KNOW THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY READ TO SUCCEED ACT AND WE HAVE DONE PROGRAMS ABOUT THAT THE SCIENCE OF READING WHICH IS THE PHONICS APPROACH HAS BEEN ADOPTED AND YOU HAVE TO TRAIN TEACHERS TO TEACH THAT WAY TO TEACH READING IN A WAY THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DOING AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE RESOURCES AS WELL.

IF YOU HAVE A WHOLE NEW MECHANICS OF HOW YOU ARE DOING IT, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.

THEY HAVE TO BE TRAINED HOW TO TEACH KIDS TO READ.

Mr.

LAFONTAINE TO YOU BEFORE WE TALK AND TIME GETS AWAY BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS WHEN YOU HEAR THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MORE MONEY, TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS BEING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, DO YOU THINK IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT?

OR DO YOU THINK THAT PERHAPS YOU FOLKS LIKE YOU SHOULD GET A BIGGER PIECE OF THAT PIE?

>> YEAH, LET ME START OFF BY SAYING I'M IN NO POSITION TO COMMENT WITH ANY KIND OF PROFICIENCY ABOUT HOW PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS SPEND THEIR MONEY.

I'VE NEVER WORKED IN THOSE OFFICES AND I DON'T MANAGE THE BUDGETS.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS PERSON WHO WORKS IN SCHOOLS WE HAVE TO STRETCH A DOLLAR INTO 10.

WE HAVE TO THREAD THIS NEEDLE OF KEEPING OUR TUITION AS LOW AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE TO FAMILIES AND ALSO PAY OUR TEACHERS AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THEM AND STUDENTS CAN SUCCEED IN.

>> Renee: ARE YOUR SALARIES COMPETITIVE WITH THE COST OF LIVING?

>> WE AIM FOR 90% OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SO WE THINK THAT'S COMPETITIVE COMBINED WITH THE THINGS I MENTIONED LIKE SMALLER CLASS SIZES AND GENEROUS PLANNING TIME.

BUT I KNOW WE HAVE TO MAKE PAYROLL.

AND THAT IS A LOT OF PRESSURE.

AND WE HAVE TO MEET OUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO PERSONALLY.

I AM A PERSON GUARANTOR ON MANY THINGS.

AND IT IS A LOT OF PRESSURE THAT CREATES A LOT OF CREATIVE THINKING TO STRETCH THAT DOLLAR INTO 10.

SOME OF THE PRESSURES I'M NOT TRYING TO SAY THAT OUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DO NOT FACE THE PRESSURES.

NOT AT ALL.

BUT I CAN SPEAK TO THE WAY THE PRESSURES CREATE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR US TO STRETCH A DOLLAR INTO 10.

>> Renee: WE HAVE VIEWER COMMENTS THAT WE'LL SHARE.

THIS FROM AN UNNAMED VIEWER TEACHER VACANCIES ARE A HUGE PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IN MATH AND SCIENCE THEY ARE FILLED WITH PERMANENT SUBSTITUTES I'VE GIVEN UP MY PLANNING PERIOD TO TEACH AN EXTRA CLASS.

TEACHERS NEED TO EARN A LIVING WAGE SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE A SECOND JOB AND YOU MENTIONED THIS.

SUPERINTENDENT CLAYTON ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> AGAIN, I THINK IT IS A MATTER OF THE LENS YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

AND NUMBER OF QUESTIONS WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES... IS THE TEACHING PROFESSION A MIDDLE CLASS PROFESSION?

FOR IT'S IT'S YES OR NO.

AND IF THE ANSWER IS YES YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF IS THE PROFESSION BEING COMPENSATED COMMENSURATE WITH THE MIDDLE CLASS.

>> Renee: IN WARREN COUNTY DO YOU FEEL IT IS A MIDDLE CLASS PROFESSION?

>> I THINK IT IS AN UPPER CLASS PROFESSION BUT FOR THE SAKE OF ANALOGY LET'S CALL IT MIDDLE CLASS PROFESSION AND THE NEXT QUESTION IS SHOULD IT BE COMPLICATED COMMENSURATE WITH THAT?

AND AGAIN THAT ANSWER WOULD BE YES BUT IN REALITY IT'S NOT AND WE FOR THAT.

LOOK AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE POSITIONS NOW, LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A DECADE AGO LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION PROFESSION COMMENSURATE NOW THE GAP IS SIGNIFICANT.

WHY IS THAT?

THERE WAS A CRUNCH AND WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY OUR COMMUNITIES DEMANDED THAT IT BE ADDRESSED AND OUR GOVERNOR DID.

AND THEY DESERVE IT AND THEY DESERVE MORE.

