We don’t have to scream and shout about Amendment 2. Here’s proof. | Opinion

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a Lexington resident named Shaun Denney. He was writing in response to one of my columns about Amendment 2, and he wondered if there was a way to discuss school choice in Kentucky without the usual division that accompanies politics these days.

We met, talked and thought it might be useful to have an online discussion with each other about our views, in the style of Gail Collins and Bret Stephens at the New York Times.

Here’s our conversation, which was lightly edited for space.

Linda Blackford: Hi Shaun, thanks for reaching out to talk about Amendment 2. As you know, I’m opposed to this amendment because I think it would eventually weaken public schools, especially in 61 percent of counties where there are no private schools as alternatives. But you have a different perspective, right?

Shaun Denney: Thanks, Linda! I appreciate your willingness to engage on the issue. I do have a different perspective. As a private school parent, I support Amendment 2 (and our public schools!). A big misconception is that private school families are wealthy, but that’s just not the case for many people I know. For families like ours, it is a major financial sacrifice. We’ve made a choice we believe is best for our students, but we essentially pay a double tax — paying for public schools and our own children’s education without getting any relief from the state. I’d like to see some of those dollars returned to families in the form of a tax credit.

Voting Yes on Amendment 2 would allow for that. Your concern about public school funding is a valid one, which means that the next step — involving the legislature — will be critical.

LB: I get that, although I think the definition of taxation is about creation of a communal good, not just a rebate. In other words, the state taxes to provide a service. If you want more than that your service, you have to provide it yourself. In your view, other people would now be taxed to give your children something different from everyone else. We don’t pay taxes just to pave the roads that go to our house.

If Amendment 2 passes, what program or programs would you want the General Assembly to create?

SD: You make a good point about providing for the common good. We all want a good education for every Kentucky child! To clarify, I’m not asking anyone to pay for my children’s education. What I and other “vote yes” proponents are asking is that we receive some of our own money back for a period of time in order to educate our children outside the public school system. Education is a unique example. This is one of the few services where by obtaining a different service, you are removing a burden on the current system’s constraints.

Take the EPA or Department of Defense as examples. While our tax dollars will pay for those common services, we all receive direct benefit from cleaner air and a national defense. As far as programs, I would like to see a system similar to the one in Oklahoma that provides refundable income tax credits for private and home-school families up to a certain amount.

Linda, do you mind if I ask what your concerns are if this Amendment were to go forward?

LB: So my concerns are twofold: First, the real believers in school choice look to free market idealogues like Milton Friedman who basically don’t think government should operate schools and the free market should. Or school choice proponents want tear down the wall between church and state.

Second, I look to examples from other states, where choice programs that were first designed to help low-income children have been expanded to everyone with drastic results for state school budgets. And with the lack of accountability, there have been numerous instances of corruption by third-party vendors. And in the end, voucher results simply aren’t good enough to be worth the risk. (See Josh Cowen, The Privateers). I would support limited public charter schools in low-income neighborhoods.

SD: That’s a lot to unpack! I can only speak for myself and say that for everyday parents just trying to make this work for their kids, there aren’t any motives to end public schools or deprive them of their resources. It’s really about providing the best education to our kids based on their personalities, learning styles and individual struggles - and doing so with our own tax dollars. As with any other priority adopted by the General Assembly, the state will have to determine where the dollars to fund this come from, but I would argue that school budgets don’t have to be the natural cutting block. With Kentucky’s strong commitment to public schools, I don’t think it should be.

Accountability is a common question, but I believe that is best determined by outcomes. Are students graduating, securing trade jobs or going to post-secondary education? If a private school is failing, students and dollars leave the school. I also think the General Assembly should be thinking about accreditation and accountability if the amendment passes. Do you like the idea of a tax credit as opposed to a voucher system?

LB: So, as I understand it, a tax credit has the same effect as a voucher in terms of taking from the general fund. So I basically think it’s a wash. And I agree with you about accreditation and accountability, but that’s not always the model in other states. There would have to be a lot of pressure on the General Assembly to make that happen.

What I would like to see is this energy and possible funding redirected to public education, so we have more choice and innovation there. The problem is that apart from people like you, I think there are too many people involved in this who don’t have public schools’ best interests at heart.

SD: I understand your concerns. If Amendment 2 is approved, count me a friend and advocate for continued adequate funding for public schools so we can make sure that all children and teachers in Kentucky get our best. If done well, a yes vote can be a win for everyone.

At the end of the day, I think it’s important we remember we’re not enemies when these disagreements emerge.

Kentuckians will gather around the track at Keeneland, Kroger Field, and at farmers markets and pumpkin patches across the state this weekend. We’ll vote yes, and we’ll vote no.

But at the end of the day, we all just want a better future for all Kentuckians, especially our kiddos!