In addition to the hotly contested presidential race and other local races, November’s ballot will ask Kentucky voters whether they support changing the state’s constitution as it relates to funding education.
Currently, the constitution states that public money may only be used for public schools. The ballot measure asks Kentuckians to weigh in, asking:
“To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?”
The constitution would be amended to read: “The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools.”
Ultimately, enough yes votes would empower Kentucky lawmakers to craft legislation that could provide funds to help students attend non-public schools or receive other educational services outside of the public school system.
Supporters, including the Archdiocese of Louisville, say the amendment, which will be listed as Amendment 2 on the ballot, is good for Kentucky’s students and urge voters to vote “yes.”
“School choice in various forms exists in almost every single state — this is not a red-state blue-state divide — 48 states and the District of Columbia have some form of school choice. We are in a very small minority,” said Jason Hall, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky.
The conference represents Kentucky’s bishops on matters of public policy. Its staff has been promoting need-based school-choice legislation for more than two decades and supported legislation passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021.
That legislation, which would have created Education Opportunity Accounts for students with demonstrated financial need, was struck down by the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2022. The court ruled that the legislation violated the section of the Kentucky Constitution that prohibits the state from raising money for non-public schools. Amendment 2 on the November ballot attempts to change that section.
The church’s long history of support for school choice is a matter of justice, said Hall.
The church teaches that “parents are the primary educators of their children and the state’s role is to support that,” said Hall. “But they (the state) should do it in a way that empowers parents to make decisions.”
In Catholic social teaching, the principle of subsidiarity asserts that decisions should be made at the most local level, in this case, the parents, he noted. In that sense, the state’s role shouldn’t be to “dominate or usurp their authority, but to assist the family.”
“We have a system now that if you have the financial resources, you have the power (to choose the education that’s best for your child). If your resources are limited, you don’t. Our education policy should make that choice real.”
He also noted that the church’s concern for justice in education extends to public schools.
“We strongly support adequate funding for our public schools,” he said, adding that school choice programs should not take funding from public school systems.
“I went to public schools and did great,” said Hall. “But not every kid does best there. And we want resources for kids who don’t thrive there.”
From an educator’s perspective, Dr. Mary Beth Bowling, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Louisville, said “Finding the best fit for your child can be critical for your child’s development into adulthood.”
“As a parent, when my child is born and I’m seeking out a health provider who best fits my child’s needs, I have a choice. When I look at where I’m going to live and the needs of my child, I have a choice,” she noted. “It’s only when we get to school that parents don’t always have the ability to choose.”
For instance, she said, “If my family is receiving (government) benefits for healthcare or for basic needs, you have some choice. But when it comes to school, you can only go to this cluster or school.
“It doesn’t matter if that’s what’s best for your child,” she added. “I think that can be detrimental to a child. Why do we set a kid up for a lack of development? Are we so concerned about the money that we’re not concerned about what’s best for our children?”
Let the church sell its many properties which are tax exempt. Use those funds to support Catholic elementary education. Leave public education and its administration alone.
As a Catholic and graduate of Holy Spirit grade school and Trinity high school I support Catholic education and contribute regularly to Trinity High School and the Catholic grade schools our grandchildren attend. I respect your editorial in support of voting “yes” on the School Choice amendment but I believe a good argument can be made for voting “no” on the School Choice amendment. I believe a greater good would be to put more resources into our public school system who need to increase teacher salaries, lower class sizes and much more. I will be voting “no” and encourage others to do the same.
I will vote for Amendment 2 because it will improve public schools. It will create competition, which will make public schools more accountable to parents and will push them to improve. It has been shown in other states that school choice improves educational outcomes, including in the public schools. Monopolies stifle innovation and accountability. Our children and families deserve the benefits that competition will bring, whether they remain in public school or choose another option.