Video & Transcript Research : 'prayer in schools'
Page 7 of 500
WY
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:21:06.080><c> K12</c> 18, Attendance of Students in K12 18, Attendance of Students in K12 schools
- homeschool and participating in whether it was activities or just classroom work at school districts.
- homeschool and participating in whether it was activities or just classroom work at school districts.
- Madam Chairman, for Senate File 18, Attendance of Students in K-12 Schools, Senator Brennan. Aye.
- </c><00:26:23.360><c> Senator</c> students in K K12 schools. Senator students in K K12 schools.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Baldwin County Legislation Committee Feb 25th, 2025
Baldwin County Legislation
Transcript Highlights:
- They haven't had an increase in a while, and this also would go with the Consumer Price Index, so we
- ...go with the Consumer Price Index, so we wouldn't have to look at this in the future.
- Um, we had LSA that is in the budget. That was one of the questions that came up: is this budgeted?
- They have plenty of money in that. Well, it's calendar... Any other questions? Any members?
- All those in favor, say "Aye." Aye. All those opposed, say "Nay." The bill will get a
Keywords:
HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem, supplemental compensation, county board, ad valorem tax, property tax appeal, tax assessment, mileage reimbursement, Consumer Price Index, CPI adjustment, local legislation, equalization board, taxpayer protests, property inspection, county revenue, education appropriations, supplemental appropriation, Education Trust Fund
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Education Oversight REVISED: SB2045 - Added Apr 13th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Education Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- You should be enrolled in both high school and college at the same time, hence the name concurrent.
- What protections are in place for the school district if you can't get a parent in the door to review
- Or how, if you have new teacher induction, like I was in a school that had 30 brand new teachers one
- year, would they get more than a school that only has one new teacher in a year, or is there a selection
- SB 1734 creates guardrails for the use of AI in schools.
Bills:
SB710, SB843, SB1317, SB1338, SB1410, SB1477, SB1489, SB1593, SB1614, SB1630, SB1632, SB1633, SB1670, SB1726, SB1734, SB1725, SB1735, SB1894, SB1975, SB346, SB2045
Keywords:
teacher preparation, teacher education, teacher shortage, teacher workforce, educator pipeline, alternative certification, apprenticeship, residency program, paraprofessional pathway, high school to teacher pathway, nontraditional teacher candidates, Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, TeachForwardOK, higher education, public school districts, workforce development, grant program, technical assistance provider, mastery-based assessment, emergency clause
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Education Oversight REVISED: SB2045 - Added Apr 13th, 2026
Education Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- You should be enrolled in both high school and college at the same time, hence the name concurrent.
- What protections are in place for the school district if you can't get a parent in the door to review
- Or, if you have new teacher induction, like I was in a school that had 30 brand new teachers one year
- , would they get more than a school that only has one new teacher in a year, or is there a selection
- SB 1734 creates guardrails for the use of AI in schools, requires teachers to review what AI produces
Bills:
SB710, SB843, SB1317, SB1338, SB1410, SB1477, SB1489, SB1593, SB1614, SB1630, SB1632, SB1633, SB1670, SB1726, SB1734, SB1725, SB1735, SB1894, SB1975, SB346, SB2045
Keywords:
teacher preparation, teacher education, teacher shortage, teacher workforce, educator pipeline, alternative certification, apprenticeship, residency program, paraprofessional pathway, high school to teacher pathway, nontraditional teacher candidates, Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, TeachForwardOK, higher education, public school districts, workforce development, grant program, technical assistance provider, mastery-based assessment, emergency clause
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced a long series of education-related bills, including measures on school board nepotism rules (SB 843), preserving the Ag in the Classroom program in statute (SB 1410), shifting oversight of technology centers to the State Board of Career and Technology Education (SB 1735), teacher certification and hiring transparency (SB 346), AP exam access (SB 1975), in-state tuition alignment with federal law after a consent judgment (SB 1633), teacher professional development caps (SB 1894), portability of career teacher status between districts (SB 1317), recess requirements and discipline limits (SB 2045), expanding the Teach Forward Program (SB 710), limiting concurrent enrollment to students 21 and under (SB 1477), special education training and parent-record review rights (SB 1489), a teacher induction program for new and emergency-certified teachers (SB 1614), graduate-level teacher training requirements (SB 1726), career assessment test selection and credit transfer authority (SB 1632), OSU-Tulsa governance changes (SB 1593), virtual days for certain high school students not taking the ACT (SB 1630), R&D rebate modernization (SB 1670), AI guardrails in schools (SB 1734), and security fees for student organizations that cannot be based on viewpoint or content (SB 1725). Several bills drew brief questions, especially SB 1633, SB 1489, SB 1477, SB 1614, SB 1726, and SB 1725, but no substantive opposition was recorded beyond a few nay votes on some measures.
