♪ ♪ >> SCHOOL GOVERNANCE, CURRICULUM DECISIONS AND TEACHING HISTORY IN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS, THOSE EDUCATION ISSUES DOMINATE ACTION IN THE STATE CAPITOL ON DAY 53 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TONIGHT.

I AM RENEE SHAW.

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE TUITION FREE SCHOOLS THAT ARE CREATED BY CONTRACT WITH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, AND MANY BELIEVE THEY BETTER SERVE STUDENTS FAILED BY TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTINGS.

IT'S A MIXED BAG ON THEIR ACADEMIC TRACK RECORD, BUT A HIGH RANKING HOUSE LEADER SAYS THE PUBLIC OUTCRY FROM PARENTS DURING PANDEMIC FOR AN ALTERNATIVE EL STRAITS NEED FOR THEIR FUNDING.

BARDSTOWN REPUBLICAN CHAD MCCOY SAID RECENT STUDIES SHOW THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS BENEFIT LOW-INCOME MINORITY STUDENTS AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO NARROW RACIAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAPS.

BUT STAUNCH CRITICS CLAIM THEY WILL STRIP FUNDING FROM TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN 2017, THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGALIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE STATE, BUT A PERMANENT FUNDING MECHANISM WASN'T ESTABLISHED.

HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP CHAD MCCOY'S HOUSE BILL 9 MANDATES CHARTER SCHOOL PILOT PROJECTS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND LOUISVILLE AND CODIFIES A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR THEM.

AS ESTABLISHED IN THE 2017 LAW, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS WOULD CONTINUE TO AUTHORIZE CHARTER SCHOOLS AND APPEALS WOULD GO TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE KDE IS ALSO CHARGED WITH GIVING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHARTERS IF THEY NEED IT.

UNDER HOUSE BILL 9, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS AND DISTRICTS WITH STUDENT ENROLLMENT OF LESS THAN 7,500 WOULD BE ABLE TO VETO OR REJECT CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS.

SECOND THING THIS BILL DOES IT PUTS IN PLACE STATUTORY TOMORROW THE FUNDING MODEL, THE SAME ONE WE ALREADY PASSED IN A BUDGET YEARS AGO AND THE SAME ONE IN HOUSE BILL 63 FROM LAST YEAR BUT JUST CLARIFIES THE MONEY FOLLOWS THE KIT.

THAT'S ALL IT DOES.

..

SO REALLY, NO REAL CHANGES TO THE EXISTING LAW.

UNTIL YOU GET PART THREE OF THE BILL.

PART 3 AS I LISTEN TO EVERYBODY WHO CAME AND TALKED TO ME AND REPRESENTATIVE TALKED TO ME A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE SUPERINTENDENTS TALKED ME MORE THAN A COUPLE OF TIMES, EVERYBODY KEPT SAYING, WELL, WHY CAN'T WE JUST DO A PILOT PROJECT?

WHY CAN'T WE JUST DO THIS?

WHY CAN'T -- SO FINE, I SAID LET'S DO IT.

SO WE ARE GOING TO DO A PILOT PROJECT AND THE WAY WE DRAFTED THERE IS, TWO DIFFERENT PILOT PROJECTS, ONE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, AND ONE WHICH WILL BE ULTIMATELY IN LOUISVILLE IS WHERE IT WOULD END UP.

AND ON THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY ONE, JUST SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS, WE SAY THE AUTHORIZER ONLY FOR THE PILOT PROJECT, NOT ON AN ONGOING BASIS, COULD BE NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY.

AND ACTUALLY IN ONE DRAFT I HAD IT, THAT IT WOULD BE NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, BUT WE WORKED WITH CARMEN AND THEIR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LADY AND SHE ASKED THAT WE MAKE IT PERMISSIVE AND THAT IS WHAT WE DID.

THAT'S THE CHANGE IN THE COMMITTEE SUBUSE HERE.

THIS IS THE SAME BILL THAT HAS BEEN OUT THIS THE PUBLIC FOR MORE THAN A WEEK NOW.

