Kentucky lawmakers spend up to $10M on ‘structurally unsafe’ middle school

Kentucky lawmakers devoted up to $10 million in the final version of the state budget to severe structural issues at Estill County Middle School.

The school has severe structural failures because of foundational issues, including shifting walls, leading to restricted access to parts of the building, according to a news release from the Senate Majority Caucus.

“Engineers and state officials have determined the facility poses serious safety concerns for students and staff,” lawmakers said in the news release. “This measure treats the situation as an emergency response, reflecting the severity of the building’s condition and the need for immediate action.”

The funding was included in the final budget legislation through Senate Bill 197, which amended House Bill 500. The bill authorizes the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management to take control of construction response at the school, including giving them the ability to condemn the existing facility, support temporary instructional spaces, and move forward with rebuilding.

Estill County School officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, secured the funding “in the closing moments” of the 2026 General Assembly, according to the news release.

“This situation reached a point where action could not wait,” Smith said in the release. “No child should be expected to learn in a building that is structurally unsafe. This funding puts student safety first and allows the state to step in and stabilize the situation while long-term solutions are developed.”

Lawmakers previously provided planning funds to the district, but escalating structural concerns and safety risks required more direct state involvement, according to the news release.