KDE student advisory council discusses HB 563, possible impacts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Kentucky Department of Education’s Student Advisory Council met virtually Tuesday to address recent legislation passed by the General Assembly.

Most of the discussion centered around the passage of House Bill 563, dealing with a $25 million diversion of taxpayer funds from the state coffers and into the pockets of private schools.

Wallace Bates, a student on the council, asked, “Do we have any idea what the long-term ramifications of 563 could be when it comes to public education?”

Chuck Truesdell, with the Office of the Commissioner of Education, said it’s just the beginning, “Once you open it up to a $25 million tax credit, it can be used in certain ways.”

While Truesdell said it’s a five-year pilot program, he predicts it will continue longer and also expand to all counties.

According to Truesdell, the state needs, “to improve public schools and make them more competitive.”

State Education Commissioner Jason Glass, who has called for a veto of HB 563, responded as well, saying other states have the same system in place, “So it’s not an unknown what’s going to happen.”

According to Glass, “The tax credit amount will get larger and larger, the number of private schools taking part will get larger and larger.”

Over time, Glass said Kentucky will see more students attending private schools and fewer attending public schools.

Glass said ultimately it will lead to school closures and consolidations, “We’re thinning the resources.”

According to Glass, typically well-to-do families will take advantage of it.

On the other side, Glass says there is an upside as he expects more innovative boutique and specialized schools will pop-up, giving parents more choices.

As it stands, Glass says his concerns about HB 563 center around equity, “The current bill needs work.”

Truesdell says the deadline for parents to submit a request to their local school district is May 1. The school district then has to make a decision by June 1.

According to Truesdell, the district can say yes or no but it has to be for all students who applied; students cannot be strategically picked to take advantage of this.

Truesdell said they’ll continue to monitor the General Assembly and governor’s actions regarding a possible veto.

You can read more about HB 563 HERE.

The student advisory council meets with the commissioner and Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Kentucky. The students provide feedback on critical issues impacting students and schools and work with KDE staff to develop ideas to improve and transform education.

According to KDE, the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council is designed for Kentucky public school students in grades 10-12, including students from the Kentucky School for the Blind and Kentucky School for the Deaf. You can read more HERE.