Superintendents learned about a new pilot project for Schools of Innovation from leaders of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE’s) Office of Continuous Improvement and Support during the Superintendents Webcast on Sept 10.
Senate Bill 263 (2026) amended KRS 160.125 to create the school of innovation pilot project, which runs until June 30, 2028. For the 2027-2028 school year, two Kentucky schools may each receive up to $2.5 million through the School of Innovation pilot project.
Participation in the pilot project is a two-step process. First, a school must apply to the Kentucky Board of Education to be designated as a school of innovation by requesting a waiver from at least one statute or regulation that creates a barrier to innovation. Schools can learn more about the waiver process and how to apply for School of Innovation designation by visiting the KDE’s Kentucky Revised Statutes webpage.
After receiving a waiver and school of innovation designation, schools may submit a separate application for pilot-project funding. The funding application is expected to be available this fall and will be due March 1, 2027. To be eligible for funding, a school’s waiver application must be heard by the Kentucky Board of Education at its October, December, February or April meeting. The two selected schools will receive funding beginning July 1, 2027. For more information, contact Matthew Courtney via email.
For the 2026-2027 school year, participating schools in Covington Independent will receive up to $2.5 million as the first participant in the pilot project.
School Resource Officer Hiring
Matt Moore with the Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS) presented information about the agency’s job portal for school resource officers (SROs).
The portal can be found on the Kentucky Center for School Safety website under the SRO Jobs tab. Moore said the job portal was developed following conversations with legislative leaders about securing funding for more full-time SROs and helping schools find qualified candidates.
“What we’re doing, what KCSS is doing, is really getting into the matchmaker business, so to speak, when it comes to SROs. So, we are trying to find the SROs that are out there in the state and connect them with the potential job openings,” Moore said.
Moore said KCSS is working with law enforcement agencies and groups representing police officers to further publicize the job portal and openings that are available in Kentucky.
During the Superintendents Webcast, KDE leaders also provided superintendents with information about the Use of Time survey for counselors and school-based mental health professionals and the recently named 2027 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Molly Seifert of Beechwood Independent.
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