HB 827 — AN ACT relating to school districts.

Summary

Amend KRS 160.020 to modify the minimum enrollment requirements for independent school districts to continue to operate; establish criteria for the Kentucky Board of Education to consider in an appeal of that requirement; amend KRS 160.041 to provide a merger process for any contiguous school districts; require the Kentucky Board of Education to determine the terms of merger for an insolvent district if no agreement between the school districts can be reached, and to promulgate administrative regulations regarding mergers due to insolvency.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies the criteria and procedures for independent school districts and their mergers with contiguous school districts, revising enrollment requirements and merger processes.

• KRS 160.020

  other than a designated city

  Removes the exception that independent districts other than designated cities cannot operate if below certain enrollment.

• KRS 160.020

  school census enumeration of children → average daily enrollment

  Changes the measure from school census enumeration to average daily enrollment for determining operation eligibility.

• KRS 160.020

  two hundred (200) pupils → minimum enrollment requirements

  Updates the criteria for minimum enrollment required to continue operations without the Board's approval.

• KRS 160.020

  The minimum enrollment requirements shall be: (a) Three hundred (300) in-person students for school districts providing no service in any grade nine (9) through twelve (12); and (b) Four hundred fifty (450) in-person students for school districts providing service in any grade nine (9) through twelve (12).

  Defines new specific minimum enrollment requirements based on service levels provided by the district.

• KRS 160.041

  independent

  Broadens the language to apply to all school districts, not just independent ones, for merger requests.

• KRS 160.041

  become a part of the county school district → merge with a contiguous school district

  Clarifies the nature of the merger as one with a contiguous district rather than specifically with a county district.

• KRS 160.041

  county → contiguous

  Alters the reference to the education board to specify the contiguous district instead of just the county board.

• KRS 160.041

  pass upon this → consider the request.

  Changes the language to indicate the county board will consider rather than pass on the merger request.

• KRS 160.041

  independent district with the county district

  Removes repetitive language from the merger process to streamline descriptions.

• KRS 160.041

  independent district → school district

  Generalizes terms to include all school districts in the context of merger.

• KRS 160.041

  independent district → insolvent school district

  Specifies that the district in question must be insolvent to trigger certain merger processes.

• KRS 160.041

  county school district → contiguous district

  Updates the language to specify merging districts must be contiguous, not just county-related.

• KRS 160.041

  The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish procedures and terms for the merging of school districts due to insolvency under this section.

  Adds a requirement for the Kentucky Board of Education to create regulations governing mergers due to insolvency.

Action History

1. March 10, 2026

   to Primary and Secondary Education (H)

2. March 03, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

3. March 03, 2026

   introduced in House

Sponsors

• James Tipton · Primary

Subjects