THE ONLY CHANGE IN THE COMMITTEE SUBTODAY HAS TO DO WITH THAT NORTHERN KENTUCKY PART.

>> LEXING KENTUCKY, TIMFARMERSCOUNTRYKITCHEN.COM BELIEVES THEY ARE OVER SELLING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, TIMONEY CITED A NEW ZEALAND EDUCATION SCHOLAR WHO RESEARCHED THEIR IMPACT AND FIND THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS DON'T MAKE THE GRADE.

>> HE HAS THINGS IN THERE RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION, INTERVENTION FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING NEEDS AND HAS THEM IN RANK ORDER AND IF YOU GO TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM HE SAYS THE STANDARD DEVIATION .12 WOULD BE A STUDENT JUST SITTING THERE EXISTING IN NATURE, AND HE HAS GOT CHARTER AT .09.

AS FAR AS EFFECTIVENESS.

AND CHOICE IS SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF THAT AT .11.

SO MY CONCERN IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO AGAIN COME TO THE TABLE, COME TO THE EDUCATION TABLE, UPSET THE APPLE CART GET A LOT OF TEACHERS UPSET ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS FOR SOMETHING THAT STATISTICALLY THERE IS NOT REALLY A HUGE UPSIDE.

>> SEVERAL EDUCATORS SOUNDED OFF AGAINST THE MEASURE.

JULIA PILE IS CHAIR OF THE BOONE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND A FORMER CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.

SALLY SUGG, SUPERINTENDENT OF SHELBY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IS A 40 YEAR EDUCATOR AND ADMINISTRATOR AT STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS WHO'S WORKED IN PREDOMINANTLY LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS.

THEY BOTH WARNED OF NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES TO COME, AND UPWARD LAWMAKERS TO RETHINK THE IDEA OF PERMANENTLY FUNDING CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> IRRELEVANT HAD RESIGNATION I GOT THROUGH AN E-MAIL LAST NIGHT THROUGH A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER EFFECTIVE APRIL 11.

HE IS NOT LEAVING TO GO TO JEFFERSON COUNTY, WHICH PAYS MORE.

I AM RIGHT ON THE BORDER OF JEFFERSON COUNTY AND WE FIGHT THAT ALL THE TIME.

HE IS LEAVING EDUCATION.

THAT'S THE SECOND RESIGNATION I RECEIVED THIS WEEK.

EACH WEEK, IT LOOKS ABOUT THE SAME.

AND ALL OF MY FELLOW SUPERINTENDENTS THAT ARE HERE I THINK WILL ATTEST TO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

THEY ARE NOT LEAVING FOR THE REASONS YOU WOULD THINK.

THEIR REASONS ARE THE WAR ON EDUCATION, THE WAR ON TEACHERS, AND THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THEM FEELING DOWNTRODDEN AND BEATEN UP AFTER TWO YEARS OF BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT TO NOT ONLY OUR STUDENTS BUT FEEDING OUR FAMILIES DURING THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC.

>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN ABOUT THIS BILL IS THE REALM OF FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT OF THE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I LEVY TAXES ON OUR CONSTITUENTS AND I AM RESPONSIBLE TO THEM AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN THIS CHARTER SCHOOL BILL THERE SNOT FISCAL OVERSIGHT, THE FUNDS TRANSFER TO AN ORGANIZATION OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, WHERE THEY ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY TAXPAYERS WHO ELECT THEM.

THERE IS AN, THERE IS NOT OVERSIGHT, THERE IS NOT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> EDUCATION COMMITTEE COCHAIR STEVE RILEY CAST A NO VOTE OVER CONCERNS ABOUT CONSTITUTIONALITY AND OVERSIGHT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

DEMOCRAT LISA WILLNER REGISTERED HER OBJECTIONS TO THE BILL AS WELL, AND CRITICIZED REPUBLICANS FOR WHAT SHE CALLED POLITICAL CHESS MOVES THAT GOT THE BILL ENOUGH VOTES TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUNDING MECHANISM OF.

THIS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PEOPLE MUCH MORE EXPERTS THAN I AM IN SCHOOL FINANCING THAT THIS IS PROBABLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

I THINK THERE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A LAWSUITS FILED IN THAT REGARD.

