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--- version:Acts Chapter 154+++ version:(document, no version)@@ -1,794 +1,259 @@-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--1-CHAPTER 154-( SB 4 )-AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.-Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:-SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 156 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:-(1) As used in this section:-(a) "Department" means the Kentucky Department of Education; and-(b) "Principal" means a person who:-1. Is the primary administrator and instructional leader of a public school or program;-2. Supervises students and school employees; and-3. Is selected by the district's superintendent pursuant to KRS 160.345.-(2) There is hereby established the principal leadership development practicum to provide all new principals-within the first four (4) years of experience in the position with leadership development training. It is the-intent of the Gene ral Assembly to ensure that a school district or principal incurs no cost for the-participation in the practicum and the principal receives a stipend toward the cost of the third year of the-practicum. The Kentucky Department of Education shall develop and operate the practicum, subject to the-following provisions:-(a) The practicum shall operate based on cohorts of new principals and offer four (4) years of leadership-development training with specific requirements in each year. The department shall annual ly-establish a calendar for the operation of the practicum;-(b) Each year's cohort of new principals shall consist of those people who first became principals by-September 1 of each year;-(c) The department shall establish the minimum requirements for succ essful completion of each year,-including hours of instruction or specific work products;-(d) The first and second year of the practicum shall provide professional learning and mentorship-supports to new principals, subject to the following:-1. The mentors shall have significant and successful experience as a principal and may be-currently employed in a school district or retired. The mentors shall provide ongoing support-to the new principals through the first and second school year with regular personal s essions-to provide individualized support to the new principal;-2. The mentorship shall also provide the cohort of new principals an opportunity to build a peer-support network;-3. The professional learning provided by the department shall be aligned to th e most recent-professional standards adopted by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration-and include, at a minimum, the following topics:-a. Personnel evaluation and feedback;-b. School-based decision making and school councils;-c. Implementation of instructional leadership, high -quality instructional materials, and-curriculum alignment;-d. Assessment and accountability;-e. Multitiered systems of support;-f. Services for exceptional children and youth; and-g. School safety; and-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2-4. Professional learning under subparagraph 3. of this paragraph shall utilize any existing-trainings required in administrative regulation or statute or developed by the department.-Additional professional learning developed by the department shall first be ap proved by the-Kentucky Board of Education;-(e) The third year of the practicum shall require, as funds are available, that the new principal-participate in an intensive leadership program during the summer with follow -up sessions-throughout the following y ear. The leadership program shall be established by the department in-partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. A new principal shall be exempted from the-requirements of this paragraph if:-1. The new principal misses the intensive leadership progr am during the summer due to illness-or an emergency;-2. The absence is approved by the superintendent of the school district in which the new-principal is employed; and-3. The new principal completes an alternative program established by the department; an d-(f) The fourth year of the practicum shall not be mandatory but shall provide high -level leadership-training options for new principals. The department shall establish the standards for training-providers and the trainings under this paragraph, including the number of hours required. The-department shall maintain a list of training providers who are eligible to provide the high -level-leadership training and make it available to new principals; and-(g) After the fourth year, each principal shall continue l eadership development through the effective-instructional leadership program established in Section 2 of this Act.-(3) A principal may submit the participant hours of instruction that the principal earns under this section-during a year toward the twenty-one (21) participant hours required by the effective instructional leadership-program established in Section 2 of this Act. The department shall grant program credit for the verified-hours the principal submits.-(4) If a person discontinues serving as a pr incipal during the first four (4) years of service and subsequently-returns to a principal position, then that person shall continue the new principal program for the year in-which the person was previously participating.-(5) The principal leadership development practicum required under this section shall begin on July 1, 2027, for-the 2027 -2028 school year with a cohort of principals with less than one (1) year of experience in the-position. Subsequent cohorts shall be admitted as provided in subsection (2 ) of this section.-(6) The Kentucky Board of Education may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS-Chapter 13A for the operation of the section.-Section 2. KRS 156.101 is amended to read as follows:-(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage and require the maintenance and development of effective-instructional leadership in the public schools of the Commonwealth and to recognize that principals, with the-assistance of assistant principals, supervisors of instruction, g uidance counselors, and directors of special-education, have the primary responsibility for instructional leadership in the schools to which they are-assigned.-(2) As used in [For the purpose of] this section, "instructional leader" means[shall be defined a s] an employee of-the public schools of the Commonwealth employed as a principal, assistant principal, supervisor of instruction,-guidance counselor, director of special education, or other administrative position deemed by the Education-Professional Standards Board to require an administrative certificate.-(3) In order to carry out the purpose of this section, the Kentucky Board of Education shall establish a statewide-program to improve and maintain the quality [ and effectiveness] of effective instructional leadership in the-public schools of the Commonwealth.-(4) The effective instructional leadership [instructional leader improvement] program shall contain the following-provisions:-(a) Each instructional leader employed by the public schools of the Common wealth shall participate in a-continuing intensive training program designed especially for instructional leaders;-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--3-(b) Each instructional leader shall annually complete an intensive training program approved by the-Kentucky Board of Education to include no fewer than twenty-one (21) participant hours of instruction .-Hours completed by participants in the principal leadership development practicum under Section 1-of this Act may be substituted to satisfy this requirement;-(c) The Kentucky Board of Education shall prescribe specific criteria for the training program. The-Kentucky Department of Education may contract for specific training with qualified agencies or-institutions or approve programs offered by training providers, including local distric t training-programs, except that the department shall ensure the requirements of paragraph (d) of this subsection-are met; and-(d) Annually, each local district superintendent shall report to the Kentucky Department of Education any-instructional leader wh o fails to complete the training requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection-and shall place the leader on probation for one (1) year. The Department of Education shall verify-completion of the required training. If the required training for the prior year and the current year is not-completed during the probationary period, the Department of Education shall forward the information-to the Education Professional Standards Board, which shall revoke the instructional leader's certificate.-(5) The Kentucky Department of Education shall ensure that training options in human resource management and-conflict resolution techniques are available to education leaders throughout the state.-(6) This section shall be known as the ["]Effective Instructional Leadership Act.["]-Section 3. KRS 161.027 is amended to read as follows:-(1) The Education Professional Standards Board, pursuant to KRS 161.028, shall by administrative regulation-establish requirements for a preparation program in institutions of higher educat ion for all new applicants for-principal certification and establish criteria for admission to the program.-(2) The Education Professional Standards Board and the Council on Postsecondary Education shall evaluate the-preparation programs for principals and maintain only those institutional programs that can demonstrate both-the quality and the capability to enroll adequate numbers of students to justify the resources necessary for-maintenance of a quality program.