# Kentucky Board of Education OKs Innovation Waivers for Covington Independent Schools **Published:** 2026-08-28T19:45:36.000Z **Source:** [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/kbe-approves-school-of-innovation-designations-for-covington-independent-grants-waiver-requests-related-to-two-regulations-during-special-meeting/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-board-of-education-oks-innovation-waivers-for-covington-independent The Kentucky Board of Education has approved school of innovation designations for Covington Independent Schools, clearing the way for the district to pursue experimental educational programs at eight schools. The action during a special meeting in August grants the district waivers from certain state regulations related to two separate standards, according to a [report from Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/kbe-approves-school-of-innovation-designations-for-covington-independent-grants-waiver-requests-related-to-two-regulations-during-special-meeting/). Under [KRS 156.161](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=56391), school districts may request innovation designations through regulatory waivers to provide customized learning opportunities. Covington Independent sought the designation for all of its schools and educational programs through seven separate waiver requests, positioning the district to participate in a pilot project established by lawmakers earlier in 2026. The [School of Innovation initiative](https://www.education.ky.gov/school/innov/Pages/Districts-of-Innovation.aspx) allows the Kentucky Board of Education to waive regulations in favor of customization, flexibility, and non-traditional learning models. Officials said the goal is to redesign student learning to engage students and increase the numbers of those who are college- and career-ready. "We have a responsibility as the state board to ensure that the requests before us meet the requirements established in law and provide us with a reasonable basis for determining that the proposed changes will in fact actually advance student outcomes," KBE Chair Lu S. Young said during opening remarks to board members. Covington Independent, which serves about 4,000 students in Northern Kentucky, previously sought innovation status for Holmes Middle School in 2025 but that application was denied. The district, under Superintendent Cortnei D. Flucas, announced plans to gather input from parents, students, and teachers before implementing any significant changes under the new innovation designation. Districts interested in pursuing waiver requests are directed to seek information on the process through the [Kentucky Department of Education's Kentucky Laws and Regulations page](https://www.education.ky.gov/districts/legal/Pages/Kentucky-Revised-Statutes.aspx). ## Sources - [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/kbe-approves-school-of-innovation-designations-for-covington-independent-grants-waiver-requests-related-to-two-regulations-during-special-meeting/) - [KRS 156.161 Waiver of administrative regulations and statutes](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=56391) - [Districts of Innovation - Kentucky Department of Education](https://www.education.ky.gov/school/innov/Pages/Districts-of-Innovation.aspx) - [Kentucky Laws and Regulations - Kentucky Department of Education](https://www.education.ky.gov/districts/legal/Pages/Kentucky-Revised-Statutes.aspx) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Kentucky Teacher, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/08/kbe-approves-school-of-innovation-designations-for-covington-independent-grants-waiver-requests-related-to-two-regulations-during-special-meeting/.