BUT, AGAIN, YOU ARE SEEING THAT GAP.

YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF DO WE WANT OUR TEACHERS WORKING A SECOND JOB DURING THE SKAL YEAR?

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT DURING THE SUMMER WHEN THEY HAVE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS WHERE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE IN SCHOOL WORKING WITH STUDENTS.

ALTHOUGH MANY OF OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST CONTINUE TO PLAN AND PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

AND, AGAIN, A SIMPLE QUESTION: DO WE THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE?

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO ASK YOURSELF ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT IN CATCHING UP?

OR TALKING ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT THAT IS COMMENSURATE WITH THE PEERS.

WHEN THE REALITY IS MORE THAN HALF OUR STUDENTS COME TO US NOT PREPARED FOR SCHOOL.

LIVING IN ONE OF THE HIGHEST POVERTY STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHAT RESULTS WOULD YOU EXPECT?

GIVEN THAT THAT'S THE INGREDIENTS AND THE REALITY IS WE DO A TREMENDOUS JOB ACROSS THIS COMMONWEALTH IN ENSURING THAT STUDENTS CONTINUE TO PROGRESS BUT OUR CHALLENGE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THIS IS HOW DO WE MOVE A STUDENT THAT IS TWO, THREE, GRADE LEVELS BEHIND COMMENSURATE WITH YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER?

THAT IS WHAT WE TRY TO DO.

WHEN I LOOK AT JUST THE MOST RECENT EXPENSES WITH OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION POPULATION, THEY ARE HIGH NEEDS.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE STUDENTS HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE WOULD WANT IF THAT WAS OUR SON OR DAUGHTER.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH ARE FINDING WAYS TO TRY TO MITIGATE THOSE FUNDING CHALLENGES.

BUT IN SOME CASES IT'S INSURMOUNTABLE FOR MANY DISTRICTS AND THAT IS WHO WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT ARE THE STUDENTS LEFT BEHIND IF WE DON'T INVEST IN EDUCATION AND THE STATISTICS ARE CLEAR.

YOU INVEST NOW OR LATER.

WHAT WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR IS LET'S INVEST NOW.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THERE IS NOBODY THAT DISPUTES THAT THAT IS NOT FULLY FUNDED IN OUR COMMONWEALTH THAT IS THE QUESTION RIGHT THERE.

I WILL SAY IT ONE MORE TIME.

NO ONE IS IN DISPUTE HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.

BUT, YET, WE'RE NOT RECOGNIZING IT AS A COMMONWEALTH.

IT IS A PROBLEM.

>> Renee: I WONDER, THOUGH, IS EVERYBODY IN A CONSENSUS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY LEARNING?

AND THE PAY FORS FOR IT WHO SHOULD PAY FOR IT AND HOW MUCH?

>> WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNIZES THERE ARE BENEFITS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO CAN ACCESS IT, I THINK IN TERMS OF HOW TO GO ABOUT THAT, AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HAS IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS BEEN PROPOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE IS WORTHY OF DEBATE.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT WITH GUS AND OTHERS, I PARTICIPATED IN THE KENTUCKY CHAMBERS PROCESS TO LOOK AT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HAD INPUT ON THE DISCUSSION AND THE REPORT.

THAT SEEMED TO FIND IT SOUGHT AND I BELIEVE FOUND SOME REALLY MORE PRACTICAL STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN THAT CAN IMPROVE THAT ECOSYSTEM IN A WAY THAT IS TARGETED TOWARDS SEEING MEANINGFUL RESULTS.

BUT ALSO, NOT ESSENTIALLY CREATING A STATE SUBSIDIZED SYSTEM FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

SO IF THE CONVERSATION IS TARGETED, IT'S FOCUSED, WE ARE WORKING WITH PARTNERS LIKE GUS' ORGANIZATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT CAN DELIVER QUALITY INPUTS FOR THOSE YOUNG CHILDREN, I'VE NEVER DISPUTED THE VALUE OF IT.

EXACTLY HOW TO GO ABOUT IT AND WHAT THE EXPENSE LOOKS LIKE HAS BEEN WORTHY OF DEBATE.

AND WE'VE BEEN POUD TO RAISE THOSE QUESTIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE DEBATE HAPPENED.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION A PIVOT FROM WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS QUESTION FROM MASON COUNTY, A STATEMENT WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION WHO WE VOTE FOR ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SCHOOL BOARD?

AND WHO IS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD?

Dr.

CALDWELL?

>> I WILL RESPOND BASED 0 ON MY OWN COMMUNITY.

