KentuckySB 22026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to school administrators and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Julie Raque Adams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education, Elementary And SecondaryEducation, Finance

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Superintendent credentials, contracts, and vacancy rules

A superintendent must show a valid Education Professional Standards Board certificate before starting and keep it valid, and must finish the required training and assessment within two years. They must live in Kentucky after appointment and cannot serve as a director or officer of a bank, trust company, or savings and loan that holds district funds. Each board must post every superintendent contract or change on the district website and send a scanned copy and accessible text file to the Kentucky Department of Education within 30 days. The Department must post them within 30 days and keep them online for at least ten school years. Superintendent terms start July 1 and can last up to four years; if there is a vacancy, the board may appoint an acting superintendent for up to six months, with one renewal up to three months, and may delay filling a vacancy that occurs after a board election until new members take office. Appointments to unexpired terms must end on June 30.

Superintendent pay raises tied to teachers

Beginning July 1, 2026, any new superintendent contract, renewal, or extension cannot give a larger percentage raise than classroom teachers in that district. Other administrators also cannot get a bigger percentage raise than teachers unless it is a real promotion with major new duties or a uniform raise for that job category. Local boards may ask the Commissioner of Education for a waiver. If the Commissioner denies it, the denial can be appealed under KRS 156.161.

Educational TV facilities leasing authority

The Kentucky Board of Education may lease land and buildings to set up educational TV and related facilities for classrooms. Initial leases can end the next June 30 and may renew for two‑year terms; the board cannot be bound for more than one fiscal biennium at a time. The board must hire a qualified public agency to run them and cannot allow political propaganda, partisan uses, or commercial ads. The board may use appropriations and donations to pay rent and operations.

State board can't add new reports

Starting June 27, 2025, the State Board of Education cannot add new reporting for schools or districts unless state or federal law clearly authorizes it. This limits new paperwork from the board.

One section takes effect immediately

Section 3 takes effect immediately when the Governor signs the Act or it otherwise becomes law. The Act declares an emergency so this section is in force right away.

Girls' basketball required where boys play

Any secondary school that has a boys basketball team beyond intramurals must also have a girls team. Anyone in the district can ask the Department of Education for a hearing on compliance. If the Department finds a violation, the district is barred from varsity competition in any sport for one year. At the hearing, the district may show it cannot comply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Julie Raque Adams
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Donald Douglas
Republican • Senate
Lindsey Tichenor
Republican • Senate
Chris Lewis
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 164 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

passed

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 90 • No: 4

Senate vote • 2/9/2026