summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 160 to establish a process for the creation of new independent school districts from a persistently underperforming school district; define terms; establish the process for a local legislative body where a persistently underperforming school district is located to place the question of creating new independent districts and local boards of education on the ballot; specify the requirements for the questions and the board of education provisional election; establish the initial terms of office for the interim board of education; establish the transition of authorities from the originating district board of education to the boards of both the altered originating district and the new independent district; require the Kentucky Department of Education to calculate assets and liabilities of the originating district for division to the new independent districts; authorize the originating district to maintain control and use of assets until the scheduled transfer to the new independent districts and authorize the continued payments of debts; establish a negotiation process between the originating district and the new independent districts to resolve the division of the originating district's assets and liabilities; establish a deadline for the negotiation to conclude; provide a process for resolution of disagreements; establish a deadline for the transfer of all assets and debts; authorize the originating district to continue to assess and collect taxes for all districts until the close of the tax year in which the new independent districts are fully operational; provide for the distribution of collected taxes during the transition period; require the county judge/executive to call the newly elected interim boards of new independent districts to meet; allow the interim board to request assistance from the Kentucky Department of Education; establish the transition process for new independent districts to become fully functional; allow the interim board to submit a waiver request for a statute or administrative regulation to the Kentucky Board of Education; authorize the interim board to enter into service contracts with another school district during the transition; establish a process for the interim board to vote to terminate the establishment of the new independent district due to financial nonviability during the transition; establish the transition from an interim board to a fully functional board of the new independent district; require the continued collection of taxes restricted to the payment of debt or interest; waive the requirement for school-based decision making for the first year of operations of the new independent district; require the interim board of the new independent district to develop a transition plan and establish the requirements of the plan; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157, relating to state formula funding calculations, to establish a projection model for the first year of full operations of the new independent district and the altered originating district.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a process for creating new independent school districts from existing school districts that are identified as "persistently underperforming," meaning they have a significant number of schools needing comprehensive support. The bill outlines how a local legislative body, such as a county fiscal court, can initiate a vote by residents on dividing a persistently underperforming district into two or more new, independent districts. If voters approve the division, an interim school board will be elected for each new district. The bill details how the assets and liabilities of the original district will be divided between the new districts, with the Kentucky Department of Education playing a role in calculating these divisions and resolving any disagreements through negotiation or by the commissioner of education. The bill also sets timelines for the new districts to become fully operational, including requirements for developing budgets, hiring staff, and creating transition plans. During this transition period, the interim boards have specific powers and responsibilities, including the ability to request waivers for certain regulations. The bill also addresses how state funding will be calculated for these new districts in their first year of operation.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
to Primary and Secondary Education (H) (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb11.html |
| Local Mandate Fiscal Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb11/LM.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb11/orig_bill.pdf |
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