THE SCHOOL BOARD IS SO IMPORTANT THOSE ARE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO PROVIDE COUNSEL AND OVERSIGHT TO OUR SUPERINTENDENTS TO OUR DISTRICTS.

THEY PLAN OUR BUDGETS AND THEY ALLOCATE OUR SPENDING.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, AS A LOCAL COMMUNITY, THEY DETERMINE WHAT THAT SCHOOL COMMUNITY SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE.

AND ACTUALLY WHAT LEARNING LOOKS LIKE BY THE TIME A STUDENT GRADUATES.

AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS AND SUPPORTS IN MATERIALS OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE COMPLETE EDUCATION PROCESS.

BUT OUR SCHOOL BOARD THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WE GO TO THE BALLOT AND WE CAST OUR VOTES FOR THEM.

PAUSE WE BELIEVE -- BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THEY ARE WELL POSITIONED TO LEAD OUR DESCRIPTION.

AND WE TALK A LOT ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE THE LOCAL CONTROL MAKING ALL OF THESE DECISIONS ABOUT HOW DOLLARS ARE SPENT, HOW THEY ARE DIRECTED AND I KNOW THEY STRUGGLE AND GRAPPLE BECAUSE JUST LIKE OUR LEGISLATURE, THEY HAVE A CERTAIN ALLOCATION OF FUNDING AND THERE ARE MORE NEEDS THAN WE COULD EVER BEGIN TO ADDRESS.

>> Renee: TO YOUR POINT SUPERINTENDENT CLAYTON ABOUT HOW THE LOCAL TAXES ARE GOING DISPROPORTIONATELY MORE TO HELP YOUR SCHOOLS IN YOUR DISTRICT THAN STATE.

BUT MANY PEOPLE SAY HOME RULE WORKS BOTH WAYS WHY SHOULDN'T THE LOCAL COMMUNITY PAY FOR WHAT THEY WANT EDUCATIONALLY?

>> AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK AT THE SEEK FORMULA.

BECAUSE THE REALITY IS WARREN COUNTY SCHOOLS SOME OF YOUR TAXES IS GOING ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH TO LIFT UP OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WE DO THAT WITH PRIDE.

WE GET IT.

WE UNDERSTAND WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE CRITICAL.

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL IN EITHER SUPPORTING AND HELPING IMPROVE OR IN SOME CASES, THEY CAN HOLD YOU BACK.

AND I'VE BEEN BLESSED FOR 13 YEARS TO HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT IS SOLELY FOCUSED ON WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS.

THEY SHOW THAT WITH THEIR VOTES BUT IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES LIKE ALL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH WHEN THEY RAISE THAT PROPERTY TAX BECAUSE THEY SEE THE DISINVESTMENT COMING FROM FRANKFORT.

AND AGAIN THESE ARE FACTS.

THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

SO IT'S UP TO THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH THE COMMUNITY, TO HELP OFFSET THAT SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE.

I WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE, RENEE.

1.8 MILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO FUND OUR SRO PROGRAM.

>> Renee: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO GET ONE IN EVERY SCHOOL THE SIGN OF THE TIMES.

THEY PROVIDE A TREMENDOUS VALUE BEYOND WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK OF IN TERMS OF THE SECURITY.

THEY BUILD STRONG POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STUDENTS AND HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE SCHOOL CULTURE BUT AT A COST.

AND WE'RE FUNDING THAT COMPLETELY.

AND NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE ALL ON WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE NOW HAVE A NURSE IN EVERY SCHOOL.

THAT IS ANOTHER EXPENSE.

AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS HAVE RISEN, THE RESOURCES WE'RE PROVIDING LOCALLY WITH THE DECISION MAKES HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, WHO HAS PAID THE PRICE?

I WILL TELL YOU IT'S OUR STAFF.

WE ARE 82% OF OUR OPERATIONAL BUDGET IS FOR STAFFING.

BUT THE REALITY IS WE MOVED OUR STARTING SALARY TO NORTH OF 45,000 BUT 13%, 13% OF THOSE SALARIES GOES TOWARD THAT RETIREMENT THAT PENSION THAT NOW HAS BEEN CHANGED FOUR TIMES IN MY CAREER.

AND EACH TIME, THE BENEFITS ON THE BACK END HAVE BEEN DECREASED WITHOUT ANY INPUTS ON THE FRONT END.

AND I SAT IN FRANKFORT AND MENTIONED FROM THE BEGINNING IF YOU ARE GOING TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM YOU HAVE TO GIVE THESE FOLKS SOMETHING ON THE FRONT END LIKE YOU WOULD SEE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

ASK ANY PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESS PERSON AND IF THEY HAVE A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE THEY WILL RAISE THE PAY 100%.

