While much of the legislation we work on in Frankfort is pretty straight-forward, our commonwealth’s obligation to provide education has stirred debate for almost two centuries. It is well worth the time. After all, education is the great equalizer, paving the way for a better quality of life that includes better jobs, health, and community participation.
This week, the debate continued with the passage of House Bill 2, legislation that would allow Kentucky voters to decide whether or not the legislature may provide state tax dollars to educate students outside of the state’s public schools.
This amendment comes after years of efforts, including providing historic levels of funding for education (even when adjusted for inflation), addressing the teacher and staff shortage, and tackling problems with classroom behavior. Approximately $4.5 billion annually is allocated towards K-12 public schools, accounting for more than 40% of the commonwealth’s annual General Fund expenditures. The House version of the budget proposed earlier this session would increase the SEEK per pupil base by 4% in the first year and another 2% in the second year, provides for 100% of pupil transportation costs in the second year, and grants an additional 16.5 million in each fiscal year towards reimbursing the cost of school resource officers.
There are many success stories coming out of our current education system, but we also know that the one size fits all approach is leaving many students behind. Proposals to provide Kentucky parents with more flexibility in determining their child’s educational path have been before the legislature for the greater part of two decades. The legislature has passed several, but Kentucky courts have consistently ruled that the 1891 Constitution prohibits state tax dollars going to educational institutions outside the “system of common schools.”
There are those who support providing more options, and those who do not. What everyone seems to agree on is that to do more than we have already done will require amending the state’s constitution. So, HB 2 uses the purist form of democracy — the vote — to allow Kentuckians to determine whether or not the state’s 1891 constitution should be amended to allow the legislature to consider policies that may include providing financial support to educate students outside of the public school system. Our current constitution is the state’s fourth and was written more than 133 years ago. It has been amended 40 times since 1891.
The exact proposed ballot language would read: “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?”
If passed, the proposed constitutional amendment would add the following language to the constitution: “The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186 and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.”
Regardless of how Kentuckians choose to vote, we remain committed to making sure that each Kentucky child has the educational opportunities they need to reach their potential.
As always, I can be reached on my mobile at (502)639-7079 or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at James.Tipton@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.