AND I REALLY DON'T WANT US TO GO THROUGH LAWSUITS AGAIN.

THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS DR. SUGGS I THINK FROM SHELBY COUNTY MENTIONED IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERSIGHT IN THIS.

I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WE ARE AWARE OF ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT AFFECT OUR STUDENTS SO FOR THAT REASON I AM A NO.

>> THIS BILL WAS ORIGINALLY SLATED FOR THE APPROPRIATIONS IN REVENUE COMMITTEE, IT APPARENTLY COULD NOT GET THE VOTES THERE AND WITHDRAWN FROM COMMITTEE TO GET YES VOTES HERE.

THE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP HAD TO BE CHANGED WITH THE ADDITION OF ONE MEMBER, THE REMOVAL OF ANOTHER.

THIS IS NOT GOOD PROCESS.

WE WERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SOME BILLS ARE MEANT TO, TO NOT PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT READY YET, AND FOR THE GAMESMANSHIP THAT HAS BEEN GONE ON TO GET A YES VOTE AND TO GET THIS OUT OF COMMITTEE, THIS IS NOT GOOD DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

THIS IS NOT GOOD GOVERNANCE.

THIS IS NOT TRANSPARENCY AND I HOPE THAT MY STATEMENT JUST NOW MADE TRANSPARENT SOME OF THE GAMES THAT HAVE BEEN PLAYED ON THIS BILL.

>> THE CHARTER SCHOOL MEASURE NARROWLY ESCAPED THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING WITH 11 YES AND NINE NO VOTES.

CHAIRWOMAN REGINA HUFF AND VICE CHAIR STEVE RILEY WERE AMONG THOSE DISSENTING.

WHEN IT DIME THE HOUSE FLOOR LATER THIS AFTERNOON, IT WAS A RINSE AND REPEAT OF ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST IT DURING A MORE THAN TWO-HOUR FLOOR DEBATE.

AND THE MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR THE MEASURE WAS AS MUCH A NAIL BITER AS THE COMMITTEE VOTE.

JEFFERSON COUNTY EDUCATOR AND DEPUTY NAAH BOJORQUEZ NOW SKI LED OFF ROUNDS OF COMMENTARY AGAINST THE MEASURE FROM HER CAUCUS AND SOME REPUBLICANS VOICED THEIR CONCERNS OVER .. AND EFFORT TO PRIVATIZE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> THERE IS NOTHING I WANT MORE THAN TO HAVE THE BEST PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT YOU COULD IMAGINE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR CHILDREN.

HOWEVER THE ABILITY FOR FOR PROFIT MANAGEMENT COMPANIES TO MANAGE 100 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS THAT GO INTO A CHARTER SCHOOL, COMBINED WITH THE LACK OF LOCAL CONTROL, EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES THAT SIFT OUT A CERTAIN GROUP OF CHILDREN INTO THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS NOT THE ANSWER THAT WE NEED TO FULFILL OUR DUTY TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY CHILD TO LEARN IN KENTUCKY IN OUR COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS SOMETHING I KNOW.

IT IS SOMETHING I DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I AM BOOTS ON THE GROUND EVERY DAY IN MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I SEE THE KIDS.

I SEE KIDS EVERY DAY WHO THEIR PARENTS COULDN'T CARELESS WHERE THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

THEY JUST WANT THEM OUT OF THEIR HOUSES.

WE AS PUBLIC EDUCATORS OUR JOB IS TO TAKE CARE OF THESE KIDS AND TO LOVE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM.

PUBLIC EDUCATION NEEDS EXTRA FUNDING, GUYS.

I KNOW WE HAVE HEARD IT FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE HERE.

WE HAVE GOT TO FUND KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION FULL DAY.

WE HAVE GOT TO DO THAT.

I THINK CHARTER SCHOOLS OFFERS UNFAIR ADVANTAGES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL TAKE FUNDING FROM OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> I WOULD URGE EACH OF US TO OPEN THE CHARTER SCHOOL BECAUSE WE CAN REALLY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE DISABLED.

WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE FAILING KIDS.

IT LOOKS LIKE -- THAT PUBLIC -- THAT STATE IS GOING TO GET TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR HEALTHCARE, LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS, RETIREMENT, SICK LEAVE, SO ITCH YOU OPERATE A CHARTER SCHOOL, SO IF YOU OPERATE A CHARTER SCHOOL, COME TO KENTUCKY AND WE WILL MAKE YOU RICH.

>> THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF FRAUD, MISMANAGEMENT EMBEZZLEMENT, FAILURE AND ABUSE.

THE ORGANIZATIONS LOBBYING HERE IN KENTUCKY AREN'T THE BIG NAMED NATIONAL NONPROFIT NETWORKS WHO OUT THE THEIR STUDENTS GOING TO HARVARD.

>> #04:.

>> THEY ARE FOR PROFIT NETWORKS WHO WILL TAKE AN SORP TENANT FEES INTO THEIR CORPORATE ACCOUNTS AND WHEN THE SCHOOL CLOSES AS HALF OF ALL CHARTERS DO WITHIN FIVE YEARS, THE DESKS, THE SMART BOARDS, THE COPIES OF RONALD REAGAN'S A TIME FOR CHOOSING WILL GO BY TRUCK TO NEW YORK OR MICHIGAN.

>> A FISCAL ARGUMENT WAS MADE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL LEGISLATION ON THE PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEMS.

THAT CAME FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY DEMOCRAT BUDDY WHEATLEY WHO PREDICTED THE DISMANTLING OF THE PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEM AND EDUCATION SYSTEM AS AN UNFORTUNATE BY-PRODUCT.

THE DEBATE ROUNDED OUT WITH FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN SCOTT SHARP FROM BOYD COUNTY WHO MADE A CASE FOR THE BILL'S SUPPORT.

>> WHICH MAY NOT HAVE, IF WE AUTHORIZE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, WE MAY NOT HAVE AS MANY EMPLOYEES ENTERING INTO CERS AND TERS.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS.

TRS COUNTS ON, TO ALL OF THE ACTUARIAL STUDIES, ALL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING IS BASED ON 2.75 PERCENT PAYROLL GROWTH A YEAR FOR THE NEXT 27 YEARS.

AND THE GROWTH FOR CERS EMPLOYEES IS ONE PERCENT.

IF WE AUTHORIZE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THEY ARE NOT MANDATORY, TO GO INTO OUR PENSION SYSTEMS, I DON'T LIKE TO USE THIS PHRASE BUT THAT IS A DEATH SPIRAL.

>> THIS BILL IS ABOUT PARENTAL CHOICE AND I HAVE AN EXPERIENCE WITH MY DAUGHTER KATIE WHO WE ALL MET YESTERDAY HERE ON THE FLOOR WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE A SAY, SO I HAVE GOT TO DO WHAT I THINK IS BEST FOR PARENTS OF MY DISTRICT TO GIVE THEM AN OPTION OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT, TO GIVE THEM MORE OPTIONS THAN WHAT THEY HAVE.

>> THE CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING BILL, HOUSE BILL 9, ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE 51 TO 46.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

THE ULTIMATE POWER OF DECIDING SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND HIRING PRINCIPALS WOULD BE SHIFTED FROM SCHOOL BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCILS TO SUPERINTENDENTS UNDER A SENATE MEASURE APPROVED BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

THE BILL CALLS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT TO CONSULT WITH SITE BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCILS IN SELECTING A PRINCIPAL, BUT THE FINAL DECISION RESTS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

SPONSOR JOHN SCHICKEL'S SENATE BILL 1 IS SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING BUT A NEW REMEDY OVER TEACHING HISTORY IN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS BECAME A SURPRISING ATTACHMENT TO THE BILL.

A HOUSE REVISED SENATE BILL 1 ALSO ADDRESSES OPERATIONAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.

