Amendment 2, the state’s school choice ballot measure, didn’t stand a chance as voters demonstrated as Election Day results began to pour in on Tuesday night.
“The people of Kentucky proved they are free thinkers. They knew it wasn’t a partisan issue but that it affected all of Kentucky’s children,” said Scott County school district superintendent, Billy Parker.
Parker said Amendment 2, which if passed would’ve given state legislators the right to amend the constitution to siphon public tax dollars and direct those to private schools, was the single biggest issue of this career. Similarly loud, deep sighs of relief could be heard from Fayette County school headquarters as well.
“I’m thankful to the people of Kentucky who stood up and said loudly and clearly, ‘This ain’t happening here,’” said FCPS Board Chairman Tyler Murphy.
For Murphy it was about so much more than just the damage such a bill could’ve caused in the classrooms.
“In eastern Kentucky public schools wrapped their arms around communities impacted by flooding,” he said. “In western Kentucky public schools raised money for supplies for communities ravaged by tornadoes. The public schools do more than just educate. They bring communities together, they support families, and, in some communities, they are the largest employer.”