Perspective - Andrew McNeill: Robbie Fletcher faces a formidable undertaking coupled with questions about his credibility
In a recent report, the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts raised concerns about the management and oversight of funds within the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), as well as the role of the Kentucky Board of Education. The report, mandated by House Bill 825 (2024), highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement within KDE.
During the four years covered by the report, an excess of $251 million in SEEK funds accumulated. These funds, which form the lion's share of state funding for public schools, are typically allowed to lapse back to the budget reserve trust fund at the end of each year. When excess SEEK funds accumulate, KDE is authorized to reallocate those dollars to other education-related areas. However, the report found no evidence of such reallocation, leading to questions about why the surplus funds weren't repurposed.
The Board of Education, which hires the Commissioner and sets strategic objectives for Kentucky's public schools, is under fire for its lack of focus on student performance and inability to set measurable goals. This is an inexcusable deficiency, as the Board's primary responsibility is to ensure the success of Kentucky's students.
Commissioner Robbie Fletcher issued a statement in July, before the release of the report, aiming to address public and legislative concerns related to KDE. The statement emphasized the positive aspects noted in the audit, including Commissioner Fletcher’s efforts to build relationships with the legislature, positive staff morale, and a strong culture focused on student success.
However, the audit raised issues about the management and oversight of funds and the role of the Board of Education. While specific details of the report’s concerns about funds and the Board are not fully detailed in the search results, the audit appears to have included recommendations for improving policies and practices, implying that there were identified challenges or areas needing legislative or administrative attention related to financial management and board governance.
Rep. Kim Banta R-Ft. Mitchell, who chairs the House budget subcommittee responsible for K-12, stated that the Kentucky Department of Education must improve its data collection and reporting processes so the SEEK formula can be applied as intended. This is a crucial step towards ensuring that funds are used effectively to support Kentucky's students.
The report's findings have sparked criticism from Republicans in the General Assembly, who have little respect for Gov. Beshear due to his statement that the KDE is an independent agency with the authority to control its own programs and regulations. Commissioner Fletcher's concern of a $40 million funding shortfall during the current year was met with skepticism by Republicans in the legislature.
Andrew McNeill, the president and senior policy fellow at the Kentucky Forum for Rights, Economics & Education, has called for improvements in KDE's financial management. His email address is [email protected].
In response to the criticism, Gov. Andy Beshear disbanded the Board, reorganized it, and appointed new members on his first day in office. This move is seen as a step towards addressing the issues raised in the report and ensuring that the Board focuses on its primary responsibility: educating Kentucky's students.
Commissioner Fletcher should use Auditor Ball's report as a roadmap to focus KDE on their top priority. Credibility is everything in the legislative process, and Commissioner Fletcher was forced to fold after bluffing about a funding shortfall. He must now take action to address the concerns raised in the report and regain the trust of the legislature and the public.
- The report on the management of funds within the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has raised concerns about the role of the Kentucky Board of Education in education-and-self-development, as it has been criticized for its lack of focus on student performance and inability to set measurable goals.
- Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, in a statement prior to the release of the report, emphasized the need for improvement in education policy-and-legislation, particularly in the areas of financial management and board governance.
- In light of the report's findings, several Kentucky legislators have called for improvements in online-education and data collection and reporting processes, aiming to ensure that funds are used effectively to support Kentucky's students.
- The report's findings have also sparked a discussion on the need for transparency and accountability in the administration of SEEK funds, with advocates such as Andrew McNeill of the Kentucky Forum for Rights, Economics & Education pushing for improvements in KDE's financial management.
- The criticism of the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Board of Education has led to changes in policy, with Gov. Andy Beshear disbanding the Board, reorganizing it, and appointing new members on his first day in office, aimed at addressing the issues raised in the report and ensuring that KDE focuses on its primary responsibility: educating Kentucky's students.
