by Grace Schneider, Courier Journal –
A plan to reform the state’s retirement systems majorly affects teachers. Rachel Aretakis/Courier-Journal/USA TODAY Network
The Bullitt County schools became the first local system to agree to cancel classes to allow teachers to rally in Frankfort if a special legislative session is called on pension reform.
The school board voted 4-0 at a special meeting Wednesday to approve a resolution giving Superintendent Keith Davis the authority to cancel classes for a day if the session is called – and if it appears most teachers will head to Frankfort to attend rallies.
Making contingency plans is a good idea because the proposed revisions to the pension systems will have a big impact on the community, said Debby Atherton, chairwoman of the school board and a retired administrator.
“I’d like to see them change some parts of the (pension) bill,” Atherton said after the meeting.
An estimated 80 percent of school systems around the state have notified the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents that they intend to schedule a day off, which will be made up later, to allow teachers to go to Frankfort, according to Bo Matthews, Barren County Schools superintendent and president of the association’s board.
No date has been set for the session, but several unions and other groups representing public employees have been working on plans to take busloads to the Capitol to rally against the Republican-backed proposal. Neither Jefferson County Public Schools nor Oldham schools have made a decision about whether to close.
Tom Shelton, executive director of the superintendents, wrote late last month to Kentucky’s school chiefs urging them to consider canceling classes to allow teachers and other employees to attend rallies.
In response, Gov. Matt Bevin criticized Shelton and teachers for undermining attempts to fix the pension problem – the state’s plans are severely underfunded – and for trying to cause “mayhem” when legislators meet.
Bullitt Superintendent Keith Davis said he asked for the board’s support because the changes will affect the public schools, the teaching profession and the entire community for years.
Atherton agreed, saying she’s concerned about a provision that would eliminate the ability of school districts to hire long-term substitutes. Many experienced former teachers fill in for younger teachers taking maternity leave. But proposed new rules would prohibit subs working for more than 20 days.
Nicole Kleinhelter, the mother of a second-grader and fifth-grader at Pleasant Grove Elementary, said she thinks the school board made the right decision. The teachers should get a chance to participate in the process.
“I feel like the community owes them that day for all they do for our kids every day,” Kleinhelter said.
Reporter Grace Schneider can be reached at 502-582-4082 or [email protected].