KY House votes for plan requiring new teachers to work longer, pay more for retirement John Cheves, Lexington Herald-Leader
Feb. 4 The Kentucky House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a Republican-backed bill that would change the teacher pension system for new hires, sending it to the Senate for consideration.
Just two hours earlier, the House State Government Committee approved House Bill 258. It would require teachers hired after Jan. 1 to contribute more toward their retirement benefits, capping the state s obligation at 10 percent of salary, and to work at least 30 years instead of the current minimum of 27 years.
The new plan s salary replacement for retired teachers would be comparable to what retirees currently get, said the bill s lead sponsor, state Rep. C. Ed Massey, R-Hebron. Unlike most workers, Kentucky school teachers are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, so their pensions are especially critical.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education reported Tuesday that participation of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid has dropped 19% for high school seniors. The form is necessary for students to receive financial aid for college.
Although submissions are down 19%, the state has ranked 12th in the country for submissions as of Jan. 22.
âThe overall percentage of FAFSA filers, which includes high school seniors, current college students and adults, shows a 13% drop over this time last year, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority,â the council stated in a news release.
The council has launched the FAFSA February campaign, aiming to reverse the downward trend. It will use social media campaigns and other news organizations to encourage completing the FAFSA.
Hope International University, Fullerton, Calif., is featured in a 45-minute interview for the
Character Up podcast.
The podcast’s host site,
PodBean, writes: “Bill has a profound perspective on the importance of getting closer to Christ as safety protocols and recovery from his battle with COVID-19 have gotten him further from being on the hardwood with his team. Bill has dealt with personal tragedy and loss in a way that will truly inspire you and has inspired his players to do something that will impact others.”
Crossroads Christian Church in Washington Court House, Ohio, has seen its in-person and online attendance both trending up in recent months.
featured Education groups sound alarm over 19% drop in FAFSA filings for high school seniors, launch statewide information campaign
CPE press release
Feb 2, 2021
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) â Education groups in Kentucky are launching an information campaign this month calling on students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA form. Filling out the form is a crucial step to receive need-based aid that you donât pay back and other financial assistance.
In addition to the federal Pell grant, the FAFSA is required for three of Kentuckyâs popular need-based aid programs the College Access Program (CAP) Grant, the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) and the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, which helps cover tuition and fees for adults who have not yet earned an associate degree.
New research from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education shows that college degrees and other credentials provide a substantial boost to lifetime