FRANKFORT Kentuckys school dropout rate has declined in recent years but not enough to suit House Speaker Jody Richards.Over time, it has decreased some, but it leveled off so were not at the level we want to be, he said.Calling the current rate is unacceptable, Richards on Thursday prefiled a bill designed to cut the states dropout rate in half by 2006. The bill also proposes keeping schools dropout rates under 5 percent and requires each county to lower by 30 percent the number of people ages 16 to 24 who dont have their diploma or GED. Dropout rates released by the state Department of Education in August showed a slight increase from 5.31 percent in 1996-97 to 5.34 percent in 1997-98 though the percentage remains lower than the 1995-96 rate of 5.53 percent.Schools in Region Two, which includes Warren, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Allen and Simpson counties, saw a slight decrease in their rates, going from 4.9 percent in 1995-96 to 4.63 percent in 1997-98. Warren Central and Logan County high schools were among those with the greatest declines more than 3.5 percent.But Richards is unhappy with the rates fluctuation and said he hopes his bill will guide the rates on a continuous downward slope. His bill would require the education department to establish and implement a comprehensive statewide system of prevention, intervention and professional development programs based on successful existing programs. With financial help from the General Assembly, the department would concentrate its efforts on elementary and middle school pupils because thats where teachers can tell you who are the potential dropouts, Richards said. Though he didnt have a dollar figure, Richards said elementary and middle schools would get 75 percent of the state funding and high schools would get 25 percent. None of the money would come from other programs. If the bill passes, it would take effect next fall, Richards said. Dishman-McGinnis Elementary School Principal Bruce Slate said he didnt know the details of Richards bill.But said he and other principals would welcome any legislation that would curtail the dropout rate.