Bowling Green Residents Rally Against Amendment Two

Bowling Green Residents Rally Against Amendment Two

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – On a sunny Monday at the Lisa Rice Library, superintendents from several area school districts came together to publicly oppose Amendment Two, a proposed change to the Kentucky constitution that could allow taxpayer money to be used for private school tuition. The superintendents from Bowling Green Independent Schools, Russellville Independent Schools, Owensboro Public Schools, and Simpson County Schools united in their concerns about how such an amendment would impact public education funding.

Understanding Amendment Two

The language of Amendment Two states, “The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.” This wording raised alarms among educators who fear it could reshape the landscape of educational funding in Kentucky.

Concerns Over Funding Loss

The superintendents voiced serious worries about what the amendment could mean for their local schools. Gary Fields, superintendent of Bowling Green Independent Schools (BGISD), expressed the gravity of the situation by stating that diverting funds from public schools to private institutions would have “devastating” consequences. According to Fields, implementing a program similar to one in Florida could cost Kentucky almost $1.19 billion annually. This amount of money could fund the salaries of nearly 9,869 public school teachers and employees in the state.

For BGISD alone, this could translate into a loss of nearly $9.5 million, which is equivalent to the funding of 74 educator positions. With Bowling Green being a rapidly growing school district, the impact could be even greater. For instance, a budget reduction of just 14 percent could mean a loss close to $27 million, translating to around 251 educator jobs.

Local Impacts on Nearby Schools

Superintendent Kyle Estes from Russellville Independent Schools highlighted the impacts on his district, predicting a loss of 21 educator positions. In nearby Logan County, the loss could be even higher, with 67 educators at risk. Estes pointed out that funding could be misallocated, stating that 53 percent of Kentucky’s private schools are concentrated in only three counties: Jefferson, Fayette, and Boone.

A Broader Picture

Estes also brought attention to the fact that 63 counties in Kentucky currently do not have any K-12 private schools. He pointed out that this would mean taxpayer dollars might leave their local districts, funding schools that don’t serve their families. “Public schools, we educate them all,” Estes emphasized. “Are we perfect? No. Public schools nor private schools are perfect, but we educate every student that comes through our door, and we do it to the best of our ability.”

Community Engagement and Future Actions

All superintendents present stressed that they gathered not just as educators but as community members, advocating for the protection of public school funding. The discussion was fueled by the need for public awareness ahead of the upcoming vote on Amendment Two in November. They urged voters to reflect on the long-term implications for public education and to consider the potential damages it could impose on their schools and communities.

As Bowling Green prepares for the November election, the sentiments expressed by these educational leaders serve as a rallying call for many who fear that Amendment Two could drastically alter the future of public education in Kentucky.