Bowling Green Hosts Discussion on Amendment 2
Bowling Green, KY – On Tuesday night, a gathering took place at the Hilton Garden Inn where the Warren County Conservatives held an event focused on Amendment 2. This proposed amendment has generated quite a bit of attention across the state, and many prominent figures came to share their thoughts on it.
Kelley Paul, the wife of U.S. Senator Rand Paul, was a speaker at the meeting. She spoke passionately about the amendment and shared that two of her three children are students at Bowling Green High School. She went on to praise the educators at the school, expressing gratitude for their hard work. “My support of Amendment 2 is in no way a criticism of public education itself or our teachers and administrators,” Kelley stated, emphasizing the high quality of education in Kentucky. “We have a lot of good ones in Kentucky, and I don’t want to change that.”
Understanding Amendment 2
If passed in the upcoming election, Amendment 2 would give the Kentucky General Assembly the power to “provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools,” according to information from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website. Currently, state funds cannot be used for any non-public schools, but this amendment aims to change that. Supporters argue that it would create new options for families, while critics fear it could divert essential funding away from public schools.
During her speech, Kelley Paul highlighted how the amendment would allow elected officials to explore alternative solutions for families dissatisfied with the current public education system. “Amendment 2 gives we, the people, a voice in the democratic process and will allow our elected representatives to actually do their jobs and enact solutions,” she mentioned to the attentive crowd.
Support from Former Lieutenant Governor
Joining Kelley Paul at the event was former Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jenean Hampton. Hampton served from 2015 to 2019 and has a wealth of experience regarding the state’s education system. She noted that during her time in office, she visited over 200 schools and advocated for improved educational options. “Let’s free Kentucky legislators and teachers and parents to come up with programs or alternate paths on which every student can thrive and that will serve Kentucky,” Hampton encouraged.
Hampton also highlighted the importance of reading and math proficiency for students, calling it an “absolutely fundamental skill.” She expressed concern over the current state of education in Kentucky, stating, “We know that nothing is free – we know this. However, there is a cost to Kentucky, to the kids, to the parents, to the teachers of continually graduating kids who can’t read at the proficiency levels that they should.”
The Upcoming Election
As the November election approaches, the conversation surrounding Amendment 2 is expected to intensify. Many are eager to see how this amendment might reshape the educational landscape in Kentucky. On Monday evening, four school superintendents spoke as private citizens, discussing the potential consequences of the amendment on public education funding.
This discussion at the Warren County Conservatives meeting highlighted both support and concern surrounding the proposed amendment. As voters prepare to make their decisions, the implications of Amendment 2 will remain a hot topic in conversations about education in Kentucky.
With cloudy skies and a 90% chance of rain predicted for the area, it seems the weather will match the charged atmosphere of the discussions around Amendment 2. Rainfall is expected to reach near a quarter of an inch, so those attending future meetings should prepare for the weather as they engage in conversations that could have a lasting impact on education in the state.
