Boone County speakers press board to adopt paid parental leave; board holds first reading of sick-leave policy tied to KRS 161.155
Summary
Teachers and employees urged the board to adopt paid parental/maternity leave under Kentucky Senate Bill 9; the board conducted a first reading of a proposed sick-leave policy that would offer options to reduce future pension liabilities under KRS 161.155 and requested further budget and legal review.
Multiple teachers, staff and community members urged the Boone County Board of Education to adopt paid parental or maternity leave in line with Kentucky Senate Bill 9 during the audience-of-citizens portion of the December meeting.
Bonnie Schubert, a Boone County teacher, described having to rely on accrued sick days rather than paid maternity leave and asked the board to enact a policy effective Jan. 1, 2026, citing the state law: “There is no time to waste. Our teachers deserve the support from our county, just as our state has already provided.” Charlie Bafano, president of the Boone County Classified Employees Association, also called for a childbearing-leave policy that covers education support personnel.
Several teachers supplied concrete examples of how the district’s current 10 sick and 3 personal days framework leaves new parents with only a few paid days for childbirth and recovery. Teacher Lydia Jones said that, because of prenatal appointments and typical use of PTO, a teacher could end up with effectively 5 paid maternity days and face “a financial burden” if required to take the standard 6–8 weeks.
On the agenda the board held a first reading of policy revisions (03.1232 / 03.2232) intended in part to address new reporting and pension-cost liabilities raised under KRS 161.155. Administration described an option allowing employees who carry over more than 13 sick days to convert excess days into a 403(b) deposit as a way to reduce possible future unfunded pension liabilities that the Commonwealth may bill to the district.
Board members pressed administration for more detail. A member noted that the KRS provision limits the percentage used to calculate payouts and questioned whether a proposed 125% payout of current daily rate would comply. Board members asked for actuarial estimates, legal review by the district attorney, and budget-committee vetting before any second reading or adoption. Administration said procedures and more detailed numbers would be returned for a second reading and that the policy had been discussed at a November budget committee meeting.
The board did not adopt the policy at first reading; members asked staff to return with legal clarifications and budget impacts. Several public speakers asked the board to act more promptly on paid parental leave, citing recruitment, retention and fairness concerns.
