Latest news with #RobbieFletcher
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky school officials ask to extend federal COVID relief payouts for planned projects
Teachers greet students stepping off their bus at a Louisville public elementary school in 2022. () The Kentucky Department of Education has requested a funding extension for projects in 13 public school districts that are in jeopardy if the federal government continues to halt future payments of pandemic relief funds. In a Friday press release, Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said KDE hopes the U.S. Department of Education approves a deadline extension to use COVID-19 relief funds but the school districts 'should not have to go through this extra step and the uncertainty because these projects had already been approved by USED.' The projects across the 13 school districts were to receive more than $35.5 million in promised funding from the federal government. The school districts had previously requested the expected money from the U.S. Department of Education. Some had signed contracts or incurred other obligations and must now re-examine their district budgets. Fletcher previously urged school superintendents to contact their lawmakers in Congress about the sudden stoppage of COVID-19 relief funds to Kentucky schools. School districts previously had until March of 2026 to spend COVID-19 relief funds that had been approved. However, in a March 28 letter, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon told state education departments that the federal government was immediately halting nearly $3 billion in relief fund reimbursements. McMahon's letter said the federal department would consider extending the pandemic relief funds' liquidation period on an individual project basis. KDE submitted information about the planned projects in a deadline extension request to USED. 'Compounding the problem is that in order to get the extension to spend this money from USED, school districts and KDE have signed contracts that obligated how the money would be spent,' Fletcher said. 'Those contracts still exist, and some hard decisions have to be made about how to pay for these projects if USED does not honor its previous commitments.' The school districts identified by KDE in the extension request are Boone County, Carter County, Caverna Independent, Christian County, Clinton County, Covington Independent, Knox County, Laurel County, Letcher County, Owsley County, Perry County, Pike County and Trigg County. The districts planned to use their remaining pandemic relief funds for various projects, such as construction of school buildings and ordering new buses. Letcher County Schools planned to use its remaining more than $3 million in pandemic relief funds to buy 25 school buses to replace ones lost during the July 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky. The district's superintendent, Denise Yonts, said the district must pay for the buses regardless of what the federal education department decides, according to KDE's press release. 'The board will have to go back to the drawing board on the budget,' Yonts said in the statement. 'Right now, we have to look at the contingency and what other resources we have.' In addition to the school districts' projects, KDE had $18 million in unspent pandemic relief funds that were initially approved to be used through March 2026. KDE planned to use the money for initiatives like expanding the amount of students for the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts program this summer, supporting summer learning for students in 13 school districts and enhancing career and technical education for students with disabilities in four school districts.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KY education department certifies its compliance with Trump dictates on civil rights
Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has signed an agreement with the federal government to have no diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools However, KDE has not paused or suspended any of its existing programs since receiving a request from the U.S. Department of Education to complete a form certifying its compliance with Trump administration interpretations of civil rights law. Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher also said the state department will continue working with its partners 'to build an education system that is responsive and relentlessly focused on student success.' In a letter to superintendents sent last weekend, Fletcher wrote that the U.S. Education Department's certification form 'is not without issues,' but he is still 'confident that through our statewide commitment to providing opportunity and access for every student, we can advance towards meeting the needs and ensuring the success of each student in Kentucky's public schools.' According to the federal agency's form, 'any violation of Title VI — including the use of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion ('DEI') programs to advantage one's race over another — is impermissible' and using 'certain DEI practices can violate federal law.' The form outlines possible consequences — such as losing federal funding or facing a federal lawsuit — for a state or local education agency that protects a DEI program. Title VI of the 1963 Civil Rights Act It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The U.S. Education Department asked the Kentucky department to distribute the certification forms to local school district officials for their signatures. Fletcher's letter said all Kentucky school districts have 'previously assured KDE of such compliance' and will do so annually in the future. 