The Knox County School Board is expected to discuss the lawsuit filed by Corbin Independent Schools over the decision to end the student reciprocal agreement when it meets in regular session Tuesday night.
David Cole, public relations director for Knox County Schools, said the board has taken no action since being served with the lawsuit. Knox County Schools Superintendent Walter T. Hulett said previously the board’s attorney is preparing a response to the suit.
The Knox County board has 20 days in which to file a response in Franklin Circuit Court.
In January, the Knox County Board of Education voted to end the reciprocal agreement with Corbin, which permits students from one school district to attend the other without paying tuition. Hulett cited the loss of $1.3 million annually in state education funding as the reason for the decision.
The Corbin Board of Education appealed the decision to Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday.
After hearing from both sides, Holliday extended the agreement through the 2010-11 school year, permitted students already enrolled under the agreement to continue until they graduate and ordered that state funding follow the student to the district in which he or she is enrolled in school.
The Kentucky Board of Education upheld Holliday’s decision, adding that siblings of students already enrolled under the agreement, may also do so.
Holliday and the board both suggested the school systems engage in mediation to try to reach and permanent solution.
The board will meet 6:30 P.M at the annex building in Barbourville.