Most bills were moved by due pass motions and approved by voice or roll-call votes, often unanimously or near-unanimously. Notable recorded opposition included SB 1633 and SB 1725, each passing with a few nays, and SB 1726 passing 7-2. SB 1338 was laid over until Wednesday. The meeting concluded with notice of another committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m., and the committee adjourned.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- They worked harder in school, and now that's become a program.
- They worked harder in school, and now that's become a program.
- They worked harder in school, and now that's become a program.
- They worked harder in school, and now that's become a program.
- Now that's harder in school and fun.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- School Board in School District.
- board member in the Battleground School Board in School District.
- When I was in high school, that was remedial school.
- equipment that they used while they were in high school or in the school system.
- equipment that they used while they were in high school or in the school system.
Keywords:
remote learning, hybrid learning, education reform, alternative education, student engagement, local food, public schools, nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, technology access, educational resources, surplus hardware, student support, 904, all
Summary:
The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Staff explained that ALE programs currently include online, remote, and site-based courses, and the bill would change terminology across multiple statutes. The prime sponsor and a retired principal testified that the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs like River Home Link, while committee members raised concerns that the new wording could unintentionally capture fully in-person programs. Testimony was largely supportive, and the public hearing closed with 52 in favor, 4 opposed, and 0 other.
The committee then heard HB 2369, which would create the Washington Local Food for Schools program within OSPI to expand procurement and distribution of Washington-grown foods to schools using the USDA food distribution system. Staff and the sponsor said the bill would codify and expand existing farm-to-school efforts, reduce logistical barriers for districts and local producers, and support local agriculture. Testifiers included OSPI, food hubs, farm-to-school advocates, school district leaders, farmers, and students, all speaking in support and describing benefits such as fresher meals, stronger local economies, and educational connections to agriculture. The hearing closed with 455 in favor, 64 opposed, and 1 other.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2432, which would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated cost, with priority for students with the greatest need. The sponsor said the bill would help students access devices for jobs, college, and postsecondary transitions, while staff noted existing law already addresses assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance officials supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of equipment and improve student access at home. The hearing closed with 57 in favor, 5 opposed, and 0 other. The chair then announced amendment deadlines for upcoming bills and adjourned the committee.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill does is allow each student at any high school in the state of Alabama to be able to take a
- To your point on what you're talking about regarding what our students are exposed to in our schools
- today, just in the school... next week in this committee.
- School, uh, next week in this committee, we're going to have a couple of experts on social media and
- We have found statistically that in middle school is where we're having the majority of the problems
Keywords:
Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, juvenile court, juvenile delinquency, school notification, student safety, K-12, public schools, private schools, superintendent, principal
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Judiciary (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I have House Bill 5 here in the House to correct this problem, and I am in full support.
- </c><00:10:01.160><c> the</c> question may have been asked in the question may have been asked in the
- /c><00:10:47.519><c> it's</c> Stevenson um in in this bill it it's Stevenson um in in this bill it it's
- Well, elective surgeries would have to be approved, in my opinion, in regards to that.
- <00:24:04.120><c> Correctional</c> state um rather in in our Correctional state um rather in in our Correctional
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:08
SB 169: 00:01:07
SB 02: 00:05:56
Discussion in Opposition to SB 02: 00:19:22, 958, all
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 169, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s authority to use administrative subpoenas in child exploitation investigations. Senator Danny Carroll and Attorney General’s office staff said the bill updates existing law to reflect modern online platforms, adding social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services so investigators can obtain limited account-holder information tied to online child exploitation cases. Members raised no opposition, and the committee approved SB 169 17-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2, which would prohibit the use of public funds for certain cosmetic or elective procedures in correctional facilities, including gender-affirming surgeries, and would also affect some hormone-related treatment. Senator Mike Wilson and supporters said the bill was intended to stop such procedures from being authorized by memo rather than regulation and to ensure taxpayer money is not used for elective care. Several members asked whether any such surgeries had occurred in Kentucky; Wilson said none had been approved, and he emphasized the bill was about public funding, not general medical care. Supporters argued the state should not pay for elective procedures, while opponents said the bill targeted a tiny population and could create constitutional problems.
