The State of State Funding in KY

The lack of state operational funding to local school districts in Kentucky is causing a crisis in public education throughout our state. In the video below, Dr. Bacon reinforces that recruiting and retaining staff is a critical challenge and that is primarily due to the 15-year funding gaps discussed throughout this series. Salaries for educators are approximately 25% lower than other professions with comparable education and experience. Other states are proactively raising starting salaries, while Kentucky's average starting salary lags at $38,010… To attract top talent and ensure excellence in Kentucky public education, we must advocate for fair starting salaries that align with the dedication and expertise of our educators and reward our veteran educators who have dedicated their careers and their lives to the students and communities they serve.

In this clip, Dr. Bacon provides some important background information around laws in Kentucky related to educational funding. The Kentucky Constitution is very clear – in Section 183, it mandates that the General Assembly “establish an efficient system of common schools” statewide. A historic court case placed the responsibility of funding schools solely on the General Assembly as “this obligation cannot be shifted to local counties and local school districts”. However, this is exactly what we are seeing happen today… It’s time for Kentucky to reinvest in the operational capacity of its public schools. Help us advocate for the constitutional promise of equitable and well-funded education for all Kentucky children!