Brian Alexander Gives Opinion on KY Amendment 2

Darren Doyle, story:
Kentucky Amendment 2 is one of two constitutional amendments that will appear on the 2024 General Election ballot in Edmonson County. If passed, this amendment will allow the use of state funding for non-public education. The measure would add language to the Kentucky Constitution saying that "the General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools." K-12 public schools are referred to as common schools in the KY Constitution.

We reached out to Brian Alexander and asked several questions regarding Amendment 2. He first told us that he could not comment as the Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools, nor the Edmonson County Board of Education, but he agreed to share his opinion as a citizen of Edmonson County, and that as a citizen, opposes Amendment 2.

"First, I was a child who had food on the table and a roof over my head because of teacher salaries.  I was raised by public school teachers. I was taught by public school teachers," he stated. "I know today’s public school teachers in Edmonson County, as well as other places. They are good, decent, hard-working professionals who care about children. They are compensated from public school funds. A yes vote on Amendment 2 can affect their compensation and would cripple public schools." 

He then explained how Amendment 2 would hurt private schools.

"Based on my research, the monetary amount associated with private school vouchers will not cover the cost of private schools, and there will be strings attached to the use of public school funds in a private school setting.  In my research as a citizen, private schools are a personal choice, religious doctrines being a very prevalent aspect of this choice.  Anyone who thinks that separation of church and state in the private school setting when public funds are used in the private setting is fooling themselves."

Alexander also stated that safety is another reason he is against the amendment.

"Without a doubt, public schools are exponentially safer than private schools and personal homes.  There are reports in Edmonson County periodically of persons walking around, and sometimes into, homes.  If an intruder attempts to enter a home they’ll get in in a matter of a minute or less.  That is not the case in a public school building.  If private schools are allotted public funds they should be subject to the same safety standards, and reaching those standards will be costly.  This raises private school tuition and devalues the previously mentioned vouchers." 

Alexander said that school choice is already an option. 

"A NO vote on Amendment 2 protects public school funding as well as the autonomy associated with school choice."

While several lawmakers have voiced support for Amendment 2, including U.S. KY Senator Rand Paul, many local and area educators are against it, including Warren County Superintendent Rob Clayton in multiple interviews.

The General Election is scheduled for November 5, 2024. In addition to Amendment 2, voters will cast their choice for support or opposition of Amendment 1, which if passed, would prohibit any person who is not a citizen of the United States from voting in any Kentucky election.

There will also be a local question asking county voters if they are in favor of medicinal cannabis at licensed dispensaries and the operation of other cannabis businesses in Edmonson County.