HEBRON, Ky. — Election Day is a little more than a month away, and one of the most significant issues on the ballot for Kentuckians is Amendment 2, which would allow public money to go to private schools. 

What You Need To Know

  • Amendment 2 asks Kentucky voters if they support allowing state money to fund private education

  • Those on both sides of the debate are working to make their cases across the commonwealth 

  • Some neighboring states such as Indiana and Ohio have implemented school choice

  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5 

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, D-Ky., held a news conference Oct. 3 in northern Kentucky to discuss the potential negative impacts of Amendment 2 should it pass. 

"A vote for Amendment 2 is a vote to give a blank check to the General Assembly, the same General Assembly that has repeatedly failed to fulfill its constitutional duty," she said.

In her speech, Coleman said the amendment would not only reduce funding for public schools but also jeopardize job opportunities for essential school staff.

"When it comes to the people who serve our kids every day, I believe that they deserve more and not less," she said. "There is no question that our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, classroom assistants, custodians and teachers would lose their jobs." 

The amendment would enable laws to provide state funding for non-public education. In contrast, State Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, argued this amendment is about giving parents more choice rather than taking away resources.

"We're still required to fund those public schools," Thayer said. "This amendment would just give future legislatures the option of enacting programs like a scholarship tax credit program, which would allow low-income working families to send their child to a parochial or private school." 

Thayer also referenced neighboring states like Ohio and Indiana, who he said have implemented school choice, noting improvements in teacher pay and test scores.

"If this amendment passes, it just gives parents more options and puts kids first," Thayer said. 

However, longtime educators and parents countered Amendment 2 cannot guarantee true parental choice, as students must be accepted into private institutions. They also worried it would divert funding from already struggling public schools.

"If you take what little bit of funds are dedicated to our public education system right now, you are going to continue and exacerbate the education deserts that you have already created in our state," said parent Amber Hoffmann.

If voters approve Amendment 2, state lawmakers will have the ability to change Kentucky’s constitution in the 2025 legislative session, possibly paving the way for charter schools and private school vouchers.

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