LAUREN MITCHELL, HAS TWO SONS IN THE WOODFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SHE SAYS SCHOOL BASED DECISION MAKING COUNCILS ALLOW FAMILIES TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

>> I HAVE SERVED ON COUNCILS FOR TEN YEARS NOW, THROUGH SBDM PARENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WHO KNOWS WEST THAN THE PRINCIPALS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS OF THAT PARTICULAR SCHOOL?

SENATE BILL 1 DOES DIMINISH PARENT VOICE.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GIVING THE DECISION MAKING TO SIX PEOPLE VERSUS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN EACH SCHOOL.

MY COUNCIL HAS EIGHT ON IT.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT, ALL OF WHICH HAVE ITS OWN COUNCIL THAT ARE ALL MAKING LOCAL DECISIONS FOR EACH OF THOSE SCHOOLS.

THEY KNOW AGAINST FOR WHAT THOSE KIDS NEED.

THE SIX PEOPLE THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, I AM NOT SAYING THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT IN THE SCHOOLS EVERY DAY.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE KENTUCKY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THE LARGEST TEACHERS UNION IN THE STATE, TESTIFIED THAT SBDMS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF THE HALLMARK 1990 EDUCATION REFORM ACT, KERA, EDDIE CAMPBELL BELIEVES THOSE LOCAL VOICES, PARENTS AND EDUCATORS, SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR POWER TO MAKE KEY DECISIONS.

>> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS OUR SBDM COUNCILS HAVE BEEN AN ESSENTIAL DRIVER IN KENTUCKY STUDENT SUCCESS, OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH.

ACCORDING TO KDE THERE ARE 7,625 KENTUCKY CITIZENS SERVING ON THESE COUNCILS.

THE GROUP IS MADE UP OF PARENTS WHO ARE ELECTED BY THEIR PEERS, TEACHERS WHO ARE ELECTED BY THEIR COLLEAGUES, AND PRINCIPAL WHO IS SELECTED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNCIL AND IN COLLABORATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHO HAS A VOTE ON THOSE COUNCILS.

SBDM MEMBERS KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNIQUE STUDENT POPULATIONS IN THEIR SCHOOLS THAT THEY REPRESENT.

THEY UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES AND CHANCE THAT THE STUDENTS FACES A A GROUP AND ARE BEST QUALIFIED TO ADOPT POLICIES TO FACILITATE ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

>> THE MEASURE HIT THE FLOOR JUST A FEW HOURS AFTER THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVED IT.

MOST OF THE MEMBER'S REACTIONS SURROUNDED THE HISTORY TEACHING PIECE THAT HAD BEEN ATTACHED TO THE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE MEASURE.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS BLASTED THE PROVISIONS AIMED AT CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND THEY CALLED IT QUOTE CLASSROOM CENSORSHIP AND HONED IN ON THE TWO DOZEN HISTORICAL TEXTS AND DOCUMENTS THAT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TEACH.

DEMOCRATS CONTEND THE QUOTE TEACHING AMERICAN PRINCIPLES PORTION OF THE MEASURE AMOUNTS TO CLASSROOM CENSORSHIP.

>> AND I WOULD NEVER WANT TO SEE ANYBODY IN A CLASSROOM SELF SENSOR BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THAT THEY WERE BREAKING A LAW THAT WAS SET UP BY A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT TEACHERS OR TRAINED HISTORIANS.

TEACHING THE PAST ACCURATELY DOES GIVE STUDENTS IN K-12 SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF AND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT SHOULD BE WITH OUR TEACHERS.

>> I TOO AM GOING TO SPEAK ON SECTIONS 4 THROUGH 5 OF SENATE BILL 1 WHICH INCORPORATED PARTS OF SENATE BILL 138 WHICH IS THE CLASSROOM CENSORSHIP BILL THAT DANCES AROUND THE EDGES OF BEING ANTI-CRITICAL RACE THEORY WITHOUT EVER MENTIONING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IT CLAIMS ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE CREATED EQUAL YET TRANS KIDS CAN'T PLAY SPORTS, IT MAINTAINS THE HE ERASURE OF BLACK WOMEN THIS THE LIST OF CORE DOCUMENTS ZERO CORE DOCUMENTS ARE WRITTEN BY BLACK PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND TWO SUPREME COURT DECISIONS IN THE LIST OF PRIMARY DOCUMENTS, DECISIONS THAT FOCUSED ON DEFINING SLAVES AS PERSONAL PROPERTY, SANFORD AND GIVES A THUMBS UP TO SEPARATE BUT EQUAL MEDICATION SITUATE VERSUS FERGUSON, I CAN'T IMAGINE THIS AL WHINES THE COMMISSION ON RACE AND ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

