As a candidate for Owensboro School Board, I’m frequently asked about Amendment 2. Let me be clear: vote NO on Amendment 2.
Amendment 2 is a step toward a voucher system that would radically change public education in Kentucky. How would it affect Daviess County? Let’s score who wins and who loses.
LOSERS: Our children/public school students. A voucher system would pull millions from the two local school systems that educate our children. For some, school is their only shot at a good life.
LOSERS: OPS and DCPS. In response to lost revenue, local school boards raise property taxes, cut extracurriculars, and lay off teachers.
LOSERS: Daviess County. In addition to higher unemployment and lower morale, Daviess County loses most of the reapportioned millions to Jefferson, Fayette, and Kenton counties where the populations and schools are.
LOSERS: Kentucky education advocates. This system would immediately undo 35 years of progress in improving Kentucky education statewide, especially in rural communities.
WINNERS: Private school administrators. Private schools will pad their budgets with voucher revenue with no accountability or expectations for student outcomes.
LOSERS: Private school families. Because private schools know what parents will pay out-of-pocket, they will boost tuition by the voucher’s amount. Families pay the same and poor children remain priced out.
LOSERS: Kentucky taxpayers. Tuition inflation explodes Kentucky’s deficit requiring both budget cuts and tax hikes. Deficits grow in subsequent years, sucking up more money.
With Amendment 2, almost everyone loses. Vote NO ON 2.
Written by
Tyler Sagardoy