-(3) The Education Professional Standards Bo ard shall develop or select appropriate assessments for applicants-seeking certification as principals, including an assessment of the ability to apply knowledge, instructional-leadership, management, and supervision skills.-(4) The Education Professional Standards Board shall establish the minimum score for successful completion of-assessments and shall establish a reasonable fee to be charged applicants for the actual cost of administration-of the assessments. The Education Professional Standards Board sh all provide for confidentiality of-assessment scores.-(5) [The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop an internship program which shall provide for the-supervision, assistance, and assessment of beginning principals and assistant principals. The internship shall-not be required of applicants who have completed, within a ten (10) year period prior to making application, at-least two (2) years of successful experience as a principal in a school situation. The Education Professional-Standards Board, by administrative regulation, shall establish the internship program.-(6) ]The certification of principals shall require the successful completion of the examinations required by-subsection (3) of this section. A one (1) year certificate may be given t o a person who has:-(a) A comparable certificate from another state; or-(b) All other qualifications except the assessments and is selected as a principal or assistant principal in a-district where the superintendent certifies to the Education Professional Standards Board that there is a-limited number of applicants to meet the requirements.- Upon successful completion of the assessments, a certificate shall be issued for an additional four (4) years. A-person employed in Kentucky as a principal or assistan t principal who was certified in another state and-practiced in that state for two (2) or more years is exempt from taking the assessment described in subsection-(3)(a) of this section.-(6)[(7)] Upon successful completion of the approved preparation progra m and the assessments, the Education-Professional Standards Board shall issue to the applicant a statement of eligibility for internship valid for five-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 4-(5) years. If the applicant does not gain employment as a principal [participate in an internship program ]-within the five (5) year period, the applicant shall reestablish eligibility by repeating and passing the-assessments in effect at that time or by completing a minimum of six (6) graduate hours, directly related to-instructional leadership, management, o r supervision, at a regionally or nationally accredited institution. The-option for renewal through completion of graduate hours shall be available only for the first reestablishment of-eligibility. Upon obtaining employment for an internship position as p rincipal or assistant principal within the-period of eligibility, the applicant shall be issued the appropriate one (1) year certificate for the position.-(7)[(8)] [All applicants for principal certification, after successfully completing the assessments, shall-successfully complete the internship program described in subsection (5) of this section for principal-certification. If the principal's or assistant principal's internship performance is judged to be less than-satisfactory pursuant to administrative regulations developed by the Education Professional Standards Board,-the applicant for principal certification shall be provided with an opportunity to repeat the internship one (1)-time if the applicant is employed by a school district as a principal or assistant principal.-(9) ]Following successful completion of the first year of principalship [internship program] , the principal-certificate shall be extended for four (4) years. Renewal of the certificate shall require the completion of a-continuing education requirement as prescribed by the Education Professional Standards Board.-Section 4. KRS 156.492 is amended to read as follows:-(1) The Kentucky Department of Education may enter into an agreement with any building and construction trade-organization to develop a training program for school counselors providing services to students in the-Commonwealth. The purpose of the training program shall be to promote building and construction trades and-training facilities available to students by making school counselors aware of what is available to students-participating in the building and construction trade. The training program shall include information relating to:-(a) The pay and benefits available to people who work in the building and construction trad es; and-(b) Job opportunities, pre -apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and pathways within the building and-construction trade industry.-(2) The participating trade organization shall ensure ample opportunities for school counselors that serve grades-seven (7) through twelve (12) to complete the training created under subsection (1) of this section annually and-shall bear all costs associated with the training. The participating trade organization may choose to offer-professional development opportunities to teachers who serve students in grades seven (7) through twelve-(12), if resources are available for this purpose.-(3) The department shall include the training program created in this section on the electronic consumer bulletin-board created pursuant to KRS 156.095(8) if requested by the training program.-(4) A school counselor serving students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) may complete four (4) hours of-training developed under this section which shall count towards the twenty -one (21) hours requ ired annually-pursuant to KRS 156.101(4)(b)[2].-(5) Local boards of education or school -based decision making councils may incorporate this training as part of-the four (4) days of professional development required pursuant to KRS 158.070(3)(a) for teacher s who serve-students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) if offered by the participating trade organization.-Section 5. KRS 160.160 is amended to read as follows:-(1) As used in this section and Sections 7 and 8 of this Act, "large school district" means a school district that-has more than three hundred thousand (300,000) inhabitants.-(2) Each school district shall be under the management and control of a board of education consisting of five (5)-members[, except in counties containing a city of the first class wherein a merger pursuant to KRS 160.041-shall have been accomplished which shall have seven (7) members elected from the divisions and in the-manner prescribed by KRS 160.210(5),] to be known as the "Board of Education of ...., Kentucky." Each-board of education shall be a body politic and corporate with perpetual succession. It may sue and be sued;-make contracts; expend funds necessary for liability insurance premiums and for the defense of any civil-action brought ag ainst an individual board member in his or her official or individual capacity, or both, on-account of an act made in the scope and course of his or her performance of legal duties as a board member;-purchase, receive, hold, and sell property; issue its bo nds to build and construct improvements; and do all-things necessary to accomplish the purposes for which it is created. Each board of education shall elect a-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--5-chair[chairman] and vice chair[chairman] from its membership in a manner and for a term prescribe d by the-board not to exceed two (2) years.-(3)[(2)] No board of education shall participate in any financing of school buildings, school improvements,-appurtenances thereto, or furnishing and equipment, including education technology equipment without:-(a) First establishing the cost of the project in advance of financing, based on the receipt of advertised,-public, and competitive bids for such project, in accordance with KRS Chapter 424; and-(b) Establishing the cost of financing in advance of the sale o f any bonds, certificates of participation in any-leases, or other evidences of financial commitments issued by or on behalf of such board. Any bonds,-leases, participations, or other financial arrangements shall not involve a final commitment of the board-until the purchaser or lender involved shall have been determined by public advertising in accordance-with KRS Chapter 424.-(4)[(3)] No board of education shall make a mortgage, lien, or other encumbrance upon any school building-owned by the board, or tr ansfer title to any such school building as part of any financing arrangement, without-the specific approval of the Department of Education, and without the transaction being entered into pursuant-to a detailed plan or procedure specifically authorized by Kentucky statute.-(5)[(4)] Without the approval of the Department of Education, no board may lease, as lessee, a building or-public facility that has been or is to be financed at the request of the board or on its behalf through the issuance-of bonds by an other public body or by a nonprofit corporation serving as an agency and instrumentality of the-board, or by a leasing corporation. Any lease, participation, or other financial arrangement shall not involve a-final commitment of the board unless and until the purchaser or lender involved in same shall have been-determined by public advertising in accordance with KRS Chapter 424. No transaction shall be entered into by-the board except upon the basis of public advertising and competitive bidding in accordanc e with KRS Chapter-424.-(6)[(5)] A school district may issue general obligation bonds in accordance with KRS Chapter 66.