The Kentucky Senate also approved a new approach for appointees to the Kentucky Board of Education and the commissioner.

Senate Bill 107 establishes a nominating committee for the KBI and requires the commissioner to be confirmed by the state Senate.

Bowling Green Republican Mike Wilson, the Senate majority whip, says it's been a bipartisan practice for governors to, quote, abuse that authority.

Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, dissolved the board immediately after taking office and appointed 12 new members of his own party.

Wilson said the point of his bill is to remove politics from education.

But some Democrats denounce it as another power grab from the governor.

So what this board will do is they will appoint from the seven Supreme Court districts each a candidate on this board, and it will also be the governor will be appointing these and he will be making sure that it's balanced by the male and female equally on the board, that they have the two leading parties represented equally the minority composition representation of this board as well.

They will work with as the governor will work with SBA, the School Board Association, the Superintendents Association, the PSB, all of these K groups, I call them to have them, you know, reach out and tell them these would be good nominees for this board.

Lou Yang, chair of the Kentucky Board of Education, sent Katie this statement about SB 107.

Quote, I worry that Senate Bill 107 would reverse the progress we have made during the past three decades and return the state to a time when the leadership of Kentucky's public schools was determined by political capital and connections, not professional experience.

Currently, the Kentucky Department of Education operates independently, which allows the commissioner to focus on what truly matters our students and educators.

It goes on to say, In spring of 2021, the General Assembly took steps toward stabilizing the Kentucky Board of Education by requiring board appointments to maintain a balance in gender, race and political representation.

And that piece of legislation is having the desired result.

The KBE stands unified in support of the way we select our state education chief, and we remain committed to ensuring every student has access to high quality lifelong learning.

End quote.

Senate Bill 107 advanced from the Senate today 29 to 4, and it now heads to the House for consideration there.