Kentucky Schools to Feel Cuts in Education Programs

This from WBKO in Bowling Green: Video.

Last month a $19 billion dollar state budget was approved for the next two years. This included some cuts to education programs that will impact students and faculty.

"Right now, the state of Kentucky is in a financial budget crisis," says Allen County's Superintendent, Randall Jackson.

Budget cuts in some school programs in Kentucky could soon take a toll on faculty and students. "The biggest concerns are cuts to faculty and staff and also to services," says Jackson.

Such services include a $5.7 million dollar cut in the Safe Schools Program. "Which is money used by school districts to help find alternative schools for students who need help and the regular high school environment is not good for them," says Kevin Noland, deputy commissioner of Kentucky's
Department of Education.

It also includes an $18.6 million dollar cut in ESS, or Extended School Services.

"Which is after school tutoring for students needing help," adds Noland.

"Our ESS budget is being cut over 60 percent,” Jackson continued.

It also includes an $8.8 million dollar cut In Professional Development for teachers.

"That helps teachers stay current and improve in the work they're doing," Noland said. "So, our big concern is some of the services we've had in the past to better educate our teachers as far as in-service as well as programs like ESS, helping them catch up if they're behind in certain areas, will be effected.”

This has many educators worried about the next couple of years.

“School districts are feeling the squeeze and will be over the next two years as July 1st gets here," says Noland.

"We hope the best for the future and we're gonna’ do our best to educate our children, but the next two years, we'll be very tight in the state," Jackson said.

"That kind of thing can hurt the moral of teachers and students," concluded Noland.

The budget goes into effect on July 1st and educators say many school districts will be feeling the brunt of the program cuts by the fall.