-(7)[(6)] Rental payments due by a board under a lease approved by the Department of Education in accordance-with subsection (5)[(4)] of this section, and debt service payments under a general obligation bond issued in-accordance with this section, shall be due and payable not less than ten (10) days prior to the interest due date-for the bonds, notes, or other debt obligations issued to f inance the building or public facility. If a board fails-to make a rental payment when due under a lease or a debt service payment when due for a general obligation-bond issue, upon notification to the Department of Education by the paying agent, bond regi strar, or trustee for-the bonds not less than three (3) days prior to the interest due date, the Department of Education shall withhold-or intercept any funds then due the board to the extent of the amount of the required payment on the bonds and-remit the amount to the paying agent, bond registrar, or trustee as appropriate. Thereafter, the Department of-Education shall resolve the matter with the board and adjust remittances to the board to the extent of the-amount paid by the Department of Education on the board's behalf.-(8)[(7)] Bonds, notes, or leases negotiated to provide education technology shall not be sold for longer than-seven (7) years or the useful life of the equipment as established by the state technology master plan,-whichever is less.-(9)[(8)] Notwithstanding any requirements of public advertising, competitive bidding, or approval by the-Department of Education, or any administrative regulation promulgated pursuant to KRS 156.160(1)(o), a-local board may authorize the transfer or sale of th e district's real or personal property to another governmental-or quasi-governmental agency in exchange for money or a similar type of property that equals or exceeds the-fair market value of the district property as determined by an independent appraisal conducted by:-(a) An individual or organization not affiliated with the district or its officers or employees, using a-generally accepted national or professional standard; or-(b) A district's officers or employees using a nationally published valuation of property based on the most-recent edition of the publication.-Section 6. KRS 160.200 is amended to read as follows:-(1) All elections for members of boards of education shall be in even numbered years, for a term of four (4)-years[, except as provided in KRS 160.210(5)] . Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the-elections shall be held at the regular November election.-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 6-(2) In each even numbered year, there shall be held an election in every county and independent district to fill the-membership of the boards of education for the terms that will expire on the first Monday in January following,-and the regularly elected members shall hold office for four (4) years and until their successors are elected and-have qualified.-(3) Any independent school district embracing a designated city may, at the discretion of its board of education,-hold its election of board members at its public school building on the first Saturday in May. The election shall-be held by three (3) officers appointed by the board of education and the expenses of the election shall be paid-from the treasury of the school district. In all other respects the provisions of this chapter relating to holding-elections for board members shall apply.-(4) [In counties containing a cit y of the first class, wherein a merger pursuant to KRS 160.041 shall have been-accomplished, the terms of the members shall be as provided in KRS 160.210(5). Elected members of such-boards, excepting those boards of education representing ten percent (10%) or less of the student population of-the county serving at the effective date of such a merger shall continue to serve until their term expires, but no-appointments shall be made to fill vacancies. The terms of office of members of boards of education-representing ten percent (10%) or less of the student population of the county shall expire on the effective date-of the merger.-(5) ]As used in this section, "designated city" means a city classified as a city of the fifth class as of January 1,-2014, under the city classification system in effect prior to January 1, 2015. The Department of Education-shall, on or before January 1, 2015, create an official registry listing the cities that qualify as a "designated-city" under this section and shall publish that registry on its website[Web site].-Section 7. KRS 160.180 is amended to read as follows:-(1) As used in this section, "relative" means father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, and daughter.-(2) A person shall only be eligible for membership on a board of education if the person:-(a) Has attained the age of twenty-four (24) years;-(b) Has been a citizen of Kentucky for at least three (3) years preceding the election and is a voter of the-district for which he or she is elected;-(c) Has completed at least the twelfth grade or has been issued a High School Equivalency Diploma, as-evidenced by:-1. An affidavit signed under penalty of perjury certifying completion of the twelfth grade or the-equivalent that has been filed with the nominating petition required by KRS 118.315; or-2. A transcript evidencing completion of the twelfth grade or the results of a twelfth grade-equivalency examination that has been filed with the nominating petition required by KRS-118.315;-(d) Does not hold any elective federal, state, county, or city office;-(e) Is not, at the time of his or her election, directly or indirectly interested in the sale to the board of books,-stationery, or any other property, materials, supplies, equipment, or services for whi ch school funds are-expended;-(f) Has not been removed from membership on a board of education for cause; [ and]-(g) Does not have a relative employed by the school district, in the case of a person elected after July 13,-1990. This shall not apply to a boa rd member holding office on July 13, 1990, whose relative was not-initially hired by the district during the tenure of the board member; and-(h) For boards of education of large school districts, is not an employee of a board of education in the-Commonwealth whose position requires work on more than one hundred (100) days per year .-(3) (a) A member of a board of education shall be subject to removal from office pursuant to KRS 415.050 and-415.060 if, after the election the member:-1. Becomes interested in a ny contract with or claims against the board, of the kind mentioned in-subsection (2)(e) of this section;-2. Moves his or her residence from the division for which he or she was chosen;-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--7-3. Attempts to influence the employment of any school employee, except the superintendent or-school board attorney;-4. Is convicted of a felony;-5. Performs acts of malfeasance in performance of duties prescribed by law;-6. Willfully misuses, converts, or misappropriates public property or funds; or-7. Does anything that would render the member ineligible for reelection.-(b) In accordance with KRS 7.410, the Office of Education Accountability shall have the duty and-responsibility to investigate current local board of education members for allegations of conduct-prohibited by paragraph (a) of this subsection. After review and investigation, the Office of Education-Accountability shall refer appropriate matters to the Attorney General.-(4) A member of a board of education shall be eligible for reelection unless he or she become s disqualified.-(5) The annual in -service training requirements for all members of boards of education in office as of December-31, 2014, shall be as follows:-(a) Twelve (12) hours for members with zero to three (3) years of experience;-(b) Eight (8) hours for members with four (4) to seven (7) years of experience; and-(c) Four (4) hours for members with eight (8) or more years of experience.- The Kentucky Board of Education shall identify the criteria for fulfilling this requirement.-(6) (a) For all member s of boards of education who begin their initial service on or after January 1, 2015, the-in-service training requirements shall be:-1. Twelve (12) hours for members with zero to eight (8) years of experience each year, which shall-include a minimum of:-a. One (1) hour of ethics training each year; and-b. One (1) hour of open meetings and open records training within the first twelve (12)-months of initial service and at least once every four (4) years thereafter; and-2. Eight (8) hours for members with more than eight (8) years of experience each year, which shall-include a minimum of:-a. One (1) hour of ethics training each year; and-b. One (1) hour of open meetings and open records training at least once every four (4)-years.-(b) Training topics f or members under this subsection with less than two (2) years of consecutive service-shall include three (3) hours of finance and one (1) hour of superintendent evaluation within the first-two (2) years of service. The Kentucky Board of Education shall ide ntify criteria for fulfilling this-requirement.-Section 8. KRS 160.210 is amended to read as follows:-(1) In independent school districts, the members of the school board shall be elected from the district at large. In-county school districts, members shall be elected from divisions.-(2) The board of education of each county school district shall [, not later than July 1, 1940,] divide its district into-five (5) divisions containing integral voting precincts and as equal in population insofar as is practi cable. In[-first] dividing the county district into divisions the board shall, if more than one (1) of its members reside in-one (1) division, determine by lot which member from that division shall represent that division, and which-members shall represent the divisions in which no member resides. The members so determined to represent-divisions in which no member resides shall be considered the members from those divisions until their terms-expire, and thereafter the members from those divisions shall be n ominated and elected as provided in KRS-160.200 and 160.220 to 160.250.