Beech Tree News Network

School districts update on teacher and staff raises as lawmakers prepare for next budget

The legislature’s interim joint committees and budget review subcommittees continue to prepare for the next legislative session, which will convene on January 2. During the October meeting of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, lawmakers received an update on the funding for teacher raises provided in the 2022 budget, as well as testimony on social worker retention, juvenile justice, all-terrain vehicle trails, children in state custody, general aviation, and Medicaid reimbursements.

Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue: Members heard from the Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA) and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents on school funding approaches. Both discussed how individual districts chose to use funding provided by the legislature to increase teacher and staff pay and the KSBA shared data from a survey sent to districts before the start of the 2022-2023 school year. The survey asked districts about raises for school personnel.

The biennial budget passed in 2022 provided funding for raises for the Kentucky State Police and state employees. Since teachers and school personnel work directly for school districts, lawmakers respected the request of district administrators and provided millions in additional funding so districts could provide pay raises to teachers and staff, as well as make investments in other areas they identified as priorities. According to the KSBA, 162 out of 171 school districts used those resources to give raises. While nine did not, the majority gave a raise the prior year.

Budget committee members also heard from the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) on social worker employment status. The current budget provided pay increases for social worker and family support classifications. In addition to more than $86 million in raises targeted for social workers, the measure provided an additional 8% raise in July, 2022 and 6% raise in July, 2023. This brings the starting annual salary from $33,644 to $50,754. In January 2023, DCBS employed 4,051 individuals. As of August 2023, they employed 4,620 individuals. DCBS indicated that they are looking to increase their maximum employee cap to add 100 social worker positions. The cap increase would have each social worker with approximately 19 individuals on their case load. The committee requested a follow-up on current case load numbers. DCBS shared that the workforce still faces challenges like continuous exposure to traumatic events, higher risk, toxic stress, burn out, secondary post-traumatic stress disorder, and work capacity.

Overall, I am pleased by the updates and glad to see that the targeted way we invested taxpayer dollars has resulted in pay increases for two critical areas – teachers and social workers.

Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement: Members discussed a request for public funding of apprenticeship programs administered by the retail and insurance industries, as well as one offered by Kentucky Rural Water Association. Currently, Kentucky is home to over 4,000 registered apprentices in 259 skill-based trades.

Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary: Legislators heard from the Department of Juvenile Justice on their compliance with juvenile justice reforms enacted during the 2023 Regular Session. The Administrative Office of the Courts shared their budget requests with the subcommittee. They proposed that funding would be used to improve and maintain judicial facilities across the commonwealth as well as the construction of new judicial buildings in counties the department has designated as having critical need.

Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection: Members discussed the role waterfront botanical gardens and all-terrain vehicle trails play in state and local tourism. These trails, better known as ATV trails, mean a great deal to Eastern Kentucky and have grown mostly through local investment and small business owners. According to a 2021 study conducted by Marshall University, the Hatfield and McCoy Trails alone brought a total economic impact of $40 million. The trail system provides opportunities for businesses, economic empowerment, showcasing our natural beauty and Kentucky’s rich history, and building a sustainable industry. The formation of the trails acts an economic development plan for Eastern Kentucky utilizing adventure tourism to promote entrepreneurship and job creation. According to testimony, new lodging and trail supporting businesses are needed for the trail system to expand.

Budget Review Subcommittee on Education: Lawmakers discussed educational opportunities for children in state custody. The executive director of Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children shared about the organization’s mission to support children in state care, most of whom face heartbreaking circumstances. The organization supports 8,500 children in 47 school districts, served through 72 service programs. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association discussed the organization’s eligibility bylaws.

Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation: Members heard from Madisonville Community College as well as the managers of Lexington Bluegrass and Madisonville Regional Airports regarding their budget requests. MCC presented their need to purchase aircraft instead of leasing them in order to be more cost efficient. The airport managers stated the overall need for increased funding for both general aviation and commercial service airports throughout the commonwealth. The committee also heard from the Department of Revenue regarding the implementation of the excise tax on electric vehicle charging stations, which will go into effect in January. Since the vast majority of the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges is paid for with the motor vehicle fuels tax, the excise tax on electric vehicle charging stations will help ensure that all drivers – particularly those from out of state – pay their fair share.

Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services: Members met to discuss Medicaid reimbursements and specifically issues with reimbursements for home health and substance use disorder treatment services. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an elevated utilization of home health services. It is important that we take a deep dive into how these services are funded and insured. Issues with reimbursement rates are keeping physicians from treating Medicaid recipients, which in turn impacts how effectively the program works. We have requested the administration look at areas that reimbursement can be increased or improved and will continue to monitor the situation. After all, you can increase the number of people in the program, but you have accomplished nothing if they cannot find a doctor or dentist.

As always, I can be reached through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me by e-mail at [email protected] and keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.