Bill > SB4

This bill establishes a new "principal leadership development practicum" managed by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to provide leadership training for new principals within their first four years of service, with the goal of improving instructional leadership in schools and ensuring no cost to the principal, and even offering a stipend for the third year of the program. The practicum will consist of four years of training, with the first two years focusing on professional learning and mentorship from experienced principals, and the third year involving an intensive summer leadership program in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, though exemptions are allowed for illness or emergencies with superintendent approval. The fourth year offers optional high-level leadership training, and participation hours in this practicum can count towards the required hours for the existing "effective instructional leadership program," which is also updated by this bill to clarify definitions and ensure alignment. Additionally, the bill makes several changes to laws concerning school board member eligibility and election processes, particularly for "large school districts" (defined as those with over 300,000 inhabitants), including establishing new division boundaries for the Jefferson County Board of Education and adjusting terms for board members in districts that transition from seven to five members, with some provisions taking effect immediately due to an declared emergency. Finally, the bill also establishes a Center of American Civics at the University of Kentucky and redesignates the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville as an independent academic unit, with both centers tasked with developing curricula for American civics education, and requires the KDE to submit an implementation plan for the principal practicum by November 2026.