LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Kentucky’s Interim Education Commissioner testified before a joint House and Senate committee about budget cuts to the Department of Education on Thursday in Frankfort. Following the testimony, lawmakers quizzed Doctor Wayne Lewis about the recommended state takeover of the Jefferson County Public Schools.
State Representative Democrat Rick Rand of Trimble County voiced concern that Dr. Wayne Lewis has yet to announce a plan for the district. The Interim Education Commissioner, Dr. Lewis, repeated what he told the Board of Education earlier in the month stating that it was against state regulations to do anything until after the board voted for a takeover.
“I would submit to you that if we don’t have a plan at this point we’re going down the wrong road,” Rep. Rand said to Dr. Lewis.
The Interim Commissioner responded, “Well, I would submit to you, respectfully submit to you, Representative Rand, that I have to follow the law.”
The state lawmaker added, “With that said, I don’t think the law says you don’t have a plan.”
Dr. Lewis interjected, “It does sir.”
“Then we need to change the law but I would doubt very seriously if that’s what it prescribes you to do,” responded Rep. Rand.
Doctor Lewis admitted that the takeover would be “costly” but insists that he did not recommend the takeover simply due to student achievement outcomes.
“I made the recommendation to the Kentucky Board of Education that Jefferson County become a state-managed district to protect children and I would spend the very last dime we have in the Kentucky Department of Education budget on any district if it meant protecting children from neglect and abuse that I’ve seen in the Jefferson County Public Schools,” Dr. Lewis said.
JCPS intends to fight the takeover effort during a hearing. The date of that hearing is yet to be determined but Thursday Dr. Lewis said the newly named hearing officer was negotiating with attorneys for the KBE and JCPS to decide on the date.
Lewis said he was unsure of when it will take place but he expects a late summer or early fall hearing.