Opponents included incarcerated and advocacy voices, a psychologist, and legal advocates, who said gender-affirming care is medically necessary for some patients, that withholding it can cause serious mental health harm, and that similar restrictions have faced court challenges. One speaker described personal harm from being denied hormone therapy while incarcerated. Another warned the bill could violate the Eighth Amendment and lead to costly litigation. After debate, the committee moved to vote on SB 2, with members giving explanations both for and against, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is shown.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Personnel, Public Retirement, & Finance (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- the in our Commonwealth and and uh we in the in our Commonwealth and and uh we do<00:05:11.280><c> want
- </c> good about uh you know again the the in good about uh you know again the the in large<00:07:11.680
- </c> meetings throughout session and even in meetings throughout session and even in the<00:09:06.399
- </c> stuff we'll we'll start pulling in stuff we'll we'll start pulling in members<00:09:58.200><c> to
- make it in good I didn't make it in yesterday<00:10:55.279><c> oh</c><00:10:55.560><c> okay</c> I<00
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Status of Hiring Four Project Managers within Facilities & Support Services in HB6 from the 24RS 00:02:01
Attendance Roll Call 00:09:32, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance, and Administrative Cabinet met for an informational update, with the new chair noting the committee does not vote on issues and is mainly reviewing implementation of budgeted items. The main presentation came from Scott Baker of the Finance Cabinet’s Office of Facility Development and Efficiency, who explained how the office has shifted experienced staff to lead Department of Parks projects and hired new staff to be trained into project management roles. He said the office is managing 146 ongoing parks projects and has moved from weekly to biweekly meetings as work has progressed.
Baker said the budgeted staffing changes were intended to speed project delivery while maintaining expertise, since state project management also requires knowledge of procurement law and other Commonwealth-specific rules. He described the workload as heavy, with 15 project managers handling 1,149 active projects, including one western Kentucky manager overseeing 127 projects, and said the office is trying to add more staff and create new positions to improve recruiting. Members asked about staffing levels and workload, and Baker said the office is not overstaffed but is competing with a strong construction industry for talent.
Committee members praised the office’s work on parks projects, noting campground and infrastructure needs at places like Lake Barkley and emphasizing prudent use of the large capital budgets approved in recent years. No votes were taken because the subcommittee lacked a quorum, as some members were in other committee meetings. The chair said the committee would continue to meet during session and interim periods and adjourned the meeting after the update.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> special education in private schools. special education in private schools.
- in public school and in private school, um, I find it pretty appalling that apparently our public schools
- in public school and in private school, um, I find it pretty appalling that apparently our public schools
- in public school and in private school, um, I find it pretty appalling that apparently our public schools
- </c> get better in my middle school. get better in my middle school.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Education Policy Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This applies to any school-sponsored athletic event or practice in which students are participating.
- In schools with student athletes.
- In schools with automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, approximately 70% of these children survive
- I think we found a specific school in Mobile.
- We found a specific school in Mobile County that's been most of the problem.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government (3-9-23)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDuykP7QmY, 2026-06-21T07:17:03+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, MEETING START 00:00
DELAY ROLL CALL 00:10
DISCUSSION WITH STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, KAREN SELLERS, RACHEL POYNTER, & TOM WATSON ON 00:46
UPDATES ON IN HOUSE POLL ELECTRONIC POLL BOOK PROJECT IN KY, PROJECT INVESTMENTS TO DATE,
PERSONNEL ADDITIONS, TRAINING, & EQUIPMENT.
DISCUSSION WITH KY OFFICE OF BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT, MEGHAN SANDFOSS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 15:03
CONCERNING FUNDING & DEVELOPMENTS.
ROLL CALL 29:33, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- these schools on base and spent most of my growing-up life in military-base schools until I hit junior
- And in Clover Park School District, there are many military families.
- We also are one of the poorest school districts in Pierce County.
- We also are one of the poorest school districts in Pierce County.
- As you know, I'm a former school board director, wanting to know if the Clover Park School Board is in
Keywords:
HB2470, school construction assistance, capital budget, school facilities, on-base schools, military base schools, military installations, public school construction, school plant projects, state funding assistance, superintendent of public instruction, OSPI, school capital funding, instructional space, school district construction, alternative learning experience, ALE, free and reduced-price meals, special housing burden, district growth
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on three capital-related bills. HB 2353 would raise the pre-design threshold for state-funded capital projects from $10 million to $15 million and require annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2027. Staff and the prime sponsor said the change would reduce delays and costs for projects, with testimony from Steve DuPont supporting the bill as a way to avoid unnecessary pre-design work and construction escalation. The hearing on HB 2420 covered increases to the Small Works Roster threshold for public works contracts, with a proposed substitute delaying the first increase to January 1, 2027. Representative Zahn and several stakeholders, including universities, cities, ports, counties, and water districts, testified in support, saying the bill would reduce administrative burden, speed projects, and better reflect current construction costs.
