VIEWS CONTRIBUTORS EXPRESS IN OPINIONS ARE THEIR OWN AND CLAYCONEWS MAY OR MAY NOT AGREE
OPINION EDITORIAL
By
Gerardo Serrano
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TYNER, KY (October 26, 2024) — With the upcoming election approaching, Kentucky voters are encouraged to vote in favor of Amendment 2, a critical proposal that will give parents greater control over their child’s education by expanding school choice options across the state. Despite recent concerns and opposition, Amendment 2 is fundamentally about empowering families, fostering educational innovation, and providing a more tailored education experience for every student.
Key Benefits of Amendment 2:
- Empowering Parents with Control Over Education Funding
Amendment 2 puts parents in charge, enabling them to decide where their education tax dollars go. Families can now choose the school that best aligns with their child's needs—whether it’s a public school, private institution, or charter school. - Encouraging Healthy Competition Among Schools
By introducing more options for families, this amendment encourages both public and private schools to compete, driving improvements and innovation in the education sector. Schools will strive to enhance their offerings and deliver higher-quality education to attract students. - Providing Customized Education Options
Not all children thrive in traditional public schools, and Amendment 2 allows families to seek alternative options that provide specialized programs, religious education, or more individualized attention—helping students succeed in environments better suited to their personal learning styles. - Addressing Public School Limitations
For parents whose children are attending underperforming or overcrowded public schools, Amendment 2 offers an important lifeline. Parents will have the flexibility to transfer their child to a school that can offer a better education, ensuring no student is left behind due to their zip code. - A Path Toward Greater Educational Freedom
By passing Amendment 2, Kentucky will join the growing number of states that are embracing school choice initiatives, reaffirming the belief that parents know what is best for their children. This amendment gives families the freedom to access quality education, regardless of their financial situation.
State Budget and Educational Funding
In the proposed state budget for 2024-25, Kentucky allocates over $2.5 billion to public education. This includes an 11% pay raise for public school employees such as teachers and support staff, reflecting the state’s commitment to investing in quality education. Despite these substantial investments, the state’s current average spending per pupil stands close to $14,000 annually.
“There is a lot of fear over Amendment 2 but that proves the emperor has no cloths,” said State Senator Adrienne Southworth. “There is a delusion among critics that public schools will close their doors. The only way that would happen is if there were a voluntary mass exodus. We pump billions of dollars every year into the public school system. [Notice I did not say we are pumping into education or teachers]. If parents remove their kids, that would prove the very need to get out of the system and back to teachers and kids”.
Senator Southworth went on to say. “Amendment 2 gives families a choice and sets a path towards a more personalized innovation, and effective education for Kentucky children”.
Amendment 2 represents an opportunity to invest in Kentucky’s future and ensure every family has the freedom to choose the education that best suits their needs. Kentucky voters are urged to vote YES to educational freedom and opportunity.
Gerardo Serrano is a resident of Jackson County and a contributor to Liberty Candidates in Kentucky. He ran for Congress in the 5th District. He is a Pro-Life Republican with a Libertarian philosophy, advocating for less government and more individual freedom. He also had a case that went to the Supreme Court on Civil Asset Forfeiture, an unconstitutional policy still present in America. He believes that empowering parents with choices is the key to a thriving and innovative educational system that puts students first.
