The Owensboro and Daviess County school boards of education unanimously expressed opposition to Kentucky’s proposed Amendment 2 during a joint meeting held Thursday night at the Owensboro Public Schools’ Central Office.
Board members from both districts expressed concern over the potential impacts on public education funding and services.
Josh Shoulta, Director of Communications for the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA), presented details on the amendment. He stated that it would allow tax dollars to be redirected from public schools to non-public schools. He said it has been a topic of discussion at school boards across the state.
“This is a conversation happening across the state, and it’s important to consider how this could impact our local public schools,” Shoulta said.
Following the presentation, board members voiced their concerns.
James Morgan from DCPS emphasized the inclusive nature of public education. He expressed his unease about how the amendment could affect funding and resources for public schools.
“Our public system is for all children, not for a select few,” Morgan said.
Frank Riney, also from DCPS, said the amendment lacked clarity.
“There’s really no clear path to where we’re headed on this thing. It’s open-ended beyond what I can feel comfortable with,” he said.
Lee Rhoades Doyal, Vice Chair of OPS, agreed with Riney and cited uncertainty surrounding the amendment’s impact.
“It’s difficult to know what the impact of Amendment 2 actually would be on our system of public schools,” Doyal said. “While public schools must serve all students, private schools are not bound by the same requirements, especially regarding special needs students.
OPS’s Ashley Johnson shared a similar statement, adding that she “feared it could lead to unequal educational opportunities.”
“This amendment does not give details on how it will be funded,” Johnson said. “Public schools are mandated to educate all students, while private schools are not.”
The boards encouraged voters to consider the amendment carefully before casting their ballots in November.
The proposed ballot language will read:
“To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?”
If passed, the constitutional amendment will read:
“The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186 and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.”
While the amendment will ask voters if they want to give the legislature the ability to fund non-public schools, such as charter and private schools, it does not address any specific policies or funding mechanisms, such as vouchers.