-(3) Any changes made in division boundary lines shall be to make divisions as equal in population and containing-integral voting precincts insofar as is practical. No change may be mad e in division boundary lines less than-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 8-five (5) years after the last change in any division lines, except in case of merger of districts, a change in-territory due to annexation, or to allow compliance with KRS 117.055(2).-(4) (a) Notwithstanding the provi sions of subsection (3) of this section, if one hundred (100) residents of a-county school district division petition the Kentucky Board of Education stating that the school district-divisions are not divided as nearly equal in population as can reasonably be expected, the chief state-school officer shall cause an investigation to determine the validity of the petition, the investigation to-be completed within thirty (30) days after receipt of the petition.-(b) If the investigation reveals the school distri ct to be unequally divided according to population, the-Kentucky Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the chief state school officer, shall order-the local board of education to make changes in school district divisions as are necessary to equali ze-population within the five (5) school divisions.-(c) If any board fails to comply with the order of the Kentucky Board of Education within thirty (30) days-or prior to August 1 in any year in which any members of the board are to be elected, members sha ll be-elected from the district at large until the order of the Kentucky Board of Education has been complied-with.-(d) No change shall be made in the boundary of any division under the provisions of this subsection after-August 1 in the year in which a member of the school board is to be elected from any division.-(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) of this section:[, ]-(a) In large school districts [counties containing a city of the first class wherein a merger pursuant to KRS-160.041 shal l have been accomplished] , there shall be five (5) [ Seven (7)] divisions as equal in-population as is practicable, with members elected from divisions. To be eligible to be elected from a-division, a candidate shall[must] reside in that division. The county school district divisions[, based-upon 1970 United States Census Bureau Reports on total population by census tracts] for Jefferson-County, Kentucky , shall be as provided in Section 9 of this Act [follows: Division One shall include-census tracts 1 -28; Division Two shall include census tracts 29 -35, 47-53, 57-74, 80-84, 93, 129, 130;-Division Three shall include census tracts 75 -79, 85 -88, 98 -106, 107.01, 108; Division Four shall-include census tracts 121.01, 123 -128; Division Five shall include census tra cts 36 -46, 56, 90, 120,-121.02, 122; Division Six shall include census tracts 54, 55, 91, 92, 94, 95, 110.02, 113, 114, 117.01,-117.02, 118, 119; Division Seven shall include census tracts 89, 96, 97, 107.02, 109, 110.01, 111, 112,-115, 116, 117.03, 131, 132.]; and-(b) The terms of the members [ to be elected] , KRS 160.044 notwithstanding, shall be four (4) years [ and-the election for the initial four (4) year terms shall be as follows: The election of the members from-Divisions Two, Four and Seven shall be held at the next regular November election following the-effective date of the merger pursuant to KRS 160.041, and the election of the members from Divisions-One, Three, Five and Six shall be held at the regular November election two (2) years thereafter] .-(6) [In counties containing cities of the first class, ] Responsibility for the establishment and[or] the changing of-school board division boundaries of large school districts shall be with the county[local] board of education,-subject to the review and approval of the county board of elections. Where division and census tract-boundaries do not coincide with existing election precinct boundaries, school board divisions shall be redrawn-to comply with precinct boundaries. In no instance shall precinct boundaries be redrawn nor shall a precinct be-divided to accommodate the drawing of school board division lines. [Precinct boundaries nearest existing-school board division boundaries shall become the new division boundary. ] All changes under this-section[statute] shall be completed on or before [ January 1, 1979, and on or before] January 1 in any [-succeeding] year in which a member of the [ school] board is to be elected from any division. A record of all-changes in division lines shall be kept in the offices of the county board of education and the county board of-elections. The board of education shall publish all changes pursuant to KRS Chapter 424. A copy of the-newspaper in which the notice is published shall b e filed with the chief state school officer within ten (10)-days following its publication.-SECTION 9. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 160 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:-(1) The divisions for the Jefferson County Board of Education shall be based upon the precinct identification-codes and precinct boundaries maintained by the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as of March 19, 2026.-The divisions shall be composed of the following territory in Jefferson County that is part of the Jefferson-County School District:-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--9-(a) Division One shall consist of the following territory:- G140 G141 G143 G144 G145 G146 G150- G156 G161 G169 G174 G177 G186 G189- G190 G191 G192 G193 J173 J174 K110- K111 K112 K113 K114 K116 K117 K122- K123 K125 K140 K142 K150 K155 K159- K160 K161 K162 K163 K164 K165 K167- K169 K170 K171 K172 K173 K176 K177- K178 K179 L169 L170 L171 L172 L173- L174 L175 L176 L195 L203 L204 L205- L206 L207 L208 L216 L217 L218 L219- L220 M107 M110 M121 M129 M181 M185- M186 M188 M189 M191 M192 M193 M194- M195 M196 M197 M198 M199 M201 M202- M203 N101 N102 N103 N104 N105 N106- N107 N115 N117 N128 N134 N135 N136- N145 N147 N148 N152 N157 N162 N163- N164 N165 N167 N171 N173 N179 O105- O107 O112 O117 O119 O121 O127 O135- O136 O145 O146 O147 O150 O151 O152- O153 O154-(b) Division Two shall consist of the following territory:- C123 C124 C128 C130 C131 C137 C138- D114 D116 D117 D120 D122 D132 D137- D139 D141 D142 D146 D147 D148 D149- D150 D151 D155 D156 D157 D158 D159- D160 D161 D163 D164 D165 D166 D167- E139 E141 E142 E143 E144 E154 E155- E157 E162 E171 E173 E175 E176 E183- E185 E188 E189 G157 G158 G159 G160- G163 G164 G165 G170 G171 G172 G173- G178 G179 G180 G181 G182 G183 G184- G185 G187 G188 G194 G195 G196 H117- H120 H121 H164 K153 L165 L167 L168- L177 L178 L179 L180 L181 L182 L183- L184 L186 L187 L188 L189 L192 L193- L194 L196 L197 L198 L199 L201 L209- L210 L211 L212 L213 L215 M159 M176-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 10- M177 M178 M179 M210 M213 N151 N153- N170 N174 N177 N181 Q107 Q137 Q138- Q140 Q142 Q146 Q150 Q151 Q156 Q162- Q163 Q164 Q165 Q166 Q167 Q168 Q169- V101 V106 V133 V134-(c) Division Three shall consist of the following territory:- B153 B158 B159 B161 B172 B183 B191- B192 B193 B198 B199 B201 B202 D152- D153 D154 D168 D169 D171 D172 D173- E145 E181 E190 E191 E192 E193 E194- E195 E196 E197 E198 E199 E201 E202- E203 E204 E205 E206 E207 F106 F145- F151 F152 F153 F158 F163 F164 F167- F169 F170 F171 F172 F176 F179 F180- F184 F188 F189 F190 F191 F192 G175- G176 N130 N178 S116 S118 S125 S126- S128 S129 S130 S139 S140 S143 S144- S153 S160 S161 S165 S166 S167 S168- S169 S170 S171 S172 S173 S174 S175- S176 S177 S178 S179 V104 V105 V107- V108 V109 V110 V111 V112 V113 V114- V116 V118 V120 V121 V123 V125 V126- V127 V129 V130 V131 V136 V137 V138- V139 V140 V141 V142 V143 V144 V145- V146-(d) Division Four shall consist of the following territory:- A146 A147 A148 A149 A150 A151 A154- C101 C102 C103 C104 C105 C106 C108- C109 C110 C111 C113 C115 C126 C129- C134 C152 C153 C154 C155 C156 C157- H123 H124 H125 H126 H130 H154 H155- H163 H165 H166 H167 H168 H171 H176- H177 H178 H180 H181 H182 H185 I169- J105 J108 J111 J113 J117 J119 J120- J140 J163 J165 J166 J168 J169 J170- J171 J172 K118 K119 K131 K134 K135- K137 K141 K143 K151 K152 K154 K156- K157 K158 K166 K168 K174 K175 K180- L166 L185 M123 M124 M131 M168 M180-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--11- M182 M183 M184 M211 M212 N154 N155- N156 N158 N160 N161 N166 N168 N169- N172 N175 N176 N180 O109 O111 O113- O124 O126 O130 O131 O138 O148 O149- Q103 Q127 Q148 Q153 Q154 Q155 Q161- Q170-(e) Division Five shall consist of the following territory:- A107 A108 A111 A113 A114 A115 A118- A119 A121 A124 A125 A126 A127 A128- A129 A134 A136 A139 A142 A145 A152- A153 B124 B134 B149 B154 B160 B162- B163 B166 B168 B169 B173 B175 B177- B184 B187 B188 B189 B190 B194 B195- B196 B197 H138 H144 H147 H169 H173- H175 H183 H184 I126 I130 I133 I135- I141 I144 I145 I146 I151 I152 I153- I154 I157 I158 I159 I160 I161 I162- I163 I164 I165 I166 I167 I168 I170- I171 I172 I173 I174 I175 J122 J123- J135 J137 J138 J145 J150 J152 J153- J156 J157 J158 J159 J160 J162 J164- O141 O144 Q109 Q115 Q125 Q132 Q141- Q143 Q144 Q145 Q171 Q172-(2) If any precinct or part of a precinct that is part of Jefferson County Sc hool District is not identified in-subsection (1) of this section, the county board of elections shall add that territory to a contiguous division.-All actions taken by the county board of elections under this subsection shall be to ensure that minimal-changes are made that allow the divisions to fall within a five percent (5%) population deviation.