With voting in this year’s general election beginning in just a few weeks, we are all hearing and seeing more and more about the proposed constitutional amendments, particularly ballot amendment 2. Unlike most of the legislation we pass into law, ballot amendment 2 would not adopt a specific policy. It would strike language from the state’s constitution and give the legislature more options for providing for a child’s education. That means any specific policies must still go through the legislative process.
Education is a major priority for the legislature. We see its impact on our overall quality of life, and specifically on jobs, health, the economy, and crime. Because of this, we provide record funding, focus policies on improving reading and math, and work to ensure students are taught skills that will benefit them long after they graduate. We have also passed policies to address the teacher shortage, empower parents to participate in their child’s education, and make our schools safer and stronger. However, we continue to hear from parents and guardians that their child’s needs are not met by school systems that seem designed with a one-size-fits all approach to meet the needs of their size.
I am going to continue supporting public education regardless of how this vote goes, and I believe the same is true for my colleagues in the House and Senate. And, as controversial as this amendment may be, I think that our children will benefit from the conversations we are having – as long as we respect that we all want Kentucky children to succeed, even if some folks differ on the best way to get there.
The proposed ballot language reads:
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?
It is proposed that a new section be added to the Constitution of Kentucky to read as follows:
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.
Here are the answers to a few questions that keep popping up as a result of information shared by folks for and against the amendment.
Do we want to cut education funding? No. In fact, the legislature has provided a record amount of funding for kindergarten through 12th grade education. According to data provided by the Department of Education, overall funding has more than doubled since 1990, even after adjusting for inflation. We do have an obligation to make sure the money is being spent in ways that benefit our students and their educational attainment.
How much money do public schools receive from the state? The state funds many programs through our public schools, but the Seeking Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) fund is based on a per pupil calculation. This school year (which aligns with our fiscal year), Kentucky’s public schools receive an average of $4,326, a 3% increase over last year. Next year, per pupil funding will increase 6% to $4,586. This includes funding for full day kindergarten, which the legislature did not provide until 2022. When combined with local and federal funding, Kentucky schools spend an estimated statewide average of more than $17,500 per child (please note, this is an average, so each district’s actual figure will be different).
Are school districts part of state government? No. School districts are not state agencies, they are locally led and their priorities locally determined. On a state level, the legislature makes education policy through law, the Kentucky Board of Education develops regulations based on those laws, and the Kentucky Department of Education provides resources and guidance to public schools as they implement K-12 requirements.
What do other states do? Almost all states offer some form of educational choice, including every single one of Kentucky’s neighboring states.
I hope this update has been helpful as you decide how you will vote. I appreciate your interest in the issue. After all, if education is to be the great equalizer, it must remain a priority for all of us.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at Amy.Neighbors@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(Laura Leigh Goins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Media Relations – House Majority Leadership)