GOSHEN, Ky. (WDRB) -- Since taking office, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has pushed for higher public school salaries.
Recruiting in Jefferson County Public Schools, Oldham County Schools and beyond is an issue. Beshear wanted to see 11% raises, but Republican leaders in the Kentucky House don't see that as a state responsibility.
"I think it's more appropriate for them to make those decisions locally," Rep. David Osborne, R-Prospect, said earlier this month. "I know that some people disagree with that, but we think that's the best for our budget."
Gov. Andy Beshear visited Harmony Elementary School in Goshen as the final touches were put on new crosswalks. Jan. 22, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Beshear visited Harmony Elementary School in Goshen on Monday as the final touches are being put on new crosswalks. In July 2021, Beshear presented a $1.8 million check to students from Harmony Elementary, money to go toward adding turning lanes along Highway 1793, reducing traffic backups for North Oldham High School, North Oldham Middle School and Harmony Elementary.
"That's been a concern," said Jason Radford, superintendent of Oldham County Schools.
Beshear announced in April 2021 that the state would invest $23 million in highway safety projects near schools. KYTC used a statewide map of every school and layered it with recent crash data.
From there, the department identified 70 improvement projects, Harmony Elementary being one of them.
House Republicans are proposing an increase in SEEK transportation funding over the next two years, more than $300 million each year. But Beshear argues that this amount means the issue is still not fully funded and puts some of the blame of the JCPS bus woes on Republicans.
"They get to in the second year of this budget up to 90%. But those are critical dollars," Beshear said. "I mean, missing 10% of your required amount in one year, and about 15 in another year, means that the schools have to cannibalize money going to other places."
When asked about the increase in SEEK funding last week, Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, pointed out that while it does go up, there are factors at play. One of those is local real estate appreciation. The other is the student population.
"Now we're going up 4% in the first year, and 2% in the second year. And you're thinking, it's got to be bigger than that," Petrie said. "Don't forget, it's a formula that the money passes through. So there is no one-for-one calculation, there are lots of factors, primarily these. We still have a student enrollment decline in Kentucky, but the bottom is starting to come back up."
The governor is continuing his push for universal Pre-K, which is facing resistance from the House and the Senate in Frankfort.
"I don't think there's much appetite in our chamber for it," Osborne previously said.
Beshear is projecting optimism on the issue, though, since the budget process is only just beginning.
For a full list of the state's 70 transportation improvement projects, click here.
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