-Section 10. KRS 160.042 is amended to read as follows:-(1) Upon a merger under the provisions of KRS 160.040 and 160.041 of an independent school district in a city of-the first class with a county school district in counties containing a city of the first class, the members of the-county board of education of the merged county school district, shall be elected pursuant to KRS 160.200 and-160.210.-(2) Each member of the respective boards of education at the time of the merger of the districts, may continue to-hold office until the expiration of his or her term of office, [except as provided in KRS 160.200(4); ] but any-vacancy occurring among such members for any reason shall not be filled.-Section 11. KRS 160.240 is amended to read as follows:-[(1) ]The general election laws shall apply to all elections of school board members [.-(2) In school districts embracing designated cities, the expense of th e election shall be paid by the city from its-general funds. In all other districts the expense shall be paid by the fiscal court out of its general funds.-(3) As used in this section, "designated city" has the same meaning as in KRS 160.020] .-Section 12. KRS 304.48-250 is amended to read as follows:-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 12-(1) If the assets of a liability self -insurance group are at any time insufficient to enable the group to discharge its-legal liabilities, other obligations, and to maintain the required reserves under this subtitle, the group shall-immediately levy an assessment upon its members for the amount necessary to make up the deficiency.-(2) If there is a deficiency in any fund year, the deficiency shall be made up immediately, from the following:-(a) Surplus from a fund year other than the current fund year after prior notice of the transfer has been-given to the commissioner;-(b) Administrative funds;-(c) Assessment of membership; or-(d) Alternate methods as the commissioner may direct or approve.-(3) If a liability self-insurance group fails to assess its members within thirty (30) days to make up a deficit, the-commissioner shall order it to do so. This subsection shall not apply to liability self -insurance groups formed-by governmental entities which do not have joint and several liability.-(4) If a liability self -insurance group fails to make the required assessment of its members within thirty (30) days-after the commissioner orders it to do so, or if the deficiency is not fully made up within sixty (60) days after-the date on which the assessment is made, or within a longer period of time as may be permitted by the-commissioner, the group shall be determined to be insolvent and may be placed in delinquency proceedings as-an insurer pursuant to Subtitle 33 of this chapter.-(5) (a) Governmental entities that:-1. Participate or have participated in a liability self-insurance group authorized by this subtitle; and-2. Are assessed by the liability self-insurance group to cover an accrued deficit;- may finance the payment of the assessment over a period not to exceed twenty (20) years.-(b) Financing obtained pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection may be accomplished by:-1. The issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations; or-2. A lease, installment payment agreement, or other similar agreement.-(c) If the governmental entity fails to make a scheduled payment on the financing obtained pursuant to-paragraph (a) of this subsection, any payments due to that governmental entity shall be withheld or-intercepted using the process established in KRS 160.160(7)[(6)].-(6) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, all other provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes-applying to any financing obtained by a governmental entity shall apply.-Section 13. KRS 304.50-055 is amended to read as follows:-(1) As used in this section, "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" or "NRSRO" means a credit-rating agency approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to provide assessment s of-the creditworthiness of financial instruments.-(2) A workers' compensation self -insured group shall establish plans for premium payment, determination and-collection of assessments, and for declaration and payment of dividends or other disbursements, which shall be-filed for prior approval with the commissioner. Any change in the plans for premium payment, assessments, or-dividends shall be filed for prior approval with the commissioner. Approval of plans for assessments and-dividends does not constitute approval of any particular assessment or dividend by the commissioner.-(3) Prior to the inception of each group member's self -insurance year, the trustees shall collect from that member-at least twenty -five percent (25%) of the estimated premium for the ensuing year, except that in the case of a-self-insured group formed by governmental entities twenty -five percent (25%) of the estimated premium for-the ensuing year shall be collected no later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of the self -insured group's-self-insurance year. The balance of the estimated premium shall be collected in either quarterly or monthly-installments as set forth in the enabling documents described in KRS 304.50 -030(2)(b) or 304.50 -060(2)(b).-Each group member's payroll shal l be audited annually and an adjustment to premium shall be made-accordingly.-(4) A disbursement from a workers' compensation self -insured group fund shall be for a purpose related to the-self-insured group. A dividend shall not be approved or paid until a t least thirty -six (36) months after the-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--13-expiration of the self-insurance year and shall be paid from surplus funds not required for payment of claims or-other liabilities. The dividends shall be paid or credited to members according to the reasonable clas sifications-the trustees may establish. A dividend shall not be paid which unfairly discriminates between members of the-same classifications. A dividend plan shall specify whether past group members are eligible for the dividend.-Payment of a dividend und er a dividend plan shall not be made unless the self -insured group has notified the-commissioner of its intent to make a dividend payment at least thirty (30) days prior to the payment, and the-commissioner has not disapproved the payment within that time.-(5) The formula to be used for collection of assessments shall be determined by the trustees and approved by the-commissioner. Assessments shall be fair and equitable and shall not unfairly discriminate between members of-the same classification.-(6) A trustee, fiscal agent, or service organization shall not utilize an asset of the self -insured group for a purpose-unrelated to workers' compensation. The trustees shall maintain cash or cash equivalent accounts as may be-prudently necessary to pay expenses without having to liquidate long-term investments.-(7) The trustees may invest funds in:-(a) United States Government bonds, United States Treasury notes, Treasury bills, or other direct-obligations guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government or its agencies;-(b) Tax exempt and taxable obligations issued by any state or any of its agencies, counties, cities,-municipalities, districts, political subdivisions, or other legal authorities within the United States of-America with a minimum rating of "BBB" by any NRSRO, except that no less than fifty percent (50%)-of the investments made under this paragraph shall be in obligations issued by the Commonwealth, its-agencies, or a county, city district, municipality, political subdivision, or other legal authority within the-Commonwealth;-(c) Investment share accounts in a savings and loan association in the Commonwealth whose deposits are-insured by a federal agency;-(d) Certificates of deposit if issued by a duly chartered commercial bank;-(e) 1. At the time of purchase, equity securities actively traded on the New York or NASDAQ Stock-Exchanges or other registered national securities exchanges with no individual equity holding-comprising greater than ten percent (10%) of the equity portion of the portfolio reflected on the-most recent quarterly or annual statement of financial condition on file with the commissioner.-2. An investment in an individual equity holding shall not represent at the time of purchase more-than five percent (5%) of the total market value of the security.-3. At the time of purchase, investments in equity securities shall not exceed twenty percent (20%)-of the total market value of the investment portfolio of the self -insured group reflected on the-most recent quarterly or annual statement of financial condition on file with the commissioner;-(f) Corporate bonds if:-1. The bond is issued, assumed, or guaranteed by a solvent institution created or existing under the-laws of the United States, or a state, province, district, or territory;-2. At the time of purchase, the corporate bond investments do not exceed twenty -five percent (25%)-of the total market value of the investment portfolio reflected on the most recent quarterly or-annual statement of financial condition on file with the commissioner; and-3. The bond has a minimum rating of "BBB" by any NRSRO;-(g) At the time of purchase, mutual funds and exchange traded funds if the investments do not exceed-twenty percent (20%) of the total market value of the invest ment portfolio reflected on the most recent-quarterly or annual statement of financial condition on file with the commissioner; and-(h) Asset-backed securities if:-1. The bond is issued, assumed, or guaranteed by a solvent institution created or existing u nder the-laws of the United States, or a state, province, district, or territory;-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 14-2. The asset-backed security investments do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total market value-of the investment portfolio reflected on the most recent quarterly or annua l statement of financial-condition on file with the commissioner; and-3. The bond has a minimum rating of "BBB" by any NRSRO.