BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Warren County Public Schools and the Bowling Green Independent School District held their “State of the Districts” update this week.

What You Need To Know

  • Leaders from Warren County Public Schools and the Bowling Green Independent School District held their "State of the Districts" update 

  • Warren County Public Schools is Kentucky's fourth-largest district; more than 18,000 students are enrolled 

  • The Bowling Green Independent School District has more than 4,700 enrolled from pre-school through 12th grade

  • Some leaders discussed their concerns with Amendment 2, which will be on Kentucky's ballot on Election Day, Nov. 5 

Warren County Public Schools is the fourth-largest school district in the commonwealth and is the region's third-largest employer, with 3,000 employees. More than 18,000 students are enrolled, including pre-schoolers.

“Serving as of today, 731 preschoolers, we have moved from two days of preschool for all of our students to four days," said Sarah Johnson, assistant superintendent of Warren County Public Schools. 

The Bowling Green Independent School District has more than 4,700 enrolled from preschool through 12th grade.

Both districts have international students. There are more than 100 languages spoken at Warren County and more than 50 at Bowling Green.

“Our kids show up to school every day; they’re learning amazing things, they’re going to be amazing leaders in our community in the future," said Gary Fields, Bowling Green Independent Schools superintendent. 

During the Oct. 15 “State of the Districts” update at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, educators discussed the impact of Amendment 2. If approved by voters, Kentucky's constitution would be amended to allow lawmakers to spend tax dollars for education outside the public school system.

“In Bowling Green and Warren County, we have great partnerships; we have great school districts, we have great private schools, we have a great business community that supports school systems," Fields said. "We’re the fastest-growing part of Kentucky, and if we want to continue that, then the way to do that is to not have a voucher system that’s going to take money out of the state budget.”

Some parents said they agree and plan to vote "no" on Amendment 2. 

“It’s not been successful in other states," said Gary Chaffin, Warren County parent. "Florida has been a disaster. We actually have some people coming from other states to see how we do things here.”

State Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, said he supports the measure and believes it could help expand options for students. 

“It’s an amendment that is to help improve and increase choices that parents have in the education of the commonwealth of Kentucky," Douglas said. "Amendment 2 is a paper that is meant to help parents, students and even teachers feel more comfortable in their choices in the education system.”

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early in-person voting starts Oct. 31 in Kentucky.

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