AN ACT relating to education.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve West

The bill would let Kentucky's Board of Education negotiate discounted personal computer purchases and provide training for all certified teachers to use them.

to Committee on Committees (S)

#education #elementaryandsecondary #technicalcorrections

Summary of SB 235 (2026 Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and Intent

SB 235 aims to support Kentucky teachers by establishing a state-backed program to help certified teachers purchase personal computers for their own use. The bill directs the Kentucky Board of Education to facilitate access to affordable computers and to provide training on their use, with the goal of enhancing teachers’ technology readiness and integration in the classroom.

Key Provisions

Program Establishment: The Kentucky Board of Education shall initiate a program to assist and encourage each certified teacher to purchase a personal computer.

Price Negotiation and Bidding: The Board must obtain the lowest possible purchase prices for a range of personal computers through competitive bidding or negotiation on behalf of interested teachers.

Training Component: The Board shall arrange a suitable training program in the use of the computers, in collaboration with the vendor awarded the contract.

Who Is Affected

Target Beneficiaries: All certified teachers in Kentucky who are interested in purchasing personal computers for their own use.

Administrative Body: The Kentucky Board of Education, which would administer procurement negotiations and coordinate training.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Implementation Mechanism: The provisions require the Board to secure favorable pricing and organize training, implying upcoming contracts with computer vendors and training providers.

Legal Authority: The changes would amend KRS 156.690 to authorize and implement the described program through the Kentucky Board of Education.

Status: Introduced in the Senate on February 24, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Committees (S).

Potential Impact and Considerations

Accessibility and Equity: By leveraging bulk purchasing and negotiation, the program could reduce the out-of-pocket cost for teachers to acquire personal computers.

Professional Development: The included training component could improve teachers’ digital literacy and effective use of technology for instruction and planning.

Operational Costs: The initiative would require funding for procurement processes and training, as well as ongoing administration by the Board.

Scope: The act focuses specifically on personal use by teachers (not classroom devices) and on personal computer purchases rather than hardware for school-based purposes.

This summary captures the bill’s core aim to support teacher technology access through negotiated pricing and training, pending further legislative action and potential amendments.