FROM OUR NEWSROOM
For Immediate Release
ATTENTION EDITORS: A high-resolution quality copy of the “Better Schools = Better Students” logo in jpg form, and information on savings per K-12 district and public university projects from passage of SB 145 are attached to this release.
“Better Schools = Better Students” announces support for Senate Bill 145
Legislation would provide approximately $600 million additional dollars for Kentucky’s schools
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 3, 2009) – A newly formed group concerned about improving the level of education for Kentucky’s students announced today their support for Senate Bill 145, which if passed would help provide the commonwealth’s children state-of-the-art schools at a lower cost to taxpayers.
“A study by the Kentucky Department of Education in 2008 found more than 90,000 elementary, middle and high school students attended classes in buildings that are deteriorated or in need of immediate attention,” said James E. Milliman with “Better Schools = Better Students.” “It is clear that our commonwealth’s local school facilities are in crisis. We must explore all means to provide the best education to Kentucky’s children while lessening the budget burden placed on taxpayers.”
Senate Bill 145, filed by Sen. Damon Thayer, (R)-Georgetown seeks to exempt elementary, secondary and postsecondary education construction projects from the public works definition as it relates to Kentucky’s prevailing wage.
“In this challenging economy that we are facing today, SB 145 would provide much-needed relief to schools across the commonwealth in need of new and updated facilities,” said Sen. Thayer. “SB 145 could save taxpayers millions of dollars, and now is the time to act.”
“The price of building an elementary school in Wolfe County costs taxpayers an additional $1 million due to the current definition of public works projects which includes school construction,” Milliman added. “Imagine how the Wolfe County School System could have used that additional $1 million for other needs had their school been exempt from that definition.”
“If SB 145 were the current law, in Daviess County we would have saved over a half million dollars in school construction costs from our facilities plan budget,” said Tom Shelton, Superintendent of the Daviess County School District. “If we were able to better utilize these extra dollars, it would have a great impact on our children’s learning environment.”
In addition to the extra costs, “Better Schools = Better Students” cites a study by the national non-profit agency, 21st Century School Fund, which found “…the quality of a school facility has an impact on student experiences and ultimately on their educational experience.”
“Better Schools = Better Students” seeks to improve the level of education among Kentucky’s K-12 students by providing them safe, modern institutions conducive to optimal learning through re-examining the costs associated with school construction and exploring ways how tax dollars can be better utilized that will result in more efficient use of K-12 funding.
For more information on “Better Schools = Better Students” go to http://www.kentuckyopportunitycoalition.org/better_schools.html. You can also check out the Facebook page for “Better Schools = Better Students” at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Better-Schools-Better-Students/52206907949?ref=ts.
“Better Schools = Better Students” is an initiative of the Kentucky Opportunity Coalition, (“the Coalition”), a non-profit corporation seeking tax status. The Kentucky Opportunity Coalition is focused on improving the quality of life for all Kentuckians through the following goals: (1) to help Kentuckians become a healthier, well-educated and better-trained workforce; (2) a more transparent and efficient government; (3); promote an efficient, accessible, quality and affordable health care system in our commonwealth; (4) a thriving community for economic development; and (5) to establish the commonwealth as an energy leader while reducing our need for foreign sources and promoting energy efficiency.
