Legislation to alter appointments to Kentucky Board of Education passes Senate committee

On Thursday, legislation that deals with how Kentucky Board of Education members are appointed passed out of the Senate Education Committee.

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers, is intended to take politics out of the process of appointing the Kentucky Board of Education. The bill would require the state board of education to have similar appointment requirements as the state’s university boards. The bill also prevents Governors from changing the board following an election.

While presenting the bill to the committee, President Stivers stated, “The process has always been to let the natural process of appointments take place.” He further explained that the bill does not penalize anyone on the board.

Governor Andy Beshear overhauled the state school board on his first day of office, and if this bill were to pass, he would be allowed to reappoint some of the additions he made in the overhaul.

The bill passed committee with a vote of 8-3 and now moves on to the full Senate for consideration.