-(8) Of the aggregate investments made by the trustees of the self-insured group under this section:-(a) Not less than fifty percen t (50%) of the total market value of the entire investment portfolio shall be-held in cash, cash equivalents, or securities as described in subsection (7)(a) to (d) of this section; and-(b) A minimum of five percent (5%) of the total investment portfolio v alue shall be maintained in cash or-cash equivalent accounts or United States Treasury and Federal Agency Securities with a remaining-maturity of one (1) year or less.-(9) In the event that any security investment authorized by subsection (7) of this secti on is downgraded below-"BBB," the workers' compensation self -insurance group shall divest itself of that investment as prudently as-possible without incurring unnecessary losses.-(10) The commissioner may permit variation from the requirements of this section for good cause.-(11) (a) Governmental entities that:-1. Participate or have participated in a workers' compensation self -insured group authorized by this-subtitle; and-2. Are assessed by the workers' compensation self-insured group to cover an accrued deficit;- may finance the payment of the assessment over a period not to exceed twenty (20) years.-(b) Financing obtained pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection may be accomplished by:-1. The issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations; or-2. A lease, installment payment agreement, or other similar agreement.-(c) If the governmental entity fails to make a scheduled payment on the financing obtained pursuant to-paragraph (a) of this subsection, any payments due to that governmental entity shall be withheld or-intercepted using the process established in KRS 160.160(7)[(6)].-(12) Except as provided in subsection (11) of this section, all other provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes-applying to any financing obtained by a governmental entity shall apply.-SECTION 14. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 164 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:-(1) There is established a Center of American Civics at the University of Kentucky. The board of trustees for-the University of Kentucky may rename the center consisten t with its philanthropic naming governance-procedures.-(2) The center shall:-(a) Foster a deeper understanding of the structures and institutions of federal, state, and local-government;-(b) Further the understanding of the principles and philosophies that contributed to the foundation and-development of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky;-(c) Promote civil discourse and constructive debate;-(d) Enhance education in the fields of politics, economics, philosophy, law, American history, Americ an-government, rule of law, and other related fields as appropriate, with a focus on the rights and-responsibilities of American citizenship; fundamental democratic principles; and the ways in which-those principles are expressed in and through our federal, state, and local institutions;-(e) Provide nonpartisan resources to students, faculty, state government agencies, educators, and the-general public regarding civic affairs;-(f) Foster civic engagement through full and fair discussions that promote civil dialogue among those-holding conflicting points of view; and-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--15-(g) Assist in ensuring that the University of Kentucky serves as a robust marketplace of ideas for all-students and faculty.-(3) In order to carry out the purposes set forth in subsection (2) of this section, the provost of the University of-Kentucky may:-(a) Name an executive director and otherwise establish governance structure for the center;-(b) Develop academic guidelines, co urse offerings, potential internships and other relevant experiences-for students and the general public;-(c) Facilitate events, including sponsoring public lectures;-(d) Develop a partnership between the center and the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of-Kentucky; and-(e) Take other actions as appropriate.-(4) The center may be physically housed in the J. David Rosenberg College of Law on the campus of the-University of Kentucky.-(5) The center shall operate as an independent academic unit within the University of Kentucky.-(6) Any funds appropriated to the center shall not supplant any existing state funding or private or external-donations to the University of Kentucky. Appropriated funds and all private and external donations to the-center may only be used for operation of the center in conformance with this section.-SECTION 15. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 164 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:-(1) The McConnell Center shall be redesignated as an independent academic unit within the Univers ity of-Louisville. The University of Louisville shall provide adequate administrative space for the center if space-does not currently exist.-(2) The center shall pursue all of the following goals:-(a) Promote the McConnell Center’s core principles of leadership, scholarship, and service;-(b) Prepare top undergraduate students to become future leaders;-(c) Offer civic education programs for teachers, students, and the public; and-(d) Conduct strategic leadership development for the United States Army.-(3) In order to carry out the purposes set forth in subsection (b), the center is authorized to:-(a) Hire faculty and staff;-(b) Enroll students;-(c) Develop and offer courses in new undergraduate major and minor programs;-(d) Offer general education and honors courses;-(e) Provide and facilitate internships and other relevant experiences for students and the general public;-(f) Hold events, including sponsoring public lectures; and-(g) Take other actions as appropriate, subject to the supervision of the pr esident of the University of-Louisville.-(4) The president of the University of Louisville shall appoint a director of the McConnell Center. The director-shall:-(a) Report to the president of the University of Louisville;-(b) Make all faculty and staff hiring decisions; and-(c) Operate the center in accordance with the policies and procedures of the University of Louisville.-(5) Faculty of the center may be awarded tenure subject to the tenure policies of the University of Louisville as-adopted by the board of trustees and shall not be required to gain joint appointment in another division of-the University of Louisville.-ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 16-(6) Beginning September 1, 2027, and by each September 1 thereafter, the director shall develop and provide-an annual strategic plan for t he center to the president of the University of Louisville and the advisory-board.-(7) Funds appropriated to the center shall not supplant any existing state funding or private or external-donations to the University of Louisville. Appropriated funds and a ll private and external donations to the-center may only be used for the direct operation of the center.-SECTION 16. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 164 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:-The McConnell Center at the University of Louisville and the Center of American Civics at the University of-Kentucky shall develop materials and curricula for a degree program that meets the requirements of this section-and distribute the materials and curricula developed to each public institution of higher educati on in this state.-The curricula shall be for a course of instruction that is three (3) semester hours, or the equivalent, in American-government or American history that provides a comprehensive overview of the major events and turning points of-American history and government and, at a minimum, includes:-(1) An understanding of the United States Constitution in its entirety;-(2) An understanding of the Declaration of Independence in its entirety;-(3) An understanding of a minimum of five (5) essays from th e Federalist Papers in their entirety as selected by-the course instructor;-(4) An understanding of the Emancipation Proclamation in its entirety;-(5) An understanding of the Gettysburg Address in its entirety; and-(6) Other documents foundational to the American Civil Rights movement.-Section 17. Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary, for any large school district that has seven-board of education members on the effective date of this section of this Act, the term of those members shall-terminate on December 31, 2026. All five elected members established under Section 8 of this Act shall be elected at-the next regular election following the effective date of this section of this Act. Within ten days of January 1, 2027,-the superintendent of the school district shall call a meeting of the newly elected board of education for the purpose-of organizing the board of education. Notwithstanding the standard term of office for members of a board of-education, the members initially elected for Divisi on Four and Division Five established in Section 9 of this Act shall-be for a two year term with subsequent terms being a standard four year term. Members initially elected for Divisions-One, Two, and Three established in Section 9 of this Act shall be for a standard four year term.-Section 18. (1) Notwithstanding any statute to the contrary, for any large school district that has seven-board of education members on the effective date of this section of this Act, the assignment of the seven members to-the five divisions shall be as provided under this section until the five members elected under Section 17 of this Act-take office.