>> THE PRINCIPAL SELECTION AND NOW HISTORY INSTRUCTION MEASURE, IN SENATE BILL 1, ADVANCED FROM THE HOUSE 67 TO 29, IT NOW MOVES GONE THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

SENATE BILL 138 AS PROPOSED BY SENATE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN MAX WISE WAS HEARD ON ITS OWN IN THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

WISE BELIEFS HISTORICAL TEXTS AND WRITTEN DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE NATION'S FOUNDING ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO LEARNING CIVIC VIRTUES AND DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES, HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS ARE GROUNDED IN AMERICAN IDEALS.

AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ALREADY, SENATE BILL 138 REQUIRES THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCORPORATE A SPECIFIC LIST OF 24 CORE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, SPEECHES AND U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISIONS INTO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

UNDER THE MEASURE, TEACHING CONTROVERSIAL CURRENT EVENTS HAS TO BE AGE APPROPRIATE, NONDISCRIMINATORY AND RESPECTFUL OF STUDENTS' DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS MORNING, SENATOR WISE OFFERED THIS EXAMPLE.

>> IF THERE IS AN ASSIGNMENT GIVEN, EXTRA CREDIT THAT IS GIVEN, IF THERE IS A FIELD TRIP THAT IS GIVEN AND A PARENT OBJECTS TO THAT, THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THAT.

IF THERE IS A CERTAIN RALLY THAT A TEACHER IS SAYING SHEER WHAT A STUDENT WILL BE GOING TO, BUT A PARENT OBJECTS TO THAT, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO.

MANY OF THESE THINGS WERE ALREADY PUT IN PLACE OF THE LANGUAGE OF THAT BILL COMES FROM THE KENTUCKY SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS EPSB, THE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD.

A TEACHER SHALL NOT REQUIRE OR INCENTIVIZE A STUDENT ADVOCATE A CAUSE OR POLITICAL CANDIDATE WITH WHICH THE STUDENT OR THE PARENT FOR GUARDIAN OR THE MINOR STUDENT DOES NOT AGREE WITH.

AND LASTLY ON TRAINING, AN EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR TRAINING THAT COERCES THE EMPLOYEES TO STEREOTYPE A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

INSTEAD OF TELLING A TEACHER WHAT THEY CAN'T DO, THIS SIMPLY ALLIANCE NORTH AND SOUTH OF SAYING HERE ARE DOCUMENTS TO PUT INTO PLACE, HERE ARE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO SEE IN TERMS OF GETTING BACK TO OUR FOUNDATION, OUR PRINCIPLES OF OUR COUNTRY.

THE ONE THING, THE RESOUNDING THING ABOUT THIS BILL IS WHY ARE WE SO QUICK TO DICTATE TO TEACH WATER THIS HE NEED TEACH?

LET'S LET THEM TEACH.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> REPRESENTATIVE I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO ALLOW OUR CHILDREN THOUSAND LEARN AND ACTUALLY SOMETIMES NOT WHAT TO LEARN AND I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT EDUCATORS IN THE SYSTEM THAT CAN WORK WITH STUDENTS AND BE ABLE TO BRING OUT THOSE TYPES OF CONVERSATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> KATE MILL WE ARE THE ACLU OF KENTUCKY WAS AMONG THOSE WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL IN COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

OPPONENTS BLAST THE MEASURE AS GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP THAT WILL STIFLE THEY SAY MEANINGFUL INSTRUCTION IN THE CLASSROOM WITH TEACHERS FEARING RETALIATION FROM PARENTS.

