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The latest on Amendment 2

Amendment 2, if passed, would give Kentucky’s legislature broad new authority to direct public tax dollars to private/nonpublic schools. #VoteNoOn2

With less than six weeks until Election Day, the campaigns for and against Amendment 2 have kicked into high gear. Debate over the potential use of public tax dollars for private schools is waging through mailers, yard signs, op-eds and increased media coverage. Despite the increased attention, many Kentuckians remain unaware of the amendment and its potential impact on public schools, at the same time, a spike in misinformation further muddies the water. 

As locally elected school board members, and as some of your districts’ most visible and vocal advocates, please continue to get the word out in your communities.

This week’s Amendment 2 update includes additional advocacy resources, fact checks, a news roundup and more. Stay tuned to KSBA publications, social media and our helpful Amendment 2 resources page. Reach out to KSBA at amendment2@ksba.org with questions, and let us know how your association can support you in your local advocacy efforts.

Amendment 2 creates dangerous exceptions in Kentucky's constitution

While some Kentuckians may know what Amendment 2 proposes to do, they may not fully understand how the amendment does it.

To allow public tax dollars to pay for private education, Amendment 2 proposes to create exceptions for seven sections of Kentucky’s constitution. The image below provides a summary of the sections for which Amendment 2 creates exceptions, allowing lawmakers to ignore them when considering education funding legislation.

KSBA members and other public education advocates are encouraged to share this information with their communities: post/share on social media, print out and provide to others, discuss at school board meetings, or explain it to your family, friends and neighbors.

Fact checking false claims about Amendment 2

The claim: Some supporters of Amendment 2 argue that Kentucky is the only state that does not offer voucher-style “school choice” programs that would be legal if Amendment 2 passes.

The facts: While Kentucky is unique in that its constitution currently prohibits public tax dollars from being directed to unaccountable private/nonpublic education providers, many states have chosen not to adopt such voucher-style programs, even though it would not require a constitutional amendment for them to do so.

The infographic above shows that a majority of states have not adopted vouchers and other voucher-style programs, such as Education Savings Accounts and Scholarship Tax Credits – the most common “school choice” programs. Such programs would become legal if Amendment 2 passes in November.

Did you know that Kentucky is only one of three states that allows students to enroll in public school districts outside of those in which they reside? Kentuckians have more public school options than ever.

'Where can I get a 'vote no' yard sign?'

KSBA has received many questions from members and other public education advocates on how to acquire a “Vote No on Amendment 2” yard sign. KSBA recommends a few options:

• Protect Our Schools KY – the statewide coalition opposed to Amendment 2 – has released a list of “Vote No on Amendment 2” yard sign pickup dates and locations in several cities across Kentucky. These signs are free while supplies last. We have heard of short supply in some areas, so act fast!
• You can also purchase a double-sided “No on Amendment 2” yard sign from KSBA’s online advocacy shop. This online shop also offers a variety of other "vote no" items, from t-shirts and buttons to car magnets and stickers. Note: KSBA makes no profit from the sale of items and only serves as coordinator of the CafePress online storefront. 
• If you prefer, you can download a yard sign graphic and take it to your local printer to produce yard signs.

Don't forget to snap a photo of your "vote no" gear and post to social media. Tag @KSBAnews on X (formerly Twitter) and @KSBA on Facebook and use the hashtag #VoteNoOn2.

4 things you can do RIGHT NOW to advocate against Amendment 2

There are countless ways you can help raise awareness of Amendment 2 and advocate against its passage. Here are four simple things you can do that RIGHT NOW.

• Inquire with your board chair and/or central office about getting Amendment 2 on the agenda of your October school board meeting. Whether you have already discussed it or not, your October regular meeting is prime time (and possibly the last time) to raise the issue in that setting. And then do everything you can to get your community to attend the meeting: advertising, contacting local media, social media, word of our mouth, etc.
• Go to KSBA’s Facebook and/or Twitter pages and share/like/comment on our recent Amendment 2 posts on your personal social media pages. The more you share, the more Kentuckians will see this information.
• Use some of the resources provided in today's update and challenge yourself to share information on Amendment 2 with at least five people this weekend.
• Visit KSBA’s Amendment 2 resources page regularly for our latest materials. 

Statewide coalition releases new ad urging Kentuckians to "vote no" on Amendment 2

Protect Our Schools KY, the coalition leading the statewide campaign against Amendment 2, released a new TV ad this week. View the ad here.

Protect Our Schools KY has been endorsed by more than 100 organizations statewide, including key education and workforce organizations. In addition to KSBA, endorsing education groups include the associations representing superintendents, school administrators, current and retired teachers, school-based decision making councils, school social workers, school support professionals, school public relations professionals, parent-teacher organizations and students, among others. 

Share KSBA's Amendment 2 information sheet with your community

KSBA has crafted a helpful information sheet that school board members and other district leaders can share with their communities. This resource can be distributed freely, as it provides basic facts about the amendment and does not advocate for voting one way or another. 

View/download KSBA’s Amendment 2 information sheet.

As the Kentucky Attorney General's office recently confirmed, school board members and district personnel can provide information to their communities about Amendment 2 as long as they do not advocate for voting for or against the amendment. Acceptable forms of information to share (all of which are included in KSBA’s information sheet) include the amendment language as it appears on the ballot, an explanation of what the amendment does, a summary of the sections of the constitution it strikes and related legal/legislative decisions.

Kentucky School Boards Association | (800) 372-2962 | ksba.org