KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — This week, Kentucky’s Department of Education (KDE) affirmed its position that public tax money should be used in public schools. The resolution comes as the debate is heating up around an amendment addressing that very topic.
“If we say nothing, then we’re not doing our jobs,” KDE Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said at Monday’s meeting.
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In a unanimous vote, the Kentucky Board of Education approved a resolution saying the board supports using state dollars to exclusively fund the common system of schools. While nowhere in the resolution is the upcoming Amendment 2 referenced, Commissioner Fletcher said during the meeting he believes there are too many unanswered questions and approving it would remove guardrails.
“Unfortunately, this amendment opens the gates. There’s questions about accountability that are not answered. I think it’s our role as a board to make sure that all schools are accountable,” Fletcher said.
“Where is the accountability for a public system that is spending twice as much as most non-public schools spend and getting far worse results than we see in the private sector?” Bluegrass Institute President Jim Waters told FOX 56 in response on Thursday.
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Waters said he has a fundamental difference in philosophy over the role the system itself should play. He said that public money should support students regardless of where they go to school, and believed the amendment is an opportunity for expansion. He echoed concerns also shared by Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne (R-Prospect).
He released a statement to FOX 56 that reads in part:
“While we are open to discussions about additional funding, parents and policymakers alike would appreciate accountability for the money already allocated. Frankly, we expect better results than we see in the most recent School Report Card and urge the board of education to focus on how they can better use the billions in funding they already receive to realize better results.”
Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne
KBE Chair Sharon Porter Robinson said there was no intent to influence the outcome of Amendment 2 with the resolution.
Kentucky general election: View 2024 sample ballots by county “The board does not seek to instruct Kentuckians on how to vote. We believe they are capable of making an informed decision. Rather, this resolution reflects the board’s unwavering support for our common school system as a priority,” she said.
Election Day is Nov. 5.
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