By Kenny Colston
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo says he's interested in hearing more about charter schools, after a new group launched TV ads in support of the educational reform this morning. Shelbyville Republican Brad Montell has introduced legislation into the house allowing charter schools for several years. And supporters in the state Senate have filed and passed bills in that chamber. All the measures have died in the House. But Stumbo says this could be the year that breaks the pattern.
"I'm open to listening because I think anytime that we have a new idea about education improvement we should listen. But I have reservations because we can't allow our public schools to be impacted negatively."
Kentucky is among nine states that do not allow charter schools. Their absence is one thing many supporters of the reform say has kept the state from winning multiple Race to the Top federal education grants.