>> IF SENATE BILL 138 SERVES AS A WAY TO CENSOR SPEECH, AS THE GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP BILL AND A LONG HISTORY OF THESE TYPE OF BILLS AND WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS DO NOT STOP FOR TEACHERS OR STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE GATE.

SO WHAT I WANT TO FIRST FOCUS ON IS THAT EVEN IF THE LANGUAGE SAYS WELL THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO RESTRICT THE SPEECH OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, THERE IS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE AS REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT ALREADY POINTED OUT THAT WE THINK WILL ABSOLUTELY CHILL INTEGRAL DISCUSSIONS IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO FIRST I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU AS FIRST AMENDMENT ADVOCATE AND STATE THAT OPPOSITION.

SECONDLY, AND VERY BRIEFLY WAIT TO SPEAK TO YOU AS, FOR THE MOST PART FELLOW WHITE PERSON, I THINK EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE ASIDE FROM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT IDENTIFIES AS WHITE AND AS A WHITE PERSON WHO OFTEN GETS DISCUSSIONS ON RACE WRONG, RIGHT, WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS, SOMETIMES WE SAY THE WRONG THING, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT IN RESPONSE TO THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO RECTIFY THOSE WRONGS AND THIS BILL DOESN'T HELP US GET THERE.

THIS BILL WILL LIMIT THIS GENERATION AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OPPORTUNITIES TO REPAIR THE HARM THAT WE HAVE CAUSED.

MY FELLOW CLASSMATES AND I HEARD THE BILL'S GET TO.

GOAL IS TO VIEW AMERICAN WHAIFT POSITIVE OUTLOOK, WHAT WE REALLY HEARD IS LEGISLATORS WANT TEACHERS TO LIE ABOUT OUR HISTORY.

AMERICA WAS BUILT ON THE IDEALS OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS BUT WHEN WE ANALYZE OUR HISTORY WE HAVE SEEN THESE POSITIVE IDEALS ARE TWOFOLD, WITHIN THE GOAL OF LIFE WE SEE INSTITUTIONS LIKE TO GOVERNMENT AND ARMY TAKING LIVES AND IMPERIL LIESING HAWAII ON THE BASIS OF RACISM AND PREJUDICE, WITHIN THE GOAL OF LIBERTY WE SEE THE SAME INSTITUTIONS ENSLAVING AFRICAN AMERICANS AND KEEPING NATIVES FROM GAINING CITIZENSHIP TO THE LAND THEY LIVED ON BEFORE US AND LASTLY WITH THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WE SEE INSTITUTIONS BARRING CITIZENS OF COLOR FROM ACCESS TO EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND HOUSING EQUAL TO THE WHITE COUNTERPARTS, IF WE ASK STUDENTS DON'T COME TO TERMS WITH THESE UNDENIABLE FACTS THE COMMONWEALTH WILL CON CONTINUE TO FACE THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE TODAY AND HAVE FACED IN THE PAST.

>> OTHER OBJECTORS BELIEVE SENATE BILL 138 TROUNCES ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND THREATENED THE EXISTING PROCESS OF REVIEWING AND DEVELOPING ACADEMIC STANDARDS THAT INCLUDES INPUT FROM EDUCATORS, EXPERTS AND CITIZENS, THEY ALSO QUESTION HOW THE DETERMINATION OF RELEVANCY, CONTROVERSY AND OBJECTIVITY IS MADE.

>> THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR OUR GROUP.

100 YEARS AGO THE KENTUCKY ACADEMY OF SCIENCE MEMBERS OPPOSED A PROPOSAL IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROHIBIT THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION IN SCHOOLS.

SO THE TOP DOWN APPROACH WAS SEEN AS A SLIPPERY SLOPE THEN, AS IT IS NOW.

NOW I UNDERSTAND CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO SENATE BILL 138 SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED.

THE WORDING IN THE PORTION OF THE BILL THAT LISTED THE 24 SPEECHES AND DOCUMENTS TO BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS WAS CHANGED SO THAT INSTEAD OF SAYING THE ITEMS WOULD BECOME A PART OF SCHOOL CURRICULUM THAT THIS WE WOULD INSTEAD BECOME PART OF THE STATE'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS.