100%.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE GOT TO HAVE THE FUNDING.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT FUNDING IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

I MENTIONED THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT IS CONSIDERING CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING AND THIS DATES BACK A WHILE 2017 CHARTER SCHOOLS WERE LEGALIZED AND 2022 WHEN THERE WAS A HOUSE BILL 9 THAT PROVIDED THE FUNDING FOR THAT AND IT'S BEEN HUNG UP IN THE COURTS FOR SOMETIME.

YOU WOULD APPLY TO CONVERT YOUR SCHOOL THAT IS A PRIVATE TUITION BASED SCHOOL TO A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THAT WOULD BE TUITION FREE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT AND YOU ARE ALSO OF COURSE APPELLATE IN THIS CASE JUST AS Mr.

CLAYTON WITH THE COUNCIL FOR BETTER EDUCATION WE HAVE THE TWO IN THE KNOW TALKING ABOUT THIS TONIGHT.

WHY WHAT IS IT I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT THE SUPREME COURT TO DO BUT WHY IS IT SO CRITICAL THAT IT BE DONE?

>> I MENTIONED EARLIER ALL I'VE WANTED TO DO IS BE AN EDUCATOR.

AND GOING INTO THAT PROFESSION HAS BEEN SO REWARDING.

AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

AND I LOVE THE JOB I HAVE RIGHT NOW SO MUCH.

BUT THE ONLY THING THAT I WISH COULD BE DIFFERENT ABOUT THE JOB I HAVE NOW WOULD BE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ALL THE FAMILIES AT THAT TIME WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL THAT WE'VE BUILT.

AND CHARTER SCHOOLS COULD BE A METHOD TO ALLOW THAT.

AND INCREASE ACCESS FOR MORE FAMILIES THAT WANT TO EXERCISE CHOICE OVER THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHY I AM INVOLVED IN THIS CASE AT THE SUPREME COURT.

IT'S WHY WE'VE BUILT OUR SCHOOL AS WE HAVE FOR THE MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS NOW HOPING ONE DAY WE COULD OFFER IT TO MORE FAMILIES.

AND IT'S WHY I'M HOPEFUL WE FIND SUCCESS AT THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

>> Renee: YOU KNOW THE ARGUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT THEY HAVE LESS ACCOUNTABILITY THEY DON'T HAVE TO PLAY BY THE SAME RULES WITH CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION EVEN WHO THEY ACCEPT.

WHAT YOUR PREPARATORY SCHOOL TAKE ON KIDS THAT MAYBE HAVE HIGHER NEEDS WHETHER SPECIAL NEEDS OR UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS THAT HAVE STRUGGLES IN ACADEMIC AREAS?

>> YES, AS A MATTER OF FACT LAW WOULD DICTATE THAT WE SERVE ALL POPULATION.

AS AN EDUCATOR I WOULD WANT TO SERVE THAT GROUP.

WE CURRENTLY SERVE THAT GROUP IN OUR PRIVATE SCHOOL AND THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO COME TO THE SCHOOL BECAUSE WE HAVE SMALL CLASS SIZES AND SPECIALIZE IN CERTAIN AREAS.

AND WE CAN PULL THEM OUT MORE THAN THEY WOULD IN OUR COUNTERPART SCHOOLS.

I WOULD REALLY ENJOY TO SERVE MORE OF THAT POPULATION AND MORE OF A WIDER VARIETY OF A DEMOGRAPHIC IN MADISON COUNTY.

>> Renee: THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STUDIES THAT SAY THAT STATES THAT DO HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS MOST OF THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS WHO SEND THEIR KIDS WERE ALREADY PART OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND IT IS A TAX BREAK FOR THEM.

REFUTE THAT IF YOU WILL?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I WORK WITH FAMILIES RIGHT NOW THAT AREN'T OF THAT DEMOGRAPHIC THAT YOU DESCRIBED.

AND THEY WANT NOTHING MORE FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAN TO HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION THAT THEY DEEM POSSIBLE.

AND THERE ARE MORE FAMILIES LIKE THAT OUT THERE THAT ARE ANXIOUS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

I AM A BELIEVER IN THOSE PARENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME STATUS.

I KNOW THAT A PARENT'S LOVE TRANSCENDS SO MUCH OF THAT AND I WORK WITH THE FAMILIES THAT WANT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND SO, AGAIN, CHARTER SCHOOLS COULD BE A METHOD TO BRING THAT INTO KENTUCKY.

WE'RE ONE OF THE ONLY STATES REMAIN THAT DOESN'T HAVE IT EVERY STATE THAT TOUCHES KENTUCKY HAS ROBUST CHARTER SCHOOLS.

