UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 1266
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the Legislative Research Commission 1
to establish the Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force. 2
WHEREAS, the Kentucky School for the Deaf was created by the Kentucky 3
General Assembly on April 10, 1823; and 4
WHEREAS, the Kentucky School for the Deaf was the first institution of its kind 5
established west of the Allegheny Mountains and the first to be supported by public 6
funds; and 7
WHEREAS, the General Assembly is committed to meeting the educational needs 8
of Kentucky's deaf and hard of hearing student population; and 9
WHEREAS, the General Assembly has the responsibility of ensuring that the 10
current governance model for the Kentucky School for the Deaf is not hindering student 11
achievement and is appropriately representing the interests of its constituency; and 12
WHEREAS, the General Assembly, in fulfillment of its obligations, wishes to 13
assess the efficiency and effectiveness of a possible independent board of education to 14
govern operations of the Kentucky School for the Deaf; 15
NOW, THEREFORE, 16
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 17
Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Senate concurring therein: 18
Section 1. The Legislative Research Commission is hereby directed to establish 19
the Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force. The task force shall: 20
(1) Study and make recommendations to identify opportunities for improving the 21
governance of the Kentucky School for the Deaf; and 22
(2) Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of different models of governance, 23
including but not limited to an independent board of education. 24
Section 2. The Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force shall be 25
composed of the following members, with final membership being subject to the 26
consideration and approval of the Legislative Research Commission: 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 1266
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(1) Three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the 1
Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be designated to serve as co-chair; 2
(2) Three members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, 3
one of whom shall be designated to serve as co-chair; 4
(3) One member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Minority 5
Floor Leader of the House of Representatives; 6
(4) One member of the Senate to be appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of 7
the Senate; 8
(5) One member who is the parent or guardian of a child that attends the 9
Kentucky School for the Deaf; 10
(6) One member who is a certified teacher currently or formerly employed as a 11
classroom teacher at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, who has at least five years of 12
experience working at the school; and 13
(7) Two members with a background, knowledge, skills, or experience in the field 14
of deaf education or American Sign Language. 15
Section 3. The Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force shall 16
meet as necessary during the 2025 Interim of the General Assembly. The task force shall 17
submit any findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission for 18
referral to the appropriate committee or committees by December 1, 2025. 19
Section 4. Provisions of this Resolution to the contrary notwithstanding, the 20
Legislative Research Commission shall have the authority to alternatively assign the 21
issues identified herein to an interim joint committee or subcommittee thereof, and to 22
designate a study completion date. 23