By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
With polls closing at 6 p.m. on Nov. 5 a hustle-and-bustle swept over the Barren County Clerk’s office as they began to count the votes cast at the nine county locations. Among the races for local government and president, was a proposed constitutional amendment that dealt with public and private education and its funding.
Locally, amendment 2 — which would have added wording to the Kentucky Constitution to allow the legislature to use public money for private schools — was defeated with 67.19 percent, or 12,819, of Barren County residents in opposition and 32.81 percent, or 6,259, in favor of adding the language. The Barren County results have a greater difference than that of the statewide average of 51.4 percent no and 48.6 percent yes votes.
Since its defeat numerous public education institutions have released statements expressing positive outlooks on the results.
Chad Muhlenkamp, who called the amendment “a concern for public education” and said it gave the legislature “free reign…to create vouchers,” said the defeat showed the community’s support and trust for the district and for public education in general stating he does not “take that responsibility lightly and will continue to seek out innovative ways to ensure we are providing the best educational experience possible for all of our students.”
“The people of Barren County and throughout the state have shown great support for public education by overwhelmingly voting no on Amendment 2,” Muhlenkamp wrote in an email. “Public education plays a vital role in the growth of a community and I’m grateful the community sees that same value. Public education is not perfect, but our schools have great staff members that are working daily to provide outstanding and unique opportunities for our students.”
Barren County Schools Finance Director Joe Murley said the vote allows public education to continue to be a benefit to Barren County students. Similarly, Caverna Independent Schools Superintendent Amanda Abell commented that the defeat showed the “support and faith” the community has in public education.
The three districts that serve Barren County have a combined 8,361 students in public education. Statewide there are 691,667 students.
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher put out a statement called the results both an affirmation and an opportunity.
“The election results demonstrate that the resolution passed by the Kentucky Board of Education in October aligns with the Commonwealth’s commitment to using state funds exclusively for the common system of public schools. As commissioner, I see this as both an affirmation that a majority of Kentucky’s residents support public education and a call to action to earn the trust of ALL Kentuckians,” Fletcher wrote. “While I sincerely appreciate these results, I believe they present an opportunity for public educators, including myself, to deepen engagement with all stakeholders to ensure we deliver the best possible education system for all students.”
The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy likewise released a statement.
“By rejecting Amendment 2 on Tuesday, the people of Kentucky made it overwhelmingly clear that they prioritize investing in public education and are ready for our leaders to do the same,” the statement read. “From every corner of the commonwealth, Kentuckians across the political spectrum agreed that the state should preserve its uniquely strong constitutional protections for public education by voting ‘no’ on Amendment 2.”
“Tuesday’s vote is an opportunity for Kentuckians to come together and make a fresh commitment to strengthening public education.”
