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Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for joining the July 15 Superintendents Webcast and submitting questions about Senate Bill 181 (2025), which requires districts to designate exclusive, traceable electronic communication systems for staff and volunteers to contact students.
We received many responses to our call for questions about the new legislation from across the Commonwealth, and we appreciate your participation. Our Senate Bill 181 Traceable Communication Systems FAQ document answers those questions and provides clarity on how to implement the new legal requirements. This document and several other guidance documents from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) are available on the KDE Legislative Guidance webpage.
As I’ve said before, these types of bills are targeted toward a very small number of bad actors. The vast majority of our teachers in the Commonwealth are great people who follow the rules, and we want to make sure we’re helping our educators continue this commitment amid changes.
Federal Funding Lawsuit
This week, Gov. Andy Beshear joined leaders from 23 other states and the District of Columbia to challenge a decision by the Trump Administration to freeze $6.8 billion in Congressionally appropriated funding, including $87 million for Kentucky schools and districts. KDE supports the legal challenge.
The federal government’s delay in releasing the funding is having – and will continue to have – many negative impacts upon the Commonwealth’s students.
The first instructional day for many of you is just three weeks away. Instead of making final preparations to welcome students back into the classroom, many of our schools are developing plans to reduce staff, cancel programs and eliminate student supports if these federal funds are not immediately released to Kentucky.
As commissioner of education, it is my responsibility to advocate for Kentucky’s students and ensure they have every possible resource available to them. It is imperative that the funds appropriated by Congress be immediately awarded to Kentucky.
Rest assured, I will keep you informed of developments as they happen.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
District Trauma-Informed Plans for 2025-2026 School Year
Pursuant to KRS 158.4416, each local board of education must develop a plan for implementing a trauma-informed approach in its schools.
Senate Bill 2 (2024) requires trauma-informed plans be reviewed and updated annually, incorporated into the annual comprehensive district improvement plan (CDIP) and submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
Districts are strongly encouraged to use the template developed by KDE to ensure their plans address all the required components identified in KRS 158.4416. More information on requirements as well as the Trauma-Informed Toolkit can be found on KDE's Trauma-Informed Practices website. Submission of the plan will be incorporated into the CDIP through the new 2025-2026 Phase Two: District Trauma-Informed Approach Plan diagnostic. The template will be uploaded with the completed diagnostic into the Cognia Continuous Improvement Platform by Nov. 1.
For more information, please contact Christina Weeter, Division of Student Success Director in the KDE Office of Continuous Improvement and Support.
National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program and Application for Category 1, 2 and 3
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) – formerly the National Title I Association – selects examples of superior, federally-funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program.
Each year, states can identify up to two Distinguished ESEA Schools in three possible categories:
- Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years.
- Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years.
- Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English Learners, etc.).
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is now accepting applications for schools for Categories 1, 2 and 3. Schools may apply for recognition in only one category, and anyone interested in applying should fill out the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program application. The application must be signed by the school principal and district superintendent and submitted by the deadline of Aug. 8.
If selected as a finalist, KDE staff will conduct a site visit to interview the principal and selected staff.
Two National ESEA Distinguished Schools from Category 1, 2 and/or 3 will be notified by email of their selection in November. For more information, email Tara Rodriguez or call (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.
Fiscal Year 2026 Community Education Request for Application Posted
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is issuing a request for application (RFA) to implement local community education initiatives for a maximum of four grants.
Community education is defined in KRS 160.155 as a program in which a public building – including a public elementary and secondary school – is used as a community center operated by a local education agency in cooperation with other groups in the community, community organizations and local government agencies to provide educational, recreational, cultural, healthcare and other related community services in accordance with the needs, interests and concerns of the community.
Grants will be awarded based on the availability of funds. Four grantees will be awarded $20,000 to employ a full-time community education director. The community education director must implement a comprehensive community education initiative countywide. Only one grant per county will be awarded.
Counties that have more than one school district must collaborate in implementing the community education initiative for all schools and communities. Applicants are required to provide a 25% ($5,000) cash match. Grant and match funds can only be used for salary to hire a full-time community education director.
General Information
Applications will only be accepted from public school districts that submit a plan to implement community education activities countywide. If multiple school districts are located within the county, then all school districts must be involved in the development and design of the application. Only one grant per county may be submitted for consideration. If more than one grant from the same county is submitted, both will be disqualified and not scored.
Current community education grantees are not eligible to apply and do not need to reapply to maintain your grant award.
Grant Period and Contract
The grant is anticipated to begin Sept. 1, 2025. Pending funding availability, community education grants are renewable annually if all grant assurances and requirements are met.
Grant Requirements
A public school district may receive funding for a community school program if the following criteria established in KRS 160.157 are met:
- Submits an application for approval;
- Submits a plan to the Kentucky Department of Education, approved by the local board of education, which outlines the proposed community education program, including procedures for obtaining the involvement and cooperation of other agencies and groups in identifying and recommending programs for meeting locally determined needs;
- Establishes an advisory council to assist in conducting community needs assessments and recommending program priorities to district leaders; and
- Employs one full-time community education director.
Submission
To assist applicants in preparing a quality application, please review the prerecorded technical assistance webinar that addresses essential grant requirements, budget preparation and state guidance.
The deadline to submit applications is July 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET. The application can be found on the KDE Competitive Grants webpage.
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