On Jan. 21, Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher stated that the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) “is currently tracking an estimated SEEK shortfall of $12 million for funding to public school districts provided in Kentucky statutes. KDE estimates an additional shortfall of $28 million for funding to public school districts that is specifically conditioned on the availability of funds.”
The Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (or SEEK) formula determines the allocation of funds to local school districts. The budget for the state of Kentucky is written bi-annually based on a variety of data projections given to the Kentucky General Assembly by the KDE. As Fletcher notes, “These projections are always estimates using the best data available at the time. If estimates are too low, a funding shortage is always a possibility.”
While the funding deficit is of concern, it is not unprecedented. “From fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2024, a SEEK shortfall has occurred four times,” according to Fletcher. Additionally, the formula has previously included a surplus of funds. “During the 2021 fiscal year, there was a $231,000 surplus in SEEK appropriations. During the last fiscal year, there was a $156.3 million surplus in SEEK appropriations,” said Fletcher. On occasions when KDE has more funding than it needs, those funds are reallocated to the state’s general fund.
While there is currently an estimated $40,000 expected deficit, these numbers are only estimates and will not be finalized until March 1. At that point in time KDE will inform individual school districts of the impact of the deficit.
While this deficit is certainly not inconsequential, the estimated deficit accounts for a mere 1.43% of the overall SEEK funding of $2.7 billion.
Despite the estimated shortage, Kentucky is not left without a path forward. “We are currently working closely with the Office of State Budget Director and the chairs of the appropriations and Revenue committees in the House and Senate to explore funding options that may address this estimated shortfall and minimize impacts to Kentucky’s public schools,” stated Fletcher. “As always, we thank them for their assistance, and we look forward to working together to find a path forward.”
Photo courtesy of Vermont Public.
