Senate Amendments to HB 241 Cause Concerns and Threatens Support from House Bill's Primary Sponsor Rep. Timmy Truett (Free Access)

A House Bill aimed at providing Kentucky school districts with the flexibility to make up for lost instructional days due to recent floods passed in the Senate on Thursday. However, the bill's original sponsor is reconsidering his support following a recent amendment.

“I’m fighting for my kids not just in my district, but for all kids in Kentucky,” expressed Rep. Timmy Truett, R-McKee. House Bill 241, which received bipartisan approval in the House of Representatives with a vote of 82 to 7, seeks to allow local districts affected by floods and other emergencies to extend instructional time during the remaining school days instead of adding extra days to the end of the school year. Under the proposal, schools may be able to waive up to five attendance days.

A Senate committee's amendment to the bill, however, has complicated the situation. “I appreciate Rep. Truett's hard work and understand his perspective,” said Sen. Steve West, R-Paris. The amendment introduces a provision that allows for unrestricted growth of virtual programs or online alternatives within public school districts. This is akin to Senate Bill 268, which allows for a trial period of such virtual programs through June 30, 2026; the amendment to House Bill 241 extends this trial period to June 30, 2028.

“Senate Bill 268 has been discussed in this committee prior to its passage,” noted Sen. West. “There are no significant changes to the language since it came out of this committee.”

Rep. Truett acknowledged that he supports the development of virtual instruction but is advocating for safeguards that, in his view, are lacking in the three-year trial period. “This bill could have passed two weeks ago, giving districts that opportunity to add instructional time and potentially avoid extending the school year,” he stated.

While Rep. Truett remains committed to passing flexible scheduling as a necessity, he indicated he cannot support House Bill 241 in its amended form. “What frustrates me most is how hard I fought for this bill, and I believe my superintendents, principals, and teachers will understand my position once they see the amendment and recognize the intent behind our efforts,” he added. 

As a result, House Bill 241 must return to the House with the amendments for further consideration.