FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians at the polls in November will vote for the next U.S. president, state and local legislatures, and they will decide on a statewide school choice measure.
Amendment 2 is a constitutional amendment which would allocate taxpayer dollars that would be going to public schools into private or charters schools.
What is Amendment 2?
The constitutional amendment says:
"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?"
A "yes" vote would change the constitution to allow for public funds to go towards private schools, while a "no" vote would keep that money for public schools.
If voters change the state constitution, the money would not flow immediately. Lawmakers would then have to craft the rules.
Kentucky Registry of Election Finance reports shows the two main coalitions in the state are raising millions for the issue.
Protect Our Schools KY, the coalition against Amendment 2, reported raising $3,054,930.00 since May.
Kentucky Students First raised just about half of that amount. The coalition for the school choice measure raised $1,533,445.00.
