education bills controversy

Up.

That wasn't the only controversial bill voted on today.

Two bills involving education also faced pushback.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswain is live in studio with more.

School choice and the make-up of the kentucky board of education drew sharp debate today.

L3: abc 36 news white school choice bill headed to senate for vote kentucky the school choice bill cleared a senate committee this morning and is headed to the full senate.

House bill 5-63 allows students to attend school out of district and creates what are known as education opportunity accounts..

The accounts would be funded by tax- deductible donations and be used to pay for items like books, online classes or tutoring..

It also allows private school tuition in jefferson, fayette and kenton counties..

Critics of the bill say it drains money from public schools to fund private schools... and say it will be particularly harmful to rural schools..

Supporters say the money will help fill gaps in services a student may need -- and benefit poorer students by allowing them to apply for the education opportunity accounts.

Parents and members of ed choice kentucky made their voices heard in frankfort today...in a last minute effort to get the bill passed.

"covid-19 is a trgedy and we don't want to make light of that in any way, but i think it did shine a light on inequities in the current system, and i think for the first time in a while, legislatures are seeing that and wanting to do something about it.'

L3: abc 36 news white house questions senate amendment on ky board of education would eliminate student ... also seeing resistance.... a senate amendment to a house bill on the make-up of the kentucky board of education.

The bill requires the board reflect equal gender, political affiliation and minority groups and would prohibit the governor from reorganizing the board.

While those portions of the bill have bi-partisan support... lawmakers in the house questioned a senate amendment removing non-voting teacher and student members from the board.

"if we had an agriculture board without a farmer on it, if we had a police board without a policeman on it, if we had a bar association without an attorney on it, it wouldn't float."

The house rejected the amendment and the bill was sent back to the senate.

We will keep you updated on both of these bills.

Bobbi mcswine...abc 36 news.