LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Here's the question a majority of Kentucky's Republicans pushed for in the state legislature: "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?"
That's what will appear on Kentucky ballots this November. It's the major barrier blocking taxpayer dollars going to private or charter schools after a judge halted the flow of cash citing the state's constitution.
A 'yes' vote will let the state use tax dollars for private or charter schools. A 'no' vote keeps the money within the public school system exclusively.
"While we have seen our fair share of challenges in JCPS, a voucher scheme that does not serve all kids is not a solution," Maddie Shepard, the Jefferson County Teacher's Association union president said.
Jim Waters, president of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, believes publicly-funded vouchers for private schools will give families more options when deciding where their kids will go.
"We have a demand here for a better education system. The problem is, we need to focus on how to supply that," he said.
He points to JCPS falling short of state benchmarks in reading and math as a reason people need the choice, and that private school would be out-of-reach for low income families without vouchers.
"The voucher amendment, as we call it, paves the way for our state to begin writing blank checks to private schools using public tax dollars," Dr. Corrie Shull, the JCPS board chair, said.
He and Shepard disagree with waters and joined the Protect Our Schools KY campaign, which has held events across the state urging voters to reject the amendment.
"If Amendment 2, the voucher amendment, passes, money will be taken away from public schools and given away to unaccountable private schools," the union president said.
Autumn Neagle, president-elect of the statewide PTA, joins them in asking for 'no' votes on constitutional amendment two, saying private schools leave citizens without a voice.
"I at least had people that I could talk to and advocate for. If you don't have a school board, you can't advocate for that," she said.
She worries students like her daughter, who needs extra help with reading, may not have resources if public school funds go toward private or charter schools.
However, Waters says Charters could actually provide that sort of specialized instruction.
"And so that charter will indicate what kind of school this is going to be and how it will perform in exchange for freedom from some of the rules and regulations that we believe hold great teachers back," Waters said.
Ultimately, it's the voters who will decide that future in Kentucky.
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