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Superintendent briefs board on federal scholarship tax‑credit and modest state per‑pupil increases
Summary
Superintendent McCauley summarized a new federal tax‑credit mechanism (House Bill 1) enabling taxpayers to direct up to $1,700 to scholarship granting organizations after a veto override, and described House Bill 500 as delivering modest per‑pupil increases (about 0.8% next year); he announced a town hall to explain impacts.
Superintendent McCauley briefed the Paris Independent School Board on two pieces of budget and education legislation during the March 17 meeting, telling board members how the measures could affect district finances and local options.
McCauley described a federal tax credit mechanism that he said would allow taxpayers who owe federal taxes to direct a portion of those taxes to scholarship‑granting organizations (SGOs). "So instead of writing a check to United States Treasury for $2,200, you could write a check for $1,700 to a scholarship granting organization," McCauley said, summarizing the effect staff discussed. He said the board’s education foundation will talk with the Bluegrass Community Foundation about whether that foundation could become an SGO and direct funds back to local public schools.
On the state budget (House Bill 500), McCauley said the enacted plan provides modest increases to SEEK/state per‑pupil funding: about 0.8% in the coming fiscal year (roughly $40 per pupil) and about 3% the following year. He noted that when adjusted for inflation and retirement/benefit costs, many districts still feel funding pressure and that transportation funding remains near 80% of full need.
McCauley invited the community to a town hall the following Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the round building next to the high school to discuss these updates and answer questions.
The board did not take action on these legislative items during the meeting; McCauley presented them for information and community outreach planning.