'As previously recommended, school districts should consult with board counsel on whether the district will sign the Certification Form,' Fletcher wrote. The federal department's targeting of DEI practices comes as Republicans at the national and state levels have pushed to roll back such measures, particularly in education. The GOP-controlled Kentucky General Assembly recently passed a law banning DEI programs at Kentucky public universities and colleges. Shortly after he assumed office in January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating DEI programs within the federal government. Backlash against DEI programs has grown since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in higher education admissions in 2023. The ruling is cited in the form the U.S. Department of Education is asking school officials to sign.. In general, DEI initiatives focus on supporting marginalized people in areas where they have been historically excluded. The U.S. Education Department previously threatened to rescind federal funding for schools in a February letter if they use DEI, or race-conscious practices, in admissions, programming, training, hiring, scholarships and other resources for students. In a statement to the Kentucky Lantern, Fletcher said he is 'committed to ensuring that every student—regardless of race, background, language, socioeconomic status, or zip code — has access to a high-quality education and vibrant learning opportunities to succeed.' 'That means removing barriers, expanding support for English learners, and providing all students with the resources they need to thrive,' Fletcher added. 'Our schools must be places where every child feels supported and challenged to reach their full potential. We will continue to work with educators, families, and communities to build an education system that is responsive and relentlessly focused on student success.' Earlier this month, the U.S. Education Department sent a letter asking states and districts to provide certifications they were complying with the order within 10 days or risk losing federal funding. The department then delayed the deadline to sign its form until after April 24 following an agreement between it and groups suing the federal department over the directive. The National Education Association, a teachers union, and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging the directive in court. Kentucky's legislature has not outlawed DEI in public schools, although legislation was filed in the 2025 General Assembly to roll back such programs. Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, filed bills that would have prohibited DEI initiatives in Kentucky's public schools and state and local governments. Neither got a committee hearing.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Could Kentucky schools be ending DEI? Here's what state education leaders said
KENTUCKY, Ky. (FOX 56) — On Wednesday, FOX 56 reached out to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), asking if programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in schools across the state would be terminated. Over the weekend, Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher reportedly told local superintendents that the department had decided to sign a certification form sent on April 3 from the United States Department of Education (DOE) forbidding the use of DEI practices in school policy. The DOE's form goes on to say that school leaders who don't sign the form will no longer receive federal funding and could even be sued by the U.S. Department of Justice under litigation for a breach of contract. Health-conscious restaurant in Lexington closes down Free yoga and Tai Chi classes coming to Smothers Park Kentucky's first female chief justice credits Appalachian upbringing for her commitment to fairness 'As Commissioner of Education, I am committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of race, background, language, socioeconomic status, or zip code, has access to a high-quality education and vibrant learning opportunities to succeed,' Commissioner Fletcher said. 'That means removing barriers, expanding support for English learners, and providing all students with the resources they need to thrive. Our schools must be places where every child feels supported and challenged to reach their full potential. We will continue to work with educators, families, and communities to build an education system that is responsive and relentlessly focused on student success.' Initially, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) asked education leaders around the nation to sign the form within 10 days of receiving it, but the deadline was extended to April 24. The commissioner said the KDE would agree to submit the form to the OCR by April 24 because each district in the state has already been complying with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including Title VI. 'As previously recommended, school districts should consult with board counsel on whether the district will sign the Certification Form,' Fletcher said. Woman charged as pedestrian fights for life after Georgetown Road hit-and run The state superintendent asked school districts that choose to sign the form ending their DEI programs to do so by 5 p.m. on April 18th. 'I am confident that through our statewide commitment to providing opportunity and access for every student, we can advance towards meeting the needs and ensuring the success of each student in Kentucky's public schools,' Fletcher wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Laurel County Public Schools, pending HB 241, to extend school days by 15 minutes
