As House Bill 6 gets closer and closer to fruition, officials from local public schools are keeping an eye on the possible provisions coming in the state’s biennium budget.
This includes Christian County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Bentzel, who this week told The News Edge of a recent trip to Frankfort — and what those discussions mean for Hopkinsville and its surroundings.
It’s common for educator delegations to visit the Capitol, and Bentzel said their most recent conversations with Senator Whitney Westerfield, Representative Myron Dossett and Representative Jason Petrie proved pivotal in creating an open dialogue about the costs incurred over the last 10 years.
Among the most notable changes, from Paducah to Pikeville, is the ramp-up for student safety — something Bentzel called “more than worthwhile,” but not something that could be done for free.
Especially in the last 24 months.
Previously an unfunded mandate from Frankfort, Bentzel did note that districts are thankful for the current $20,000 per SRO line item in this year’s budget.
However, even that barely scratches the surface of the cost.
Bentzel said political minds have been “great and receptive” to these discussions, which also include please for teacher raises, tempered inflation and other district battles.
But, again, so much has changed in less than two decades. In 2009, when Bentzel was principal of Lacy Elementary School, he said there were “maybe two SROs” in the entire district, no weapon detection systems, no safety options, no wands, no video entry points, and nothing of this sort.
He said the General Assembly, and local voters, needed to understand that while some of these costs are one-time purchases, many of them will be recurring — and that raising SRO budget appropriations from $20,000 to $50,000 annually would fully fund and defray the price tag.
It would also help reshuffle other funds to needed raises, especially in the wake of what continues to be a miscalculated understanding of the SEEK formula at the state level.
Bentzel also wanted to clarify an earlier comment he’d made, considering fifth graders and the middle school transition.
On March 1, kindergarten registration opens from 8 AM until 3 PM at the Christian County Middle School. Spring Break is scheduled for April 1-5.
