Boone County School District
2026 Legislative Priorities

Boone County Schools’ legislative priorities were identified by the 2025-2026 BCS Legislative Committee. The committee consists of board members, district administrators, principals, teachers recommended by the Boone County Education Association, and support staff recommended by the Boone County Classified Employee Association. 

PRIORITY #1 – SUPPORT EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN KENTUCKY BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE SEEK FUNDING

Kentucky’s current SEEK education funding remains less than 2008 funding levels when adjusted for inflation.  Restore funding levels by increasing the percent of funding provided by the commonwealth.

·      Raise SEEK funding by $300 each year of the biennial budget from $4586 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) to $4886 in FY27 to $5186 in FY28.

·      Over the next five years, increase the percent of SEEK funding provided as part of the biennial budget to 60% resulting in an overall reduction in the percentage collected locally.

·      Fully fund pupil transportation by increasing funding from the current level of approximately 80-85%.

PRIORITY #2 – SUPPORT EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN KENTUCKY BY INCREASING FUNDING FOR WORKFORCE READINESS

Kentucky’s progress in college and career readiness faces challenges due to doubling of costs of dual credit tuition in seven years and increased regulatory requirements. Adopting these measures has limited economic cost but benefits schools, families, and industry. 

·      Freeze dual-credit tuition for five (5) years to protect affordability for high school students.

·      Provide funding of $25 to school districts for each successful dual credit completed by high school students to increase dual credit opportunities and provide targeted tuition assistance to help increase dual credit enrollment.

·      Codify work-based learning allowances to extend beyond traditional school hours and days without penalizing school funding.

·      Create solutions to age-limitations for sixteen and seventeen-year-old students that currently limits internship opportunities.

PRIORITY #3 – SUPPORT EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN KENTUCKY BY INCREASING FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (AGES 3-5)

Approximately 50% of Kentucky’s kindergarten students are not prepared for kindergarten by being “ready to learn”.  Early childhood education continues to provide substantial benefits to students and the economy of the commonwealth.

·      Guarantee one year of preschool for each child in Kentucky.

·      Increase funding for preschool education to improve access for Kentucky students.

·      Codify funding for full-day kindergarten.

PRIORITY #4 – SUPPORT EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN KENTUCKY BY INCREASING FUNDING FOR STUDENT HEALTH & SAFETY

Student health and safety is paramount to attaining educational performance goals. One in six U.S. youth ages 6–17 experiences a mental health disorder each year, highlighting the urgent need for stronger support systems within schools. Investing in school Counselors, School Resource Officers, and funding for Safe Schools ensures students receive the care, protection, and stability they need to succeed.

·      Create a new SEEK add-on to provide funding for counselors at each school.

·      Increase funding for school resource officer (SRO) positions at each school by $10,000.

·      Increase funding to the non-competitive grant matrix for the Safe Schools fund by 50%.