-(2) For any division in which:-(a) Only one current board of education member resides, that member shall represent that division;-(b) Two or more current board of education members reside, the member representing that division shall-be selected by drawing lots among those resident members; and-(c) No current board of education member resides, the member representing that d ivision shall be selected-by drawing lots among those members not already representing another division.-(3) Any remaining member shall represent the district at large for the remainder of his or her term.-(4) Any further setting of divisions or setting of the member representing a division shall be conducted in-accordance with Section 8 of this Act and as otherwise provided for in statute.-Section 19. Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements established in subsection (2)(h) of Section 7 of-this Act, a person who was elected or appointed to a board of education prior to the effective date of Section 7 of this-Act shall remain eligible for the office for the remainder of the term to which he or she was elected or appointed. The-person shall not be subsequently eligible to serve a new term on a board of education, or eligible to be a candidate for-election or appointment to a new term on a board of education, unless that person meets all the requirements of-Section 7 of this Act.-CHAPTER 154-Legislative Research Commission PDF Version--17-Section 20. By Novem ber 1, 2026, the Kentucky Department of Education shall submit to the Legislative-Research Commission for referral to the appropriate interim joint committees a plan for the implementation of each-year of the practicum described in Section 1 of this Act th at includes any minimum requirements for successful-completion that the department will require and any statutory amendments the department needs for implementation-of the practicum.-Section 21. Whereas timely elections and appointments are critically i mportant to the operation of large-school districts, an emergency is declared to exist, and Sections 5 to 13 and Sections 17 to 19 of this Act take effect-upon its passage and approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law.-Veto Overridden April 14, 2026.+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 1 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+AN ACT relating to school leadership. 1+Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2+SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 156 IS CREATED TO 3+READ AS FOLLOWS: 4+(1) As used in this section: 5+(a) "Department" means the Kentucky Department of Education; and 6+(b) "Principal" means a person who: 7+1. Is the primary administrator and instructional leader of a public 8+school or program; 9+2. Supervises students and school employees; and 10+3. Is selected by the district's superintendent pursuant to KRS 160.345. 11+(2) There is hereby established the principal lea dership development practicum to 12+provide all new principals within the first five (5) years of experience in the 13+position with leadership development training. It is the intent of the General 14+Assembly to ensure that a school district or principal incurs no cost for the 15+participation in the first, second, and fourth years of the practicum and the 16+principal receives a stipend toward the cost of the fifth year of the practicum. The 17+Kentucky Department of Education shall develop and operate the practicum, 18+subject to the following provisions: 19+(a) The practicum shall operate based on cohorts of new principals and offer 20+five (5) years of leadership development training with specific requirements 21+in each year. The department shall annually establish a calendar for t he 22+operation of the practicum; 23+(b) Each year's cohort of new principals shall consist of those people who first 24+became principals by September 1 of each year; 25+(c) The department shall establish the minimum requirements for successful 26+completion of each ye ar, including hours of instruction or specific work 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 2 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+products; 1+(d) The first and second year of the practicum shall provide professional 2+learning and mentorship supports to each principal, subject to the 3+following: 4+1. The mentors shall have significant and successful experience as a 5+principal and may be currently employed in a school district or retired. 6+The mentors shall provide ongoing support to the new principals 7+through the first and second school year with regular personal 8+sessions to provide individualized support to the new principal; 9+2. The mentorship shall also provide the cohort of new principals an 10+opportunity to build a peer support network; and 11+3. The professional learning provided by the department shall be aligned 12+to the most recent profession al standards adopted by the National 13+Policy Board for Educational Administration and include, at a 14+minimum, the following topics: 15+a. Personnel evaluation and feedback; 16+b. School-based decision making and school councils; 17+c. Implementation of instructional leadership, high -quality 18+instructional materials, and curriculum alignment; 19+d. Assessment and accountability; 20+e. Multitiered systems of support; 21+f. Services for exceptional children and youth; and 22+g. School safety; 23+(e) The third year of the practicum shall require that the new principal select a 24+personalized list of trainings under the effective instructional leadership 25+program established in Section 2 of this Act based on the leadership needs 26+of the new principal. However, a principal may elect to substitu te this 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 3 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+requirement with an additional year of the high -level leadership training 1+provided during the fifth year of the practicum with the district's support. 2+Any high -level leadership trainings completed during the third year shall 3+not negate the fifth -year requirements under paragraph (g) of this 4+subsection; 5+(f) The fourth year of the practicum shall require the new principal participate 6+in an intensive leadership program during the summer with follow -up 7+sessions throughout the following year. The leaders hip program shall be 8+established by the department in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber 9+Foundation; 10+(g) The fifth year of the practicum shall provide high -level leadership training 11+opportunities for new principals. The department shall establish the 12+standards for training providers and the trainings under this paragraph, 13+including the number of hours required. The department shall maintain a 14+list of training providers who are eligible to provide the high -level 15+leadership training and make it available to new principals; and 16+(h) After the fifth year, each principal shall continue leadership development 17+through the effective instructional leadership program established in 18+Section 2 of this Act. 19+(3) A principal may submit the participant hours of instructio n that the principal 20+earns under this section during a year toward the twenty -one (21) participant 21+hours required by the effective instructional leadership program established in 22+Section 2 of this Act. The department shall grant program credit for the veri fied 23+hours the principal submits. 24+(4) If a person discontinues serving as a principal during the first five (5) years of 25+service and subsequently returns to a principal position, then that person shall 26+continue the new principal program for the year in whi ch the person was 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 4 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+previously participating. 1+(5) The principal leadership development practicum required under this section shall 2+begin on July 1, 2027, for the 2027-2028 school year, and each principal with less 3+than five (5) complete school years of exper ience shall be placed in a cohort and 4+year of the practicum based on completed years of experience. Subsequent 5+cohorts shall be admitted as provided in subsection (2) of this section. 6+(6) The Kentucky Board of Education may promulgate administrative regula tions in 7+accordance with KRS Chapter 13A for the operation of the section. 8+Section 2. KRS 156.101 is amended to read as follows: 9+(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage and require the maintenance and 10+development of effective instructional leadership in the public schools of the 11+Commonwealth and to recognize that principals, with the assistance of assistant 12+principals, supervisors of instruction, guidance counselors, and directors of special 13+education, have the primary responsibility for instructional leadership in the schools 14+to which they are assigned. 15+(2) As used in [For the purpose of] this section, "instructional leader" means[shall be 16+defined as] an employee of the public schools of the Commonwealth employed as a 17+principal, assistant principal, supervisor of instruction, guidance counselor, director 18+of special education, or other administrative position deemed by the Educatio n 19+Professional Standards Board to require an administrative certificate. 20+(3) In order to carry out the purpose of this section, the Kentucky Board of Education 21+shall establish a statewide program to improve and maintain the quality [ and 22+effectiveness] of effective instructional leadership in the public schools of the 23+Commonwealth. 