Corbin Schools Superintendent responds to Knox BOE decision to end reciprocal agreement

Corbin Independent Schools Superintendent Ed McNeel released Wednesday a response to a vote by the Knox County School Board of Education to discontinue its non-resident reciprocal agreement with Corbin Schools.

Below is the entire text of that response:

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The Knox County Board of Education recently approved to stop the long-standing student reciprocal attendance agreement with the Corbin Board of Education, effective school year 2010-2011.  This decision presents two opposite views in striving to BEST serve the needs of students and parents.  Knox believes that students in their district can ONLY be BEST served in their schools and not in the Corbin school system.  The Corbin belief is that students in their district are BEST served by allowing parents to send their child to the school of their choice. 

It is reported that a major reason for the decision by the Knox County Board is the loss of state funds.  “Receipts School Year 2008-2009”, a report distributed by the Kentucky Department of Education, compiles revenue data on all Kentucky school districts.   The comparison analysis between the two school districts using student average daily attendance [ADA] for 2008-2009 indicates the following FACTS:

• Knox County received $10,435 per student in revenue from total state, local, and federal

• Corbin Schools received $8,666 per student in revenue from total state, local, and federal

• Knox County received $1,769 more per student than Corbin

•What if Corbin Independent Schools in 2008-2009 were funded at the same level as Knox County Schools?  This scenario would increase Corbin Independent’s budget by $4,082,852!

• What if Knox County Schools in 2008-2009 were funded at the same level as Corbin Independent Schools?  This scenario would decrease Knox County’s budget by $7,286,511!

As indicated from the state data, the per pupil school funding in 2008-2009 for Knox County greatly exceeds the per pupil operating funds for the Corbin school system.  Historically, the revenue per student in Knox County exceeds the funding received in Corbin.

In addition, another state report indicates that the 2009 end-of-year carryover General Fund Balance in Corbin was $1,225,531 or 5.9%.  The 2009 end-of-year carryover General Fund Balance in Knox County was $6,473,704, or 16.3%.  

The decision by the Knox Board will result in neither Corbin nor Knox school districts receiving state funds for students living in the Knox County school district and attending Corbin schools.  This reduction in state revenue for the local community in turn causes a negative economic impact for the greater tri-county area.   Both school districts lose!

Every child in every school district deserves to receive the educational opportunities that BEST meets that child’s needs.  Each educator needs to commit to providing an educational environment that allows every student to achieve high academic success.  Yes, funding in a school district is important, but what makes a difference takes place within each teacher’s classroom! 

Let each of us do what BEST serves our children.

Ed McNeel, Superintendent

Corbin Independent Schools

January 20, 2010