Educators (Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher) Express Opinions on Impacts of Passing Constitutional Amendment 2

Kentucky educators, including Jackson County Superintendent Renee Smith, JCHS Principal Brian Harris, and McKee Elementary teacher Jared Ward, maintain that a proposed constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to divert public funding to private schools would be harmful to our public school system." Representative Timmy Truett (who is also the Principal of McKee Elementary) reported, "If it passes, I honestly don't think I will lose one student, but with the per pupil funding being smaller I do fear that I might lose staffing or resources. This would create more challenges to an already challenging situation. Is it worth it?"
90% of Kentucky's children attend public schools, and defunding them would be a move in the wrong direction. The Kentucky Education Association and the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy are on the record saying that passing Amendment 2 would be devastating to public schools, especially those in rural areas such as Jackson County.
 The ballot question asks voters to amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to "provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools." Proponents of the amendment say it would give families more choice in their children's education and would open up more educational opportunities. But critics say it would rob public schools of sorely-needed funds, causing them to suffer consequences, including staffing problems and program cuts, while primarily helping wealthier families who already send their children to private schools. Rural areas like Jackson County have minimal choices for private school options. There are no certified private schools in Jackson County. The nearest accredited private schools are in Clay County and Laurel County. If voters approve Amendment 2, it is expected that public school class sizes will increase, staff will receive fewer raises and school systems will face challenges filling critical positions and maintaining necessary resources.
There is concern that those who support the amendment are spreading misinformation. For people who have not made up their minds about how to vote, "Go talk to a public school educator. They'll tell you the truth. They know what's going to happen."
Below are letters to the editor from JCPS Superintendent Renee Smith, JCHS Principal Brian Harris, and McKee Elementary teacher Jared Ward.

Jackson County Public School District Superintendent Renee Smith

To the Editor,

I am the superintendent of Jackson County Public Schools, but I am writing this letter as a citizen and supporter of public education. I urge my fellow citizens to vote "NO" on Amendment 2 in the upcoming election. This amendment, if passed, would remove a crucial clause from our state constitution that guarantees the right to a quality public education. By supporting Amendment 2, we risk weakening this essential protection, which could have serious long-term consequences for our schools and students.

Our public education system is the foundation of our community, offering all children, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, an opportunity to succeed. However, this amendment would undermine that system by limiting the resources and support available to schools, especially those in rural areas like Jackson County, where every dollar and every decision matters.

Instead of diminishing our commitment to public education, we must protect and strengthen it. Our teachers, students, and families deserve the best possible education, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that the state continues to uphold that right for future generations.

I urge my fellow voters to consider the long-term impact of this amendment and vote NO. Let’s protect public education and the future of our children.

Sincerely,
Renee Smith

Jackson County High School Principal Brian Harris

To the Editor,

Across KY it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find teachers and classified staff. When I first stepped into my role as Assistant Principal we would have stacks of applicants for most positions.  This is no longer the case and many times we maybe forced to use substitutes to cover classes for extended periods of time. 

We are very fortunate at JCHS to have an exceptional staff.  I am very fearful that this amendment would force even more people out of education.  It will also cause people thinking about this career to choose another path. 

Private schools will also not be required to follow 504 plans, IEP’s, etc.  It will be any many cases a pick and choose system where students with disabilities may get denied admission and receive fewer and fewer services.  

Most rural communities don’t have private options. 90 percent of students in KY attend public schools.  Do the research and look at what a disaster similar systems have been in Indiana and Ohio.  

I truly believe that public educators are some of the best people on Earth. They work long hours and care deeply for their students.  Please don’t make their jobs more difficult by limiting resources and funding.  Vote NO on Amendment 2.

Brian Harris, JCHS Principal

McKee Elementary Teacher Jared Ward

Dear Editor, 

Usually I stay silent on political issues on here.  I’ve figured out over the years that it usually just causes me problems and people either condemn me to eternal damnation or silently unfriend me, all the while realizing that I made absolutely no difference in what they thought.  However, I feel like it’s worth breaking my silence in the case of one of the most shamefully misleading media campaigns I have seen in my entire life to get people to vote yes on Amendment 2 to the Kentucky state constitution.  Number one, I’m always extremely skeptical of any amendment, no matter if it’s a conservative or liberal agenda that motivates it.  Our Constitution should stay difficult to amend. 

What really bothers me about this particular amendment campaign is the outright refusal of those promoting to actually tell the voters what it is.  Amendment 2, plain and simple, allows tax money that supports our public schools that serve at least 90 percent of Kentucky students to be diverted to private institutions.  So why am I getting bombarded with constant commercials, insultingly stupid mail, and Rand Paul and his wife lying to me on YouTube ads about the following-  they claim amendment 2 leads to student success.  For who exactly?  How will diverting money from the public schools help the vast majority of our students, especially those in impoverished areas?  They say voting yes on amendment 2 supports raises for our public school teachers.  Oh please, that one is beyond ludicrous.  And finally that amendment 2 will give your third grader on the job training?  I’ve never seen the actual purpose of an amendment be so heavily obfuscated and deliberately advertised in such a misleading way.

So why lie?  Because the special interest groups that have found their way into the pocketbooks of prominent conservatives have spent millions on research and understand just how utterly damning that telling people what this really is would be. They hope that people will blindly follow what their ads say.  They hope that if that doesn’t work that you’ll believe them when they try their level best election cycle after election cycle to tell you that I’m making your kids gay and teaching critical race theory during recess just for kicks while giving them a litter box to use and cross dressing while standing on my head.  It’s all ridiculous and it’s meant to do exactly one thing: discredit public education, and weaken it until it can be privatized for profit.  “But Jared, what about Jefferson County Public Schools!?  They’re awful!” That’s up to Jefferson County to fix.  Their citizens are obligated to do better for their kids.  My school IS doing better for my kids, and I refuse to accept penalizing them to bail out Louisville.  Vote NO on amendment 2.

Jared Ward, McKee Elementary