KentuckyLarge-county school boards give superintendents control of daily operations
In certain large counties, school boards give superintendents control of daily operations and receive quarterly reports on district work and spending.
What it does
In certain large counties, the school board gives the superintendent control of daily district operations and carrying out the board-approved plan and budget. The board keeps its oversight duties.
Each year, the board approves a rolling five-year plan for student goals, staff, and facilities, and reviews a three-year forecast of district income and spending.
The superintendent gives the board a quarterly update on district operations, the strategic plan, and how spending compares with the budget. The board oversees yearly financial and student performance reviews.
The superintendent may approve purchases up to $250,000 if the district uses the state procurement code, and may make budget transfers totaling up to $250,000 per quarter. Both have budget and reporting limits.
Argument forClear responsibility for daily decisions could help a large district respond faster to transportation, staffing, and budget issues while the board tracks results.
Argument againstGiving superintendents control of daily decisions could leave board members with less say over routine operations between their reviews.
More detail
The board must give the superintendent authority over daily operations and carrying out the board-approved plan and budget. This applies to a county school district in a county with a consolidated local government or at least 500,000 residents. The board keeps its stated duties, including approving the plan and budget and reviewing the superintendent.
The board must approve a rolling five-year strategic plan and a rolling three-year forecast of district income and spending. These duties apply to the board of a covered county school district. The plan covers student goals, staff improvement, facilities, and other goals the board and superintendent consider in students' and the community's interest. The board must approve the plan by December 1 each year.
The superintendent must give the board a quarterly update on district operations, the strategic plan, and the budget compared with actual spending. This applies to the superintendent and board of a covered county school district. The board oversees an annual financial audit and review of student performance. The superintendent gives the update each quarter.
The board must authorize the superintendent to approve certain purchases and budget transfers. These rules apply to purchases and budget transfers in a covered county school district. The superintendent may approve purchases of up to $250,000 under board-adopted small-purchase procedures only if the district uses the Kentucky Model Procurement Code. The total of all budget transfers may not exceed $250,000 per quarter. Purchases and transfers must stay within the approved budget, align with the strategic plan, and be reported to the board at its next regular meeting. The superintendent also reports purchases quarterly. The superintendent reports purchases quarterly; purchases and transfers are reported at the board's next regular meeting.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 14delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 153)Latest
- Vote recorded Veto Override. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded OVERRIDE VETO FINAL PASSAGE SB 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseTo Governor
- Apr 14enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 14passed 79-20Major
- Apr 14veto overriddenMajor
- Apr 14posted for consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 14taken from Rules (H)
- Apr 14to Rules (H)Minor
- Apr 14received in House
- Apr 14passed 31-7Major
- Apr 14veto overriddenMajor
- Apr 14posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 14to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 14received in Senate
- Apr 13VetoedMajor
- Apr 1delivered to Governor
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 1 w/ HFA 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Apr 1enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 1passed 29-8Major
- Apr 1Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (2)
- Apr 1posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (2)
- Apr 1to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 1received in Senate
- Apr 13rd reading, passed 75-19 with Floor Amendment (2)Passed House
- Mar 31floor amendment (3) filedMinor
- Mar 26floor amendment (2) filedMinor
- Mar 26placed in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 26taken from Rules
- Mar 26reported favorably, to RulesMinor
- Mar 25to Primary and Secondary Education (H)Minor
- Mar 25floor amendment (1) filedMinor
- Mar 20returned to Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 202nd readingMinor
- Mar 20taken from Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 19returned to Committee on Committees (H)
- Mar 191st readingMinor
- Mar 19taken from Committee on Committees (H)
- Feb 3to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Feb 3to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Feb 3received in House
- Feb 23rd reading, passed 29-7Passed Senate
- Vote recorded PASS SB 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 30posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 02 2026
- Jan 302nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Jan 29reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Jan 28to Education (S)Minor
- Jan 21to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Jan 21introduced in SenateIntroduced
- Apr 14delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 153)Latest
EducationGovernment & Ethics