CHAPTER 118
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
1
CHAPTER 118
( HB 825 )
AN ACT relating to an audit of the Kentucky Department of Education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
ď˘Section 1. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts
shall conduct a special examination of the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky School for the Blind,
the Kentucky School for the Deaf, and the department operated area technology centers and shall assess the extent to
which the department complies with statutory mandates and requirements.
(2) The Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts or its authorized agents shall conduct a special
examination to assess the Kentucky Department of Education's operational effectiveness relating to the efficient
management, control, and operation of the schools, departments, projects, and initiatives under its jurisdiction,
including identification of those departments, projects, and initiatives that do not serve to improve the educational
outcomes of the Commonwealth's students. The examination shall identify any area of operation demonstrating a
significant lack of efficiency and effectiveness. The examination shall include but not be limited to the following
areas:
(a) Academic standards;
(b) Statewide accountability and assessments;
(c) Monitoring and consolidated monitoring of districts and programs;
(d) Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives;
(e) Exceptional children;
(f) Preschool;
(g) Model curriculum;
(h) State board oversight of the commissioner of education;
(i) Area technology centers;
(j) Interscholastic athletics;
(k) Staffing and support of the Education Professional Standards Board;
(l) Community education programs and services; and
(m) The performance of the commissioner of education as it relates to managing the Kentucky Department
of Education.
(3) The Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts or its authorized agents shall have the authority provided
under KRS 43.080 for conducting the special examination under this Act.
(4) The Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts may contract with a third party to perform a full
performance review of the facilities operated by and the programs administered by the Department of Education. The
Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts may contract with an entity that has experience in reviewing the
performance of state education agencies and their facilities and programs.
(5) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Office of Public Accounts shall procure professional
services by a personal service contract through noncompetitive negotiation with an entity that has experience in
reviewing the performance of state education agencies and their facilities and programs.
(6) The contracting party shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Legislative Research
Commission concerning the exchange of materials and work papers and maintenance of confidentiality. The contract
shall provide that the performance review results shall be reported to the Legislative Research Commission, the
standing and interim Education Committees, and any materials related to the performance review shall be provided to
the Legislative Research Commission and the standing and interim Education Committees. An initial preliminary
report of the results of the performance review shall be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by
October 15, 2024, to be distributed to relevant committees. ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2
(7) Upon completion of the special examination, the office shall prepare a report of the examination's
findings and recommendations. The report shall include recommendations on how the fiscal controls and operations
of the Kentucky Department of Education may be improved. The report shall be electronically submitted and
presented to the Interim Joint Committee on Education by July 1, 2025. A copy shall be furnished to the Kentucky
Board of Education.
(8) The cost of the special examination shall be borne by the Kentucky Department of Education through
the department's general operating fund.
Became law without Governor's signature April 9, 2024.