View this email as a webpage.

The Latest on Amendment 2

School board members,

The debate over whether public tax dollars should be used for private education heated up this week. For many Kentuckians, questions about Amendment 2 are still outpacing the answers. With 80 days until the Nov. 5 election, school boards across Kentucky are uniquely positioned to provide information and insights to their communities about what the amendment's passage could mean for local public schools. Stay tuned to KSBA publications and social media for the latest Amendment 2 developments and resources.

In the meantime, reach out to KSBA and let us know about the conversations you are having and/or hearing about in your local community regarding Amendment 2. What questions are you hearing? What concerns? What misinformation? Where and when is the topic being discussed? Reach out to Amendment2@ksba.org with questions, concerns and local updates.

Attorney general weighs in on public discussion of Amendment 2 by districts, personnel

This week, Attorney General Russell Coleman released an advisory to all public school districts in the Commonwealth reminding them that public resources must not be used to campaign for or against the proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this November. The advisory does not have the force of law, rather it gives notice to public school districts specifically how the attorney general will interpret the law should he be called upon to enforce it.

Read the attorney general’s advisory.

KSBA strongly encourages school board members, superintendents, school board attorneys and district public relations staff to closely review KSBA’s Amendment 2 Public Discussion FAQ document, released last month. The resource provides answers to many common questions on how districts can provide information and input on Amendment 2. 

Amendment 2 in the news

Amendment 2 received quite a bit of media attention this week, a good indication that debate over the issue will be a focus as election season kicks into high gear next month. KSBA will regularly share links to some of those news stories, particularly those in which KSBA is featured.

• Kentucky school district posts against Amendment 2 raise questions about political influence - Kentucky Lantern (Aug. 13)

• Ky. School Boards Assoc. gives guidance on amendment action - Kentucky Today (Aug. 14)

Amendment 2 resources

KSBA’s Amendment 2 resources page continues to grow and includes pertinent downloadable documents, answers to frequently asked questions, talking points, news stories and more.

Access KSBA’s Amendment 2 resources page.

Check back regularly for additional resources leading up to Election Day. Pro tip: Once on the page, consider bookmarking it in your browser so that you can easily return to it. 

KSBA is not the only group working to inform Kentuckians of Amendment 2 and its potential impact on public schools. Below are resources provided by other organizations.

• A report released last month by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy examines what programs will likely follow if Amendment 2 is approved, and how they will impact education in the Commonwealth. Impact is also viewable by district, providing estimates of funding and personnel losses if Kentucky were to pass the amendment and adopt a Florida-style “school choice” model. Read the full report.



• The Prichard Committee has released several helpful resources on understanding Amendment 2 and its potential impact. The resources include research on financial impact, analyses of "school choice" initiatives in other states and historical trends.

• Protect Our Schools Kentucky is a large statewide coalition of individuals and groups opposed to the amendment. The coalition includes KSBA and the organizations representing superintendents, school administrators, current and retired teachers, education support professionals, school social workers, parents and students, among many others. Protect Our Schools KY is asking locally elected officials (such as school board members, council members, magistrates, etc.) to consider individual/personal endorsement. While KSBA’s board of directors voted in July to endorse Protect Our Schools KY as an organization, we leave it up to our members to decide if they wish to individually endorse. Click here to access the individual endorsement form provided by Protect Our Schools KY. 

Check out the Amendment 2 spread in KSBA's August magazine

KSBA's August magazine has begun to hit homes. This month's issue features a spread that includes a helpful "Intro to Amendment 2" fact sheet and a "No on Amendment 2" poster.

Get to know Amendment 2

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