Committee approves extra school‑finance training hours for school board members

Senator Matt Deneen told the committee Senate Bill 71 expands required training for school board members to improve their knowledge of school finance. "This bill simply extends two hours of training in school finance," Deneen said, describing the change as an addition to the existing school‑finance training requirement and intended to help board members read budgets and make better district finance decisions.

Deneen said the bill was developed in collaboration with the Kentucky School Board Association and that the training will prepare board members "to be better prepared to serve their districts, their superintendents, and assist them with school finance." Several senators supported the measure and emphasized the need for academic rigor in trainings so participants do more than "check the box," citing the need to understand accounting terms and balance sheets.

The committee considered a title amendment and, after a brief roll call, reported SB71 with a unanimous favorable vote.

Committee members discussed implementation and encouraged training providers to ensure substantive content. No amendments altering the bill's substance were adopted in committee.