One-time spending plan paves way for EKU medical school and more KY education projects

Eastern Kentucky University is set to get about $50 million to move it closer to accreditation for a future osteopathic medicine school. 

The university has been seeking the financial support from the Kentucky General Assembly for a few years. Before lawmakers adjourned last week for the veto period, they unveiled $1.7 billion in one-time spending over the biennium in House Bill 900.

The package includes $42 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year for EKU to put in an escrow account required to accredit the medical school and $8 million in the 2026-fiscal year for associated start-up costs. 

Sarah Baker, a spokesperson for EKU, said in a statement to the Kentucky Lantern that the university is “grateful” for the support from lawmakers, calling it an investment that “marks a critical step toward meeting accreditation requirements and advancing planning efforts.” 

“With these funds in place, EKU will continue working through the accreditation process while refining academic, operational and facility plans,” EKU said. “The university remains focused on preparing to launch a program that will help address Kentucky’s physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved communities.” 

Baker added that EKU is continuing to pursue funding for a Center of Health Innovation, “which would house 3,000 students pursuing healthcare degrees, including the osteopathic medical program, nursing, occupational therapy and numerous other medical programs.” 

“EKU looks forward to continued collaboration with state leaders as this project moves into its next phases,” Baker said. 

If another piece of legislation gains final passage when lawmakers return to Frankfort later this month, EKU would be directed, along with the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky, to study possible solutions to Kentucky’s physician shortages and how to explore and expand health care opportunities. UofL and UK have established medical schools. 

What would be in the final version of HB 900 was unclear throughout the legislative session, as the House and Senate passed one-page versions with sparse details about what projects would be funded. The final version, which came out of a free conference committee last week, is 58 pages and currently on Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk. 

Should he issue a veto on any legislation, the Republican-controlled General Assembly has the numbers to easily override it. 

Other educational projects listed in HB 900

• The Northern Kentucky Area Development District will get $2.5 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year to support a school of innovation pilot project in Covington, and another $5 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year to support two schools approved by the Kentucky Board of Education. The General Assembly established “schools of innovation” through a 2025 law. Their operations can subcontract their management to outside entities such as charter school operators. This year’s Senate Bill 263 makes some changes to the waiver process and sets up the pilot project. 
• An endowed research fund managed by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, which will have five consortium accounts, funded by $37.5 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The funding will be distributed evenly across the five accounts, with $1.5 million given annually for five years to each research consortium. This is the funding mechanism for legislation backed by Republican Senate President Robert Stivers, of Manchester, to encourage Kentucky’s public universities to collaborate on research projects. 
• The Marion County Board of Education will receive $10 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year for a new Lebanon Elementary School. 
• The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) will get $2.2 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year for the Glendale Training Center at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. 
• Christian County Public Schools will get $504,000 in the 2026-27 fiscal year to buy vehicles and equipment for its school-based law enforcement agency. 
• Clay County Public Schools will receive $5.5 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year to fund renovations at Paces Creek Elementary School. 
• The University of Louisville will get $1.3 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year to establish a literacy and numeracy clinic in the West End of Louisville. 
• McCreary Central High School will receive $1.3 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year to build an access road. 
• The Lexington Fayette Urban County Government will be awarded $1.5 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year to fund a scholarship through the Ed Brown Society.
• Western Kentucky University will receive $7.7 million in the next two fiscal years each for information technology infrastructure upgrades.
• Frankfort Independent Schools will get $1 million in the next two fiscal years each for facilities maintenance and modernization. 
• $2.5 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year to the University of Louisville to pursue a National Cancer Institute designation. 
• Improvements to Lyon County Public Schools facilities will be funded with $3 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year. 
• The Warren County Board of Education will get $9.1 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year to support the IMPACT Center for Leadership and Innovation. The center educates students in grades 7-12 to prepare them for futuristic careers. 
• Rockcastle County Public Schools will get $500,000 in the 2026-27 fiscal year to fund facility support infrastructure and associated equipment needs. 
• Todd County Public Schools will receive $500,000 in the next two fiscal years each for renovations, upgrades to facilities and general support.
• Williamstown Independent Schools will get $1.5 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year for school renovations. 
• Lincoln County Public Schools will have $2.5 million in the next two fiscal years each for educational upgrades and renovations. HB 900 says the money “shall not be expended on athletic facilities.” 
• Garrard County Public Schools will get $2.5 million in the next two fiscal years each for educational upgrades and renovations. 
• Russellville Independent Schools will receive $500,000 in the next two fiscal years each for upgrades and renovations to school facilities and general support.
• An addition to the McCracken County High School career and technical education building will be funded with $2 million in the next two fiscal years each. 
• A rural workforce study conducted by KCTCS, the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet and other partners to identify long-term rural workforce needs will be funded by $250,000 in the 2026-27 fiscal year.