LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is putting all public school districts on notice, saying their tax dollars cannot be used for political advocacy.
This comes as Pulaski County Schools in Somerset, Kentucky, two hours southeast of Louisville, has taken down a heavily scrutinized social media post reading, "No on Amendment 2."
It didn't take long for Coleman to put out a statement, saying the district broke state law that states tax dollars can't be used to advocate for or against public questions on a ballot.
WHAS11 asked Gov. Andy Beshear about the posts at the Kentucky State Fair on Thursday.
"Let's put this all in context, this was a Facebook post. This wasn't spending thousands of dollars on a mailer. This was a district expressing its opinion on a Facebook post," Beshear said. "The bottom line is the message that was put out, even if it might not have been put out in the right way, is correct. Districts like Pulaski County will be defunded through Amendment 2."
If passed, the amendment creates an avenue for public money to go toward private schools.
Some argue this'll give parents more choices to give their child the best education. Others say it'll risk cuts to public school funding.
"You don't use government taxpayer dollars for political campaigns," Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers told WHAS11, saying he agrees with the attorney general.
Stivers then turned his attention to Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) as being one of the reasons behind the amendment.
"Me and my colleagues wish that JCPS would be ultimately the most successful system it could be, but it's not been. And we've tried to change that, and that's the impetus behind constitutional amendment 2," Stivers said.
University of Louisville constitutional law professor Sam Marcosson believes there's a way school districts across Kentucky could educate their communities about the amendment, without crossing a line.
"If they simply put out information, here's what the amendment would do, here's the effect it would have on our budget... I think they could do that," Marcosson said.
Voters will see the amendment on their ballots in November. It asks if you're in favor of allowing state lawmakers to provide funding for students outside public school systems -- meaning private and charter schools.
Where do public schools around Louisville stand on Amendment 2?
Jefferson County Public Schools
"We oppose any effort to take public funds and resources away from public schools which educate all children regardless of their background, family income or special needs. We believe Constitutional Amendment #2 is one of these efforts," a spokesperson told WHAS11.
Bullitt County Public Schools
"We are highly concerned about any attempt to change over 200 years of public policy that would take public funds and funnel them to unaccountable private schools. We believe this is what Amendment 2 would do and we are working with our Board Attorney to determine the best way to educate our community about the impact this will have on their public schools," Superintendent Jesse Bacon said.
Hardin County Schools
"HCS wants individuals to be aware this is going to be on the ballot. We encourage voters to educate themselves about this possible change to the Kentucky Constitution and its impact," a spokesperson said.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.