Legislation aimed at establishing a new funding format for Kentucky’s only laboratory school continues to make its way through the general assembly. But, Senate Education Committee members raised questions Thursday about the plan for Model.
Former State Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis last September said he thought it was not appropriate for state average daily attendance funds go to a public school where tuition is also paid. The proposed formula would allow funding from Eastern Kentucky University, a direct state general fund appropriation, and tuition all supporting Model.
Testifying in committee with concerns was former Model teacher Bryan Wilson, who has a kindergarten student at Model. “Well my biggest concern is creating an institution without a direct elected school board and then continuing a process in which the state says that students have to pay tuition to go to a public school in a community where there is only one five star high school. Everybody in the community shouldn’t have these barriers put in place. Everybody should have access to this school,” said Wilson.
Interim EKU President David McFaddin said, without the support of tuition funds, the state request for financial support would need to be some seven million dollars more to continue the same instruction for more than 700 students. The House bill now goes to the full Senate.
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