LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Leaders from several organizations gathered Monday to share their position on six education bills making their way through the state legislature. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky Republicans have filed some bills targeting education, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs

  • Many Louisville-based groups have voiced concerns about the effect this would have on the state’s biggest city

  • One bill would eliminate DEI programs in public schools

  • Groups including Jefferson County Public Schools signed a letter to lawmakers expressing concerns

The group, which includes the Louisville Urban League, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), VOCAL-KY and others, opposes six education bills filed by Kentucky Republicans. Two target diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. 

“Diversity, equity and inclusion are not buzzwords or meaningless catchphrases," said Lyndon Pryor, president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League. "They are the building blocks of a prosperous and thriving community." 

Pryor’s organization and others released their statement Monday on these bills as members of A Path Forward for Louisville. This group released a letter following the killing of Breonna Taylor that outlined several changes to improve the city. 

One bill mentioned in this latest letter is Senate Bill 93, which would eliminate DEI programs in K-12 schools. 

“There is no way to eliminate the achievement gap unless we make sure that we specifically provide extra support, extra funding, everything that we need to do to make sure our most marginalized kids have every opportunity to be successful,” said Marty Pollio, JCPS superintendent. 

Pollio opposes the bill, which he said would affect schools in the district such as Grace James Academy and W.E.B DuBois Academy. Both predominantly serve Black students. 

A Path Forward for Louisville’s letter also states opposition to SB 6, HB 9, HB 191, HB 224 and HB 304.

State Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, attended Monday's gathering. Gentry said DEI is "extremely important" and spoke to his experience with the inclusion component of DEI. 

“Don’t forget people with disabilities,” Gentry said. “We have gained a tremendous amount of funding that didn’t used to be there because corporate America is embracing DEI initiatives.”

Gentry lost his arm in a drill rig accident and soon after found his love for the sport of adaptive golf. He would later co-found the North American One-Armed Golfer Association.

Organizations like his own have benefited thanks to DEI, he said, which has helped more people like him. He added he hopes more people who oppose this DEI legislation will make their voices heard. 

So far, only Senate Bill 6, which would eliminate DEI on college campuses, has passed through at least one chamber. 

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