The House Education Committee Tuesday approved a new financing method for operating the state’s only laboratory school. Eastern Kentucky University’s Model Lab School has had an agreement with Richmond’s public school system for decades. Former Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis said last September state support shouldn’t go to a school where tuition is also paid.
Eastern Kentucky University Interim President David McFaddin said this legislation does away with a transfer of money from Madison County Schools to EKU. “We’re going to have to work with the general assembly during the budget process to make sure that the dollars are there to support the school going forward. The net impact being a fiscal impact of zero to the Commonwealth, whether those dollars were flowing through a contractual arrangement with Madison County or whether those dollars are flowing through a general fund appropriation, it’s still the same amount of dollars,” said McFaddin.
McFaddin noted the $2.6 million would accompany EKU’s contribution and student tuition to support operation of Model. He said the proposed financing would not affect the cost structure of tuition.
?Madison County School Superintendent David Gilliam said this change wouldn’t affect student numbers. “Shouldn’t, no we’ve worked very closely with EKU. I don’t really see any changes in terms of the student population numbers or anything like that,” noted Gilliam.
Model at Eastern is the only such education laboratory school in the state. House Education Committee Chair Regina Huff anticipates a floor amendment to allow for similar programs at other state schools. “If we’re going to invest in Eastern at that level then there wouldn’t be any justification in us not investing in other places as well,” Huff said.
McFaddin added the community and university commitment to a lab school concept is significant, but if other schools wanted to consider establishing such a program, the interim president said EKU would be supportive.
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