Commonwealth Policy Center

Gov. Andy Beshear’s removal of the Kentucky State Board of Education has drawn a lawsuit. Ten of eleven members filed in court and argue that Gov. Beshear overstepped his bounds. The governor said that he “reorganized the state board of education and appointed new members who support public education and that they “were not chosen based on any partisan affiliation but based on their commitment to make our schools better. To put our children first.” The implication was that the existing board wasn’t committed to making public schools better. In their first official meeting, they ousted Commissioner of Education Wayne Lewis who favored educational choice and accountability that public schools perform at high levels. The court case won’t be resolved until next year, but it will determine the limits on a governor’s reorganization powers.