BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A recent report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy reveals a widening gap in per-pupil funding between the state’s wealthiest and poorest school districts, surpassing levels deemed unconstitutional over 30 years ago. Educators on the ground are feeling the pinch, hoping the report will be an “eye-opener” for legislators.
The Aug. 23 report states that the per-pupil funding gap between Kentucky’s wealthiest and poorest districts has increased to $3,902 in 2022, up from $3,489 in 1990, adjusted for inflation. Despite significant initial improvements following the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) in 1990, the trend has reversed due to tax cuts and inadequate state appropriations for programs like SEEK. When KERA first took effect, the funding gap fell below $1,500 per pupil.
Dr. Robbie Fletcher, superintendent of Lawrence County and former Sheldon Clark principal, emphasized the real-world implications of this funding disparity.
“With more funding comes more opportunity,” Fletcher said. He pointed out the stark difference in teacher salaries in the state’s wealthiest districts and his own, estimating starting teacher pay to be around $36,000 in Lawrence County.
According to Fletcher, the low pay has led to a major decline in certified applicants for teaching positions in eastern Kentucky and other property-poor areas of the state.
“Over the years we’ve had fewer and fewer teachers apply for positions. Right now, we’ve gone months without a certified applicant for a middle school P.E. position,” Fletcher added. “There are fewer and fewer people willing to go into the teaching profession.”
The lack of funding has also strained essential resources like transportation and books. Fletcher noted that low teacher pay has been a trade-off for resources; lower salaries prevent a more rapid decline in the quality of educational resources and facilities for students. The strain has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked about solutions, Fletcher was candid. “Without the funding, there’s nothing you can do… The only thing you can do is raise local taxes.”
“If the state Legislature’s not going to pay for it and we can’t get a government grant,” warned Fletcher, “then you’re going to have to cut a teacher or a bus route.” Lawrence County has recently reduced its number of bus routes from 36 to 34.
Martin County Superintendent Larry James hopes the report serves as a wake-up call. “I hope this is an eye-opener for our legislators,” James said.
Fletcher echoed this sentiment, stating that the best thing Kentucky state legislators can do is ask how they can close the funding gap.
“We shouldn’t take away money from education anywhere, from Louisville to Lawrence County,” Fletcher said.
For more information on the report and its implications, read the full study at https://kypolicy.org/kentucky-school-funding-returns-to-pre-kera-levels/.