I'M EXCITED AT THE PROSPECT THAT KENTUCKY FAMILIES COULD HAVE THOSE SAME OPTIONS THAT OTHER STATES HAVE; IS THAT CORRECT AT THE HEART OF THIS DISCUSSION, IS THIS WHOLE IDEA OF THE COMMON SCHOOL, THE CONSTITUTION'S DEFINITION OF A COMMON SCHOOL.

WHAT IS THAT?

SUPERINTENDENT CLAYTON OR Dr.

CALDWELL WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT AND THE CRUX OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT WE HAVE SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE?

>> WELL, OUR FORMER LEADERS REALIZED THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERY STUDENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO HAVE ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION.

SO THAT'S THE PREMISE BEHIND THE WHOLE PIECE.

BUT WHEN WE START LOOKING AT THE CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING WHEN WE MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WE'RE NOT RECEIVING ADEQUATE FUNDING RIGHT NOW, MY QUESTION WOULD BE FOR ANY CHARTER ADVOCATE AND THAT IS IF YOU TOOK OVER WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TOMORROW WHERE WOULD YOU FIND THE 13.5 MILLION DOLLARS THAT IS BEING PROVIDED BY OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF EDUCATING OUR SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION?

WHERE WOULD YOU FIND THE $4 MILLION TO EDUCATE OUR EL POPULATION.

THE 2.3 MILLION OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND TO TRANSPORT THESE STUDENTS.

AND THE ANSWER IS YOU WON'T.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT THERE.

SO THEY WON'T BE EDUCATED IN THESE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FROM THE OTHER STATES, THESE ARE FACTS, YOU CAN LOOK AT WHO WAS IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND WHO HAS MOVED TO A CHARTER AND BACK AND FORTH IT'S NOT SPECULATION AND WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS THE SAME STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DO NOT FIND THEMSELVES THE VAST MAJORITY IN THESE PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

IT IS A FACT.

AGAIN IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE DEBATED.

DO PEOPLE CAN STUDENTS HAVE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES IN SCHOOL?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE STUDENTS BEING SUCCESSFUL IN A VARIETY OF AREAS.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GREATER GOOD FOR THE COMMONWEALTH AND EDUCATING ALL STUDENTS, THE REALITY IS WE NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEFORE WE ENTERTAIN FUNDING OTHER MECHANISMS THAT, AGAIN, WILL NOT BE SERVING THE TOTAL POPULATION.

IT IS A FACT.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT KENTUCKY VOTERS A COUPLE YEARS AGO VOTED ON THIS AND TWO-THIRDS STATE-WIDE REJECTED CONSTITUTION AT AMENDMENT NUMBER 2 THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR THIS PUBLIC FUNDING TO GO TOWARD THESE SCHOOLS.

SO THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN SHOULD THE SUPREME COURT FOLLOW SUIT?

>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS A DIFFERENT MANDATE IN TERMS OF INTERPRETING A STATUTE ON THE BOOKS AND WHETHER OR NOT IT IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

AS YOU SAID WE MAY HAVE AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION SOMETIME IN THE COMING MONTHS PERHAPS BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

I WAS IN GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN'S ADMINISTRATION IN 2017 WHEN THIS CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION WAS PUT TOGETHER.

I WAS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED.

BUT I WATCHED PEOPLE LIKE REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY, EDUCATION SECRETARY HAL BEHINDER, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION WAYNE LEWIS, VERY DEDICATED, VERY CONSCIENTIOUS PEOPLE, TRYING TO CRAFT ABSOLUTELY THE BEST POSSIBLE STRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT THERE BE ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT THERE WOULD BE OPEN DOORS AND OPPORTUNITY.

SO I'M CERTAINLY HOPING THAT THE SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AND WE CAN START SEEING THAT OPTION AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES.

QUICKLY, I WANT TO BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EXPERIENCE WITH UNFUNDED MANDATES.

IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS GOING TO MANDATE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS UPON OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THEY SHOULD PUT THE MONEY BEHIND IT.

SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS A LEGITIMATE REASON TO RAISE THOSE QUESTIONS AND TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

>> Renee: WELL, TIME GETS AWAY FROM US WAY TOO QUICKLY ON THIS PROGRAM.

AND CERTAINLY IT IS AN ISSUE WE WILL REVISIT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION.

THE WELLNESS SHIFT KET FORUM JOIN US FOR THAT PROGRAM.

AND WE HAVE "KENTUCKY EDITION" EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 TO KEEP YOU INFORMED AND CONNECTED.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT.

TAKE GOOD CARE.