BUT EVEN WITH THIS CHANGE, IT IS STILL APPARENT THAT LOCAL DECISION MAKING THAT WE VALUE WHEN IT COMES TO DETERMINING WHAT IS TAUGHT IN CLASSROOMS WOULD BE MINIMIZED.

THIS LAW WOULD BE IN FRONT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND SHOULD ENRAGE ALL WHO SEARCHISH ACADEMIC FREEDOM, MOST OF THE DOCUMENT'S MISSION IN SENATE BILL 138 ARE GREAT PRIMARY SOURCES ALREADY IN USE IN OUR CLASSROOMS BUT BEYOND THAT WHO DECIDES WHAT IS RELEVANT OR OBJECTIVE OR FOR THAT MATTER CONTROVERSIAL?

WELL EMMITT TILL, THE ROSEWOOD MASSACRE OR -- NOW BE CONSIDERED IRRELEVANT?

OR TOO MATURE FOR MY STUDENTS IN WHO DECIDES WHAT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES?

MUST I REMOVE TIME HONORED SCHOLARLY WORKS FROM MY CLASSROOM SHELVES BECAUSE THEY ARE WRITTEN OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF KNOWLEDGE OF MY STUDENTS?

MUST I INCLUDE DIATRIBES FROM HOLOCAUST DENIERS AND THOSE WHO WOULD DIMINISH THE HORRORS OF SLAVERY?

THESE DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ARE CERTAINLY PREVALENT.

>> SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX WISE'S SENATE BILL 138 ADVANCED FROM THE COMMITTEE WITH SIX DISSENTING VOTES CAST BY ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE AND ONE REPUBLICAN, A FORMER SOCIAL STUDIES AND CIVICS TEACHER KILLIAN TIMONEY OF LEXINGTON.

THAT MEASURE WAS ROLLED INTO SENATE BILL 1 AS WE TOLD YOU EARLIER, THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE AND WILL SOON BE IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SENATE.

IN OTHER HOUSE ACTION, KENTUCKY WOULD SPEND ABOUT $3.4 BILLION ON ITS ROADS AND BRIDGES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS WITH THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 242.

THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE COMMITTEE HEARD TODAY FROM THE BILL'S COSPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE SAL SANTORO OF FLORENCE.

HE SAYS THE STATE WOULD SPEND $1.7 BILLION EACH OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS WITH SOME OF THAT MONEY GOING TO THREE HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS.

THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE WILL GET A COMPARISON, A COMPANION BRIDGE, THE TOTAL COST OF THIS IS $2.8 BILLION AND KENTUCKY IS PROVIDING 1.3 BILLION OF THIS.

THIS IS OVER A FEW YEARS.

WE ARE WORKING WITH OHIO.

ALSO THE PLAWNT PARKWAY FOR OUR MOUNTAIN PEOPLE.

THAT RUNS FROM WINCHESTER TO SAUERSVILLE.

IT WILL BE WIDENED THIS IS AT THE COST OF 300 MILLION TOTAL AND WE ARE PUTTING FORWARD $3 MILLION FOR DESIGN PHASE.

>> ALSO, THE BUILDING OF THE APPROACHES FOR THE I 69 BRIDGE CONNECTING HENDERSON, KENTUCKY TO EVANSVILLE.

IN THE, INDIANA ALSO IS WORKING WITH US, $700 MILLION TOTAL BUT WE ARE PAYING 320 MILLION FOR THIS.

THE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL SENDING IT ON TO THE FULL HOUSE WHERE THAT BODY APPROVED IT TODAY 84 TO FOUR.

THE LOWER CHAMBER ALSO APPROVED ROAD PROJECTS FOR WHAT IS CALLED THE OUT-YEARS WITHOUT OPPOSITION, 88 TO ZERO.

BOTH OF THOSE MEASURES NOW MAKE THEIR WAY ON TO THE SENATE.

THAT'S ALL FOR DAY 53 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL TO GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

YOU WATCH ON OUR KENTUCKY CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

AND YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I AM RENEE SHAW.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND I WILL SEE YOU SOON.