On the morning of Oct. 13th, Jessica Hiler, the president of the Fayette County Education Association, was among those gathered at a Lexington student-led teach-in regarding Amendment 2, which would change the state constitution and allow for public funds to be allocated outside “the system of common schools,” or public schools. She brought a public school student, her son, with her.

“I see firsthand the importance of public education in our community, the important role the public schools play,” Hiler told The New Edu, drawing on her experience as a Deep Springs Elementary teacher to speak alongside students. 

“The energy is really great–to have students coming out and advocating for their public schools is important,” Hiler said. “I think it sends a message to the community that public schools are important to us, and to have kids out here on a Sunday morning, it's great.”

Prior to the teach-in, students gathered in the parking lot of Rupp Arena, with the sun barely out and most Lexingtonians still in bed. Impromptu signs were being pushed around by the wind as poster boards were taped to the school bus windows. Squeaky mics to capture the day were being tested, and students did it all with smiles on their faces. Members of the Kentucky Student Voice Team were about to embark on a cross-Kentucky journey, to Lexington, Louisville, and Frankfort, dubbed the Amendment 2 Myth Bus(ting) Tour. 

The tour was organized to inform voters about Amendment 2 through “teach-ins,” providing student testimonials on the potential harm Amendment 2 could cause Kentucky public schools. The Kentucky Student Voice Team is part of Protect Our Schools KY, a coalition of public education advocates and allied organizations committed to defeating Amendment 2.

“We're here just to educate…we're not pushing an agenda. We're just trying to give out the facts, you know, simple and straight,” said  KSVT Policy Co-coordinator and bus tour speaker Khoa Ta. 

After a kick-off press conference in the parking lot, students marched their way to Triangle Park at the heart of Lexington, holding signs scribbled with slogans like “Put the Brakes on Amendment 2” and “Leave A2 in the Rear View.” As the teach-in audience began to gather, car horns filled the air, coaxed by “Honk if You Support Public Schools” posters and enthusiastic members advocating to passing cars. 

KSVT Cross Organizational Coordinator, Luisa Sanchez, told The New Edu she would be speaking about the origins of vouchers and the Brown v. Board of Education at stops, underscoring how there continues to be racial disparities within voucher programs. “I think it's really important to just go into a little bit of history when it comes to vouchers so that people get the full context,” she said.

duPont Manual High School sophomore Maggie Stone, who also spoke at the stops, pointed out her personal experience. She attended private school for seven years, and ultimately, it wasn’t the place for her. “Even though supporters of Amendment 2 kind of assume that, you know, private schools are the best choice for everyone, they really aren't,” said Stone, who added that public schools are essential to Kentucky.

The 30 minute teach-ins consisted of student testimonials, hitting key points like the potential effects of vouchers on their extracurriculars, school buildings, and art programs. Students also pointed to the history of vouchers in Kentucky, and the potential ramifications on teachers, providing alternatives to actually help Kentucky public schools. 

Meanwhile, in the crowd, educators and community members talked about what brought them to the teach-in. Anne Gay Donworth, a candidate for Fayette County’s state representative, was also in attendance at the Frankfort teach-in. She stated her concern for what Amendment 2 could do as a mother of public school students, and her future attempts to protect Kentucky public education. 

Following Donworth’s speech, Pam Thomas, a researcher at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, raised concerns about the misinformation circulating about Amendment Two, namely the claim that it will save money and raise teacher pay. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy has done research that shows that in states that have these voucher programs, teacher pay is lower. 

Thomas also emphasized the importance of students speaking out. “I worked for the legislature for 25 years, and so I saw a lot of people testify, and what I can say without a doubt is [that] hearing student voices is really important, and the legislature listens to them.”

Eddie Campbell, a current teacher from Knox County who is serving as president of the Kentucky Education Association, also spoke at the stop in Frankfort alongside Kentucky Education Association vice-president Joel Wolford. Campbell told The New Edu he’s proud of students who are speaking out on focusing on ensuring every public school in Kentucky provides opportunities for students like them. 

“Our public schools are woefully underfunded right now, and 90% of the school aged children in the state of Kentucky attended public schools,” he told The New Edu. “We need to make sure that we're focusing on funding those public schools so that every student has an opportunity.

Kathy Daugherty, a retired elementary school teacher, came out to the Capitol specifically to support the students. “I am here to support public schools,” she told The New Edu. She said she  hated the idea of Kentucky losing any more support for the public school system. “I know a number of current and retired educators, and I don't know the single one that is in favor of it,” she said of Amendment Two.

As students spoke, other members passed out Post-Its for audience members to add to a posterboard with the phrase “Why I Value My Public School.” Students and teachers alike scribbled messages like “because they serve ALL students” and “it’s a safe community where I feel accepted.” 

Shortly after, students KSVT members then hauled into the bus for the final stop in Louisville. During the hour-long drive, students interviewed speakers for The New Edu and Get Schooled, KSVT’s newspaper and podcast publications.

By 2:30 P.M., the KSVT Myth Bus(ting) Tour accumulated at the front of Jefferson County Traditional Middle School, where windy weather did not stop the team from educating Louisville residents. Students piled atop the school’s front steps with posters, waving at neighbors walking their dogs.

“I did send my children to private schools for various reasons. I would not vote for this. I would not expect other people to pay for me for that decision,” said Tracie Meyer. Meyer, who also informally spoke to the crowd as a parent of private school students, said that the teach-in had a positive atmosphere and wished there were about 30,000 more people there.

If Amendment Two were to pass, she’s concerned that students with IEPs would not have access to those resources at private or charter schools. “I worry about them losing those resources. I believe it's important for everyone in Kentucky to be educated,” Meyer said. “I think there's just so many things about this amendment that just breaks my heart.”

Although it was a long day, with lengthy stretches of traveling and educating, the Kentucky Student Voice Team ended the Louisville teach-in with plenty of photos, hugs, and congratulations. 

Peter Jefferson, KSVT’s Voucher Campaign Coordinator who was among the leads in organizing the bus tour, said that the whole goal of the day was to inform people across Kentucky about student perspectives on the amendment that community members will vote on come November.

“There is one group that spends all day in school being taught, and that's the students. We spend so much time in school,” he said. “We care about it.” 

‍

‍