Superintendent urges lawmakers to restore school funding as district warns proposed cuts would reduce services

Superintendent Travis Wilder told the Corbin Board of Education on Feb. 19 that proposed changes at the state level — including a flat SEEK allocation and potential reductions in transportation funding — would amount to an effective funding cut for the Corbin district and could force service reductions or require the district to supplement costs locally.

Wilder said SEEK remaining “flat” is not neutral for school budgets because personnel costs typically increase about 1% annually, which the district would have to absorb. He also warned the board that proposed cuts to transportation funding would exacerbate an existing local burden: the district already supplements bus operations by “hundreds of thousands of dollars” each year, he said. Wilder added that proposed increases in insurance premiums could further strain employee compensation and benefits for workers such as bus drivers, custodians and food‑service staff.

"An increase to SEEK is vital to provide the necessary services to the students and staff in our district," Wilder said, urging community members to contact Representatives Tom O'Dell Smith and Nick Wilson and Senator Stivers to advocate for full funding. The superintendent framed the appeals as a call for constituents to make their priorities known to state lawmakers before budget decisions are finalized.

No board action was taken at the meeting on state legislation; the update was informational and intended to prompt local advocacy. The board did not vote on any related resolutions during the Feb. 19 session.