24+(4) The effective instructional leadership [instructional leader improvement] program 25+shall contain the following provisions: 26+(a) Each instructional leader employed by the public s chools of the 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 5 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+Commonwealth shall participate in a continuing intensive training program 1+designed especially for instructional leaders; 2+(b) Each instructional leader shall annually complete an intensive training 3+program approved by the Kentucky Board of Edu cation to include no fewer 4+than twenty -one (21) participant hours of instruction . Hours completed by 5+participants in the principal leadership development practicum under 6+Section 1 of this Act may be substituted to satisfy this requirement; 7+(c) The Kentucky Board of Education shall prescribe specific criteria for the 8+training program. The Kentucky Department of Education may contract for 9+specific training with qualified agencies or institutions or approve programs 10+offered by training providers, including loc al district training programs, 11+except that the department shall ensure the requirements of paragraph (d) of 12+this subsection are met; and 13+(d) Annually, each local district superintendent shall report to the Kentucky 14+Department of Education any instructional leader who fails to complete the 15+training requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection and shall place the 16+leader on probation for one (1) year. The Department of Education shall 17+verify completion of the required training. If the required training for the prior 18+year and the current year is not completed during the probationary period, the 19+Department of Education shall forward the information to the Education 20+Professional Standards Board, which shall revoke the instructional leader's 21+certificate. 22+(5) The Kentucky Department of Education shall ensure that training options in human 23+resource management and conflict resolution techniques are available to education 24+leaders throughout the state. 25+(6) This section shall be known as the ["]Effective Instructional Leadership Act.["] 26+Section 3. KRS 161.027 is amended to read as follows: 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 6 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+(1) The Education Professional Standards Board, pursuant to KRS 161.028, shall by 1+administrative regulation establish requirements for a preparati on program in 2+institutions of higher education for all new applicants for principal certification and 3+establish criteria for admission to the program. 4+(2) The Education Professional Standards Board and the Council on Postsecondary 5+Education shall evaluate the preparation programs for principals and maintain only 6+those institutional programs that can demonstrate both the quality and the capability 7+to enroll adequate numbers of students to justify the resources necessary for 8+maintenance of a quality program. 9+(3) The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop or select appropriate 10+assessments for applicants seeking certification as principals, including an 11+assessment of the ability to apply knowledge, instructional leadership, management, 12+and supervision skills. 13+(4) The Education Professional Standards Board shall establish the minimum score for 14+successful completion of assessments and shall establish a reasonable fee to be 15+charged applicants for the actual cost of administration of the assessments. Th e 16+Education Professional Standards Board shall provide for confidentiality of 17+assessment scores. 18+(5) [The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop an internship program 19+which shall provide for the supervision, assistance, and assessment of begi nning 20+principals and assistant principals. The internship shall not be required of applicants 21+who have completed, within a ten (10) year period prior to making application, at 22+least two (2) years of successful experience as a principal in a school situatio n. The 23+Education Professional Standards Board, by administrative regulation, shall 24+establish the internship program. 25+(6) ]The certification of principals shall require the successful completion of the 26+examinations required by subsection (3) of this section . A one (1) year certificate 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 7 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+may be given to a person who has: 1+(a) A comparable certificate from another state; or 2+(b) All other qualifications except the assessments and is selected as a principal or 3+assistant principal in a district where the superintend ent certifies to the 4+Education Professional Standards Board that there is a limited number of 5+applicants to meet the requirements. 6+ Upon successful completion of the assessments, a certificate shall be issued for an 7+additional four (4) years. A person employed in Kentucky as a principal or assistant 8+principal who was certified in another state and practiced in that state for two (2) or 9+more years is exempt from taking the assessment described in subsection (3)(a) of 10+this section. 11+(6)[(7)] Upon successful co mpletion of the approved preparation program and the 12+assessments, the Education Professional Standards Board shall issue to the 13+applicant a statement of eligibility for internship valid for five (5) years. If the 14+applicant does not gain employment as a pri ncipal[participate in an internship 15+program] within the five (5) year period, the applicant shall reestablish eligibility by 16+repeating and passing the assessments in effect at that time or by completing a 17+minimum of six (6) graduate hours, directly related to instructional leadership, 18+management, or supervision, at a regionally or nationally accredited institution. The 19+option for renewal through completion of graduate hours shall be available only for 20+the first reestablishment of eligibility. Upon obtaining employment for an internship 21+position as principal or assistant principal within the period of eligibility, the 22+applicant shall be issued the appropriate one (1) year certificate for the position. 23+(7)[(8)] [All applicants for principal certification, afte r successfully completing the 24+assessments, shall successfully complete the internship program described in 25+subsection (5) of this section for principal certification. If the principal's or assistant 26+principal's internship performance is judged to be less t han satisfactory pursuant to 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 8 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+administrative regulations developed by the Education Professional Standards 1+Board, the applicant for principal certification shall be provided with an opportunity 2+to repeat the internship one (1) time if the applicant is emplo yed by a school district 3+as a principal or assistant principal. 4+(9) ]Following successful completion of the first year of principalship [internship 5+program], the principal certificate shall be extended for four (4) years. Renewal of 6+the certificate shall require the completion of a continuing education requirement as 7+prescribed by the Education Professional Standards Board. 8+Section 4. KRS 156.492 is amended to read as follows: 9+(1) The Kentucky Department of Education may e nter into an agreement with any 10+building and construction trade organization to develop a training program for 11+school counselors providing services to students in the Commonwealth. The 12+purpose of the training program shall be to promote building and constr uction 13+trades and training facilities available to students by making school counselors 14+aware of what is available to students participating in the building and construction 15+trade. The training program shall include information relating to: 16+(a) The pay and benefits available to people who work in the building and 17+construction trades; and 18+(b) Job opportunities, pre -apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and pathways within 19+the building and construction trade industry. 20+(2) The participating trade organization shall ensure ample opportunities for school 21+counselors that serve grades seven (7) through twelve (12) to complete the training 22+created under subsection (1) of this section annually and shall bear all costs 23+associated w ith the training. The participating trade organization may choose to 24+offer professional development opportunities to teachers who serve students in 25+grades seven (7) through twelve (12), if resources are available for this purpose. 26+(3) The department shall include the training program created in this section on the 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 4/SCS 1+Page 9 of 9+SB000440.100 - 1215 - XXXX 2/9/2026 4:34 PM Senate Committee Substitute+electronic consumer bulletin board created pursuant to KRS 156.095(8) if requested 1+by the training program. 2+(4) A school counselor serving students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) may 3+complete four (4) hours of training developed under this section which shall count 4+towards the twenty -one (21) hours required annually pursuant to KRS 5+156.101(4)(b)[2]. 6+(5) Local boards of education or school -based decision making councils may 7+incorporate this training as part of the four (4) days of professional development 8+required pursuant to KRS 158.070(3)(a) for teachers who serve students in grades 9+seven (7) through twelve (12) if offered by the participating trade organization. 10+Section 5. By November 1, 2026, the Kentucky Department of Education shall 11+submit to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the appropriate interim 12+joint committees a plan for the implementation of each year of the practicum described in 13+Section 1 of this Act that includes any minimum requirements for successful completion 14+that the department will require and any statutory amendments the department needs for 15+implementation of the practicum. 16
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