<div id="subtitle">Floor vote planned for bill to make Ky. eligible for up to $200 million in education funding</div><div><p>A fast-tracked proposal intended to strengthen Kentucky's application for a massive infusion of federal school improvement money will face revisions before receiving a floor vote, Senate Education Chairman Ken Winters said Tuesday.</p><p>Winters, R-Murray, didn't rule out tacking on a provision to create charter schools, which would get state money but be exempted from many of the regulations that apply to other public schools.</p><p>"We've yet to make that decision," he told reporters after a Senate Education Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>Kentucky Education Association President Sharron Oxendine said her organization, which represents 32,000 teachers, hasn't taken a position on the legislation. However, Oxendine said, if the Senate includes a provision calling for charter schools, the organization would object.</p><p>Lawmakers have been rushing to get the legislation through the House and Senate and signed by Gov. Steve Beshear this week so that the state can meet a Jan. 19 deadline for applying for up to $200 million in federal school improvement money over four years. The money, part of last year's federal stimulus package, is intended to improve low-performing schools.</p><p>Winters said he expects a floor vote in the Senate on Wednesday. The House passed its version of the measure 96-0 on Monday.</p><p>States across the country are competing for the money. Recipients will be chosen on the strength of their applications, and some lawmakers believe Kentucky would improve its chances by including a charter school provision.</p><p>Tapping into the money is especially important to Kentucky because of budget shortfalls that could trigger spending cuts in the upcoming two-year budget cycle.</p><p>Education Commissioner Terry Holliday said low-performing schools would be in line to receive federal help, though administrators and teachers could lose their jobs in the process.</p><p>"I may be embarrassed to be one of these schools, but I sure would want the money," Holliday told lawmakers.</p><p>___</p><p>The legislation is House Bill 176.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66825832&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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