Council for Better Education Budget Analysis

When adjusted for inflation, the costs associated with running Kentucky's schools eat into the 2008-09 budget leaving a net loss to the schools of $171 million. ($2 million less unadjusted) This from an analysis by the Counci for Better Education.

Districts see losses in buying power is several areas:

 The state share of the SEEK Base guarantee
 Transportation

 Vocational trans portation
 State-operated Vocational Schools
 Kentucky Teachers Retirement System (counting both line items)
 Preschool
 Professional Development
 Safe Schools
 Family Resource and Youth Service Centers (counting both line items)
 Textbooks Program
 Early Reading/Read to Achieve
 Gifted and Talented
 State Agency Children Program
 KDE Operations (estimated)
 ACT and WorkKeys Testing
 CATS Testing
 Mathematics Achievement Fund
 Commonwealth. School Improvement Fund
 Highly Skilled Educator Program
 Debt service
 KETS
 Joint Technology. Initiative (estimated)
 Education Professional Standards Board
 School Facilities Construction. Commission

That compares to several areas where buying power increases:

 The state share of Tier 1 equalization
 The state share of facilities equalization
 Nationally Certified Teachers
 Kentucky School for the Deaf
 Kentucky School for the Blind
 Health Insurance

The complete budget legislation is available for download at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/HB406.htm.

Click the blue link that says “HB 406” to download the Word Document. Search for “D. Department” as a shortcut to find the P-12 provisions.

SOURCE: Council for Better Education President Roger Marcum.