Beshear touts education plan ahead of lawmakers reconvening

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky is lagging behind in the “competition for talent” to lead its classrooms. He renewed his push Monday for higher teacher pay as a way to overcome a shortage of educators. He’s asking lawmakers to award a 5% raise for teachers and other public school employees. He says Kentucky ranks 44th in starting teacher pay and has 11,000 teacher vacancies. Lawmakers reconvene next week to resume this year’s legislative session. The governor’s pitch came as a coalition formed by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators unveiled its initial proposals to improve teacher recruitment and retention.