ERLANGER, Ky. — A Northern Kentucky institute is giving some students a non-traditional high school education. Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., stopped by to tour the school to support his “Education First” plan. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Ignite Institute received a $4.7 million grant to expand its campus, allowing for more students

  • Gov. Andy Beshear visited the Boone County school to promote his "Education First" plan

  • The plan includes teacher raises and a student loan forgiveness program for teachers

  • Lawmakers have until April 15 to pass the state budget 

Ignite Institute recently received a $4.7 grant to expand its campus, allowing for more students. 

Jack Gatlin, a third-year engineering student, has been an ambassador at the school since his freshman year. He was selected to tour Beshear. 

“I think right now, we’re a smaller school,” Gatlin said. “But if we get the student population up, it’ll help lift us up.”

Beshear’s “Education First” plan includes teacher raises and a student loan forgiveness program for teachers.

“Ignite shows you we can innovate within our own public school system, that if we give our schools the flexibility, they can get every result, they can meet every new challenge,” Beshear said. “The last thing we should ever do is take public school dollars out of the system.”

“When we invest in public education, like [when] we invested $4.7 million in this facility, you end up with the best of the best.” 

Gatlin said Ignite is one of the best examples of what Kentucky education offers.

“Everyone here wants to do something great,” he said. 

The institute opened in 2019. Students follow a project-based learning method in several career areas to help them prepare for their career.

Lawmakers have until April 15 to pass the state budget.

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