Kentucky law sets five elected seats for large school districts

Large school districts have five elected board seats, with Jefferson County’s voting areas set by listed precincts. Large school districts are those with more than 300,000 residents. Candidates must live in the voting area they represent. Employees of any Kentucky school board whose jobs require more than 100 workdays yearly cannot serve on a large district’s board. Members elected or appointed before the employee restriction took effect may finish their terms, but must meet the eligibility rules to seek another term. Jefferson County’s areas use precinct boundaries from March 19, 2026. Election officials must place omitted territory in a neighboring area, making minimal changes to keep population differences within 5%. The first members elected from areas Four and Five serve two years; the other three serve four years. Later terms last four years. These rules took effect April 14, 2026. Covered seven-member boards’ terms end December 31, 2026, with replacements elected at the next regular election. Their organizing meeting must be called within ten days of January 1, 2027.

The Kentucky Department of Education must run a four-year leadership training program for beginning public school principals. The program covers principals during their first four years in the job. Those who leave and return resume the program year they previously attended. The first two years provide training and mentoring. Year three includes summer training and follow-up sessions when funds are available. Year four is optional. A principal missing summer training because of illness or an emergency must have the superintendent’s approval and complete the department’s alternative program. The law states an intent that principals and districts pay no participation costs and that principals receive a payment toward year-three costs. Verified program hours count toward the annual 21-hour leadership training requirement. The first group includes principals with less than one year of experience. Later groups include those who first become principals by September 1 each year. The department’s implementation plan is due November 1, 2026.

A principal’s certificate receives a four-year extension after successful completion of the first year as a principal. This provision covers principal certificates. Later certificate renewal requires continuing education set by the Education Professional Standards Board, the state’s educator licensing board.

The Center of American Civics and the McConnell Center operate as independent academic units within their universities. The centers at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville serve students and the public. The McConnell Center also pursues leadership training for the United States Army. State money set aside for either center cannot replace existing university state funding or donations. Money given to each center may be used only for its work. Kentucky’s provost may arrange courses and public events. The McConnell Center may hire staff, enroll students, and offer degree courses under university oversight. Louisville must provide adequate administrative space if needed. Its president appoints the McConnell Center director, who makes hiring decisions and follows university policies. McConnell Center faculty may receive tenure under university rules without also holding a position in another university division. The McConnell Center director must provide an annual strategic plan to the university president and advisory board beginning September 1, 2027, and each September 1 afterward.

The two university centers must develop and share materials for an American government or history course. The Center of American Civics and McConnell Center must send the materials to every Kentucky public college and university. The materials must cover the full Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, and Gettysburg Address. They must also cover at least five complete Federalist Papers essays chosen by the instructor and documents central to the American Civil Rights movement.