LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lawmakers return to the Capitol this week, poised for a fight on education.
The Jefferson County Teacher’s Association is planning a caravan to rally lawmakers not to override Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of the school choice bill.
“We hope people will be able to come down and stand up for kids and public education,” JCTA President Brent McKim said.
The legislation, barely passed in the legislature, allows students to transfer from one district to another and creates organizations that would provide some funding for students to attend private schools.
“It also diverts money that is badly needed by our public schools away and toward private schools that really is not an appropriate use of tax dollars,” he said.
The bill also creates $25 million in tax breaks to send kids to private schools. JCTA said that has teachers concerned.
"When textbooks are completely eliminated in terms of funding in the state budget, they can’t understand how the state has $25 million dollars in tax breaks to send kids to private school," he said.
On the opposing side, rallying for the override is supporters of the bill like EdChoice Kentucky, an organization supporting expanded educational opportunities.
“We need school choice to do what we firmly believe is best for our children and their education. We're counting on you to override the Governor's veto on House Bill 563 and do what's right for Kentucky students and families across our state," Jason Crigler of Louisville said.
Supporters of the bill say it will help lower-income families have more options for schooling. However, JCTA said there's also concern about the education service providers under the plan.
"The state could not require a criminal background check for the employees working directly with students and that puts students at risk," McKim said.
JCTA plans to caravan around the capitol starting at 10 a.m.
In the past, Kentucky educators and other supporters have had a large number of supporters for or against education bills.
With COVID preventing being inside the capitol, JCTA said Monday’s plan is a safe way to still make their voices heard.