Members of the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE), during the board’s virtual meeting on Sept. 2, approved their legislative priorities and discussed the board’s responsibilities regarding the additional budget request (ABR) process.
KBE members have been working on a draft of their legislative priorities for the 2026-2028 biennium, which centers on a few key ideas:
- Advance Kentucky’s reimagined assessment and accountability system;
- Strengthen and sustain Kentucky’s Educator Workforce; and
- Secure adequate and sustainable funding for student success and school improvement.
The priorities also include statutory cleanup of legislation to improve the operational efficiency of Kentucky’s public schools by seeking greater flexibility for local innovation and removing outdated, duplicative mandates that divert time and resources from high-quality teaching and learning.
Brian Perry, director of government relations for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), said the priorities act as a guide for when KDE leaders talk with lawmakers about legislation. He explained the legislative priorities also serve as a guide for the department’s budget priorities when planning begins for the next round of budget negotiations with lawmakers, who are next tasked with developing a two-year state budget in the 2028 legislative session.
“These are intentionally very broad,” said KBE Chair Lu S. Young. “And then we get more granular as we have other opportunities to weigh in on the legislative process, including the additional budget request process.”
KBE Member Patti Minter, who has served as a state lawmaker, said the priorities document is a good example of something that will be helpful for lawmakers to understand the priorities of the KBE and KDE.
“As someone who got lots of these one-and two-pagers, I think this is tight,” Minter said. “It is a great statement that clearly and concisely defines what it is that the board is advocating for.”
Leaders with KDE’s Office of Finance and Operations – Associate Commissioner Matt Ross and Division Director Karen Wirth – provided board members with a more detailed look at the additional budget request process, including an overview of the current two-year state budget that was passed by lawmakers earlier this year and how school costs are calculated.
The KBE is responsible for making formal recommendations to the governor regarding all proposed budget requests, including the additional budget requests for funds over the baseline budget, proposed by KDE prior to their submission to the executive branch.
Assessment and Accountability
Representatives with KDE’s Office of Assessment and Accountability reviewed the timeline for the release of assessment and accountability data for the 2025-2026 school year.
Associate Commissioner Jennifer Stafford briefed board members on the quality control processes in place for processing data from schools that are going on year-round. Stafford said the goal is accurate, reliable public reporting as KDE prepares for the release of assessment and accountability data.
“It’s really important to get it right and to maintain the confidence that people have in Kentucky’s school accountability system,” she said.
The current timeline for the public release of assessment and accountability will culminate with the public reporting anticipated for Oct. 15. Prior to that date, KDE is working with district assessment coordinators and other school staff to go over each facet of the data. Stafford said KDE plans to review the data and supports for schools identified for federal intervention with KBE members during the board’s meeting in November.
High School Transformation Network
Young shared news that Kentucky has been selected again to participate in the National Association of State Boards of Education’s (NASBE’s) High School Transformation State Network, which is now entering a second phase.
Young said KBE has received a $10,000 grant to participate in the network and KBE member Juston Pate has agreed to chair the work group.
“This work represents a very strong, natural iteration of the Kentucky United We Learn Council‘s effort and the board’s vision around vibrant learning for every learner with innovation and deep community engagement,” Young said.
The High School Transformation State Network builds the capacity of state boards to enable rich student experiences that foster content mastery and durable skills. Young said she is working with Pate on the development of the next Kentucky High School Transformation Work Group that will have a focus centered on educator and student experiences.
New Board Member
KBE welcomed a new board member during the virtual meeting. Joe Bricking of Independence was named to the board by Gov. Andy Beshear on Aug. 27 to represent Kentucky’s 6th Supreme Court District.
Bricking said he’s excited to be on the board and feels passionate about developing a strong educational foundation for children.
“I’m very fortunate and honored to be part of (the board). I am a Kentucky kid through-and-through. Both of my parents’ careers were focused around the success of children in the state and my wife is a teacher within the public school system,” Bricking said.
Bricking has worked with Camco Chemical in Northern Kentucky for more than eight years, including his current role as director of business development. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Thomas More University in 2012.
The KBE will meet Oct. 7-8 for its next regular meeting.
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