UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 156
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AN ACT relating to an audit of the Kentucky Department of Education. 1
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
ď˘Section 1. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Office of the 3
Auditor of Public Accounts shall conduct a special examination of the Kentucky 4
Department of Education, the Kentucky School for the Blind, the Kentucky School for 5
the Deaf, and the department operated area technology centers and shall assess the extent 6
to which the department complies with statutory mandates and requirements. 7
(2) The Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts or its authorized agents shall 8
conduct a special examination to assess the Kentucky Department of Education's 9
operational effectiveness relating to the efficient management, control, and operation of 10
the schools, departments, projects, and initiatives under its jurisdiction, including 11
identification of those departments, projects, and initiatives that do not serve to improve 12
the educational outcomes of the Commonwealth's students. The examination shall 13
identify any area of operation demonstrating a significant lack of efficiency and 14
effectiveness. The examination shall include but not be limited to the following areas: 15
(a) Academic standards; 16
(b) Statewide accountability and assessments; 17
(c) Monitoring and consolidated monitoring of districts and programs; 18
(d) Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; 19
(e) Exceptional children; 20
(f) Preschool; 21
(g) Model curriculum; 22
(h) State board oversight of the commissioner of education; 23
(i) Area technology centers; 24
(j) Interscholastic athletics; 25
(k) Staffing and support of the Education Professional Standards Board; 26
(l) Community education programs and services; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 156
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(m) The performance of the commissioner of education as it relates to managing 1
the Kentucky Department of Education. 2
(3) The Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts or its authorized agents shall 3
have the authority provided under KRS 43.080 for conducting the special examination 4
under this Act. 5
(4) The Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts may contract with a third party 6
to perform a full performance review of the facilities operated by and the programs 7
administered by the Department of Education. The Office of the Auditor of Public 8
Accounts may contract with an entity that has experience in reviewing the performance 9
of state education agencies and their facilities and programs. 10
(5) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Office of Public Accounts shall 11
procure professional services by a personal service contract through noncompetitive 12
negotiation with an entity that has experience in reviewing the performance of state 13
education agencies and their facilities and programs. 14
(6) The contracting party shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with 15
the Legislative Research Commission concerning the exchange of materials and work 16
papers and maintenance of confidentiality. The contract shall provide that the 17
performance review results shall be reported to the Legislative Research Commission, the 18
standing and interim Education Committees, and any materials related to the performance 19
review shall be provided to the Legislative Research Commission and the standing and 20
interim Education Committees. An initial preliminary report of the results of the 21
performance review shall be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by 22
October 15, 2024, to be distributed to relevant committees. 23
(7) Upon completion of the special examination, the office shall prepare a report 24
of the examination's findings and recommendations. The report shall include 25
recommendations on how the fiscal controls and operations of the Kentucky Department 26
of Education may be improved. The report shall be electronically submitted and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 156
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presented to the Interim Joint Committee on Education by July 1, 2025. A copy shall be 1
furnished to the Kentucky Board of Education. 2
(8) The cost of the special examination shall be borne by the Kentucky 3
Department of Education through the department's general operating fund. 4