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Simpson County School Leader Supports Increased Dropout Age, Set to Lead State Group

The incoming president of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents says he fully backs efforts to increase the state's dropout age to 18.

Simpson County Superintendent Jim Flynn told WKU Public Radio he thinks some kids drop out because they know they aren't going to college. But Flynn believes the state is starting to do a better of identifying ways to help those not going into postsecondary education.

"Now that the state is focusing on multiple pathways into career and college readiness, it gives some students that may feel a little left out when the focus was simply on college readiness and proficiency only," says Flynn.

Flynn takes over as head of the state's Association of School Superintendents at the group's summer meeting this week in Bowling Green.

Future of Education Funding?

Flynn is hopeful that the state's improving economic outlook will boost chances for increased education funding.

The Simpson County Superintendent says some of school leaders' biggest concerns revolve around the level of education funding that will be found in the next two-year state budget.

On one hand, Flynn says he's optimistic given that last month's government receipts came in higher than anticipated and the state is expected to finish the fiscal year in better shape than predicted.

On the other hand.....

"The concern, of course, is that there are rising costs in other areas that will possibly trump more investment in education in the near future," says Flynn.

Flynn also told us he's 100% behind school districts increasing their minimum dropout age to 18. Flynn takes over this week as head of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents.

Kevin is the News Director at WKU Public Radio. He has been with the station since 1999, and was previously the Assistant News Director, and also served as local host of Morning Edition.