School choice bill passes after governor’s veto

FRANKFORT Ky.- A game changer when it comes to education in the bluegrass state, House Bill 563, also known as the school choice bill was passed by Kentucky lawmakers Monday after Governor Andy Beshear vetoed the bill.

Dr. Gary Houchens, professor of education administration at Western Kentucky University, supports the bill.

“Many years of hard work on the part of lawmakers and educators and especially a lot of parents finally paid off in creating some new education options for Kentucky families,” Houchens said.

With the passage of the bill, students would be given the option to attend schools outside of their home districts, as well as having state education funding follow them to their chosen school.

“Policies like House Bill 563 make it possible for every family regardless of their income to have some more options in where their kids go to school,” Houchens said.

Warren County Public Schools superintendent Rob Clayton is against the bill, saying one of the reasons is that it would lead to the privatization of public-school education.

“It was very disappointing, as someone who has spent the past 28 years in public school education, I see nothing in this bill that’s going to address the challenges that we have,” Clayton said.

As of now, the bill would go into effect July of next year. Clayton says another concern is that this may cause disparities amongst the schools.

“It’s difficult for me as a public school superintendent to support any legislation that’s going to create a further divide amongst not only our schools, but the resources we have at each of our schools,” Clayton said.

Governor Andy Beshear has predicted an override to his veto would trigger a court challenge.