Laurel County Public Schools is extending the district's school day for the remainder of the academic calendar to make up for closures and lost instruction time. The district announced Thursday that 15 minutes will be added to remaining school days starting Monday to make up for two days of lost instruction time during the academic year. The district's start time will remain the same, as well as bus times, with a 15 minute adjustment to dismissal and bus pick-ups in the afternoon. Changes to the calendar are possible down the road, the district said. The decision follows anticipation that House Bill 241, which will allow the district to apply the added minutes to make up for lost instructional time, will pass. "We understand these changes may require adjustments to your family's routine, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding," the announcement said. "As always, we are committed to providing a quality education for our students and appreciate your continued support." Laurel County Public Schools Weather, flu, I-75 shooting: Why Kentucky kids have missed so much school this year Laurel County Public Schools was one of the districts along Interstate 75 near London previously forced to close or move to NTI as police officers spent nearly two weeks searching for a gunman who opened fire on travelers from an overpass last September. The manhunt impacted about 10 districts, Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said to The Courier Journal. Reporter Krista Johnson contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Laurel County Public Schools adds 15 minutes to school days
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky lawmakers, education officials discuss school funding shortfall
Robbie Fletcher, state commissioner of education, discussed the expected SEEK funding shortfall before a legislative committee Tuesday. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) FRANKFORT — Kentucky Department of Education officials appeared before a House subcommittee Wednesday morning to discuss a state funding shortfall that could impact local school districts. Last month, Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher wrote in a memo that KDE is predicting a SEEK funding shortfall of about $40 million in the 2024-25 academic year, after 'a detailed review of preliminary data.' On Tuesday, Fletcher told lawmakers that multiple factors that go into the SEEK formula, such as growth in the numbers of students and English language learners and increased property values, were different than what was projected. He called the process of arriving at estimates 'a consensus building process between the Office of State Budget Director' and KDE. 'We arrive at numbers on a very complex modeling and of course, this modeling happened in the fall of 2023, so … we're at the point now having to deal with what was projected in 2023,' Fletcher said. The KDE officials appeared before the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development to discuss the data used to predict how much money the legislature should budget for schools under SEEK, or Support Education Excellence in Kentucky, The formula determines the amount of state funding to local school districts. It has a base per-pupil funding allocation, along with additional funding for factors like transportation costs or the number of students in a district who qualify for additional resources like special education, free or reduced-price meals and English language assistance. Fletcher wrote in his January memo that a SEEK shortfall previously occurred four times between fiscal years 2010 and 2024. Of the $40 million shortfall predicted for this year, $14.7 million of the amount is required under state law. The remaining $26 million is designated for local school districts if funds are available. According to KDE's presentation, if no action is taken on the shortfall, the $14.7 million would come out of monthly payments given to school districts between April and June. Chay Ritter, the director of the Division of District Support in KDE, gave an example of how Jefferson County Public Schools, the state's largest district, could be impacted if no action is taken on the shortfall. The district would receive $1.3 million less than the SEEK calculation this fiscal year. 'Making that cut for some districts, it may be a hiccup. For others, it may be pretty rough,' Ritter said. 'So, we're very conscious of that, and that's why we obviously try to avoid that.' A presentation slide showed that estimates of various factors in the SEEK formula were within 0.2% to 10.1% of the actual cost. However, that can reflect millions of dollars within the total funding budget. The required $14.7 million is about 0.5% of KDE's budget appropriation, which is $2.7 billion. Last Tuesday, Republican House Speaker David Osborne, of Prospect, reiterated comments he made after KDE raised the alarm on a possible SEEK funding shortfall. Osborne said it was a 'disturbing trend' to 'continue to see bad information and bad data.' He added that it has been 'several years now that we have seen inaccurate information.' 'I don't think it's intentional, but there's a disconnect somewhere in getting us good information,' Osborne said. 'That's all we have when we make budgets, is the information that we're given on those things. So for us to construct a budget, we've got to have good data going in. Osborne said that the data comes from a combination of what KDE provides and what the legislature requests. When asked if that process could change in the future, Osborne said 'it very well could. Meanwhile, Republican Senate President Robert Stivers, of Manchester, told reporters that he had been in conversations with KDE about the predicted SEEK funding shortage. 'There was a little bit of an undercount, but not much,' he said. 'There was an impact of increased property taxes. So, there were several components to this that caused us to have a shortfall, but it's not unusual that occurs because different things happen.' Stivers said adjustments have been made before on SEEK funding throughout his time in the legislature.
