Education law that rebalanced responsibilities
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 19, 2024) – Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld an education law that rebalanced responsibilities between the superintendent and board of education in any consolidated local government, which currently includes only the Commonwealth’s largest school district. In August, Kentucky Solicitor General Matt Kuhn presented the Commonwealth’s case before the Kentucky Supreme Court, arguing the law is a constitutional exercise of the General Assembly’s policymaking role.
“Every student deserves a quality education that sets them up for success in the classroom and throughout their life. The General Assembly has taken bold steps to support Kentucky students and teachers. Our Office was proud to defend this law and deliver a victory for students at the Kentucky Supreme Court,” said Attorney General Coleman.
In 2022, the General Assembly passed a major education bill, which empowered the superintendent of a large district, like Jefferson County, to act like the district’s chief executive officer with the school board as the district’s board of directors.
“Now, it’s time to put this law into action. As Jefferson County searches for its next superintendent, the district needs a strong leader who can use the substantial tools provided by the General Assembly to move beyond past struggles and help students achieve,” General Coleman added.
“We are pleased with today's reversal opinion by Kentucky's highest court. The General Assembly acted constitutionally and appropriately as the state’s legislative body. The Kentucky Supreme Court reiterated the General Assembly's power to direct how frequently Kentucky's largest school district can and should meet. Senate Bill 1 from Kentucky's 2022 Session was not special legislation, and with this ruling, the constraints placed on this school board have been reinstated,” said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. “This ruling is a shot across the bow to Kentucky’s largest school district, one which continues to fail its students, particularly low-income and minority students. As education receives the largest portion of our state’s budget, funded by hard-working Kentuckians, this body will continue to provide the legal framework by which Kentucky’s public school boards educate our children.”
Kentucky Assistant Solicitor General Jacob Abrahamson assisted in the matter.
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