The committee also heard HB 2470, which would change School Construction Assistance Program rules for school facilities located on military bases. Staff explained that on-base instructional space would be excluded from district inventory calculations, increasing eligibility, and that state assistance would be based on project cost minus federal funding. Representative Leavitt said the bill would help districts like Clover Park and Medical Lake better serve military families. OSPI, Clover Park School District, and the Veterans Legislative Coalition testified in support, though OSPI noted it was working on an amendment to replace a federal-funding backfill with a 15% increase in the SCAP funding assistance percentage to comply with federal law.
In executive session, the committee moved HB 2338, which would make community-scaled projects eligible under the Department of Commerce low-income weatherization program, out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by a 17-0 vote, with two members excused. The committee then held a work session with the Recreation and Conservation Office on its competitive grant programs, including the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, youth athletic facilities, community forests, aquatic lands, boating, firearms and archery ranges, and federal trail and conservation programs. Members asked about demand, ADA compliance, match requirements, geographic distribution, and outreach to underserved communities; RCO said it uses advisory committees, regional allocation methods in some programs, and technical assistance to broaden access and improve distribution.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology.(6-28-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, in in in the Commonwealth in 2025.
- We do a lot of work on bringing in school field trips, more about that in a second.
- Uh we do a lot of work on bringing<00:20:54.280><c> in</c><00:20:54.400><c> school</c><00:20:54.720><
- bringing in school field trips, more about<00:20:55.600><c> that</c><00:20:55.720><c> in</c><00:20:55.760
- in our schools<00:50:25.400><c> and</c><00:50:26.040><c> communities.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12
America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15
America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains.
The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state.
The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026.
The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Local school districts are able to waive physical education requirements in Washington state history
- I mean, so as a High School and Beyond plan, are they in discussion with—in other words, because we've
- I am a National Board Certified School Counselor in the Edmonds School District at Mountlake Terrace
- In my 23 years of experience as a school counselor in the state of Washington, I know that the transmission
- No student should have a disadvantage just based on the school that they grow up in.
Keywords:
digital transcript, transcript sharing, student records, education data exchange, K-12, higher education, community colleges, universities, school districts, charter schools, state-tribal education compact schools, educational service districts, data interoperability, secure platform, student consent, FERPA, privacy, education technology, records management, transcript standard
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several education bills. Senate Bill 6051 would let local school boards grant waivers or partial waivers of certain state laws and rules to individual schools, with limits on waiving health and safety, civil rights, basic education, records, and constitutional requirements. Supporters said it could give districts flexibility and reveal recurring burdens or unfunded mandates; opponents including WEA, OSPI, and the State Board of Education warned it was too broad, could weaken protections such as special education, and would create inconsistent oversight. The committee also discussed whether waivers would be granted by school boards or reviewed by OSPI, and staff clarified the bill gives waiver authority to local school boards, with reporting to OSPI and the State Board afterward.
Senate Bill 6052 would create a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment for K-12 and higher education, with a secure standard for exchanging transcript data and student-controlled, revocable permission for disclosure. Testifiers from universities, OSPI, school districts, and school counselors supported the bill, saying it would reduce paper handling, staff time, errors, and delays in admissions, while helping students and families navigate transcript requests more easily. Questions focused on alignment with the High School and Beyond plan, security, and whether the system would also support apprenticeships, CTE, and other postsecondary pathways.
Senate Bill 5907 would expand access to ECEAP for military families with incomes below a set threshold and add prioritization for deployed or single-custodial military parents. The sponsor and supporters from ESDs, school districts, early learning groups, and veterans organizations said military families face frequent moves, deployments, child care instability, and related stress, and that the bill would provide a modest, cost-effective benefit without a state fiscal impact. After the hearings, the committee took executive action: it adopted a substitute and passed SB 5860 to Ways and Means, and adopted a substitute and passed SB 5574 to Rules.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (7-24-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the selling school that we've always operated for to mop up the war on coal in our area, to mop up
- </c> are discussed in more detail in the are discussed in more detail in the needs<00:38:14.080><c> assessment
- will also draw people in and keep them in.
- will also draw people in and keep them in.
- will also draw people in and keep them in.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26
Approval of Minutes 00:02:27
LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42
Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide.
Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify.
After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (6-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So there are a few different buckets of money that can pay for school facilities in Kentucky. this many
- You know, on an elementary school, if they put in a cost of $10 million, it's not realistic.
- Are these still available for these schools, or are they in motion to be spent?
- motion</c> for these schools or are they in motion for these schools or are they in motion to<00:19:12.240
- Um it's probably built in Middle School.
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:00:00
Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13
Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33
Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all
Summary:
The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match.
The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium.
Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Education Policy Committee Apr 16th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I would ask that we might remember him in prayer as well.
- The prayer would have to go on during the school day, but it has to go before school or after school
- Not high school, but in college? No. Okay. They can pick up sports in college if they want. Okay.
- in high school?
- In other words, they're in high school.
TX