| The Kentucky General Assembly is now in full swing and we are gearing up for a session that promises to be extremely interesting. From mandating agreements with ICE to making October 14th Charlie Kirk day, legislators are pushing bills that signal their priorities, which don’t align with the real world problems in KY and the country. For example, let’s consider education. Kentucky’s public education system is struggling. Let’s look at two issues crippling our public schools. Issue: There’s a teacher shortage, largely because of the cuts to benefits (e.g., pensions) and salary stagnation (KY is 42nd in terms of educator pay). Legislators are cutting requirements to teach and lowering standards to fill the gap created by their own actions (or lack of). KY once had a teaching force with mandated master degree education, ongoing professional development, and subject area certification testing. Issue: The General Assembly has cut funding for the state’s core public school funding formula by 24% since 2008, and the gap between wealthy and poor school districts has reached levels declared unconstitutional in 1989. As the federal and state legislators cut funding to public schools, districts are faced with budget cuts, reduction in staff, and raising local taxes to cover shortfalls. There’s no funding for transportation, professional development and other critical services. What are our KY legislators doing about these critical issues? Consider Senator Tichenor’s solution- Senate Bill 26, which proposes the elimination of DEI initiatives K-12. It’s time that legislators like Senator Tichenor stop the culture wars and focus on real problems. We need serious leaders who understand and value public schools. Ones who can find ways to attract and retain top talent. Leaders who understand that public schools serve all people and therefore should be inclusive and secular. Instead of shallow and divisive solutions, KY legislators like Senator Tichenor need to focus on finding ways to fully fund public schools, strengthen our teaching force, and improve curriculum standards and educational opportunities. We are asking that you call or email Senator Tichenor and your representatives at 1-800-372-7181 and tell them “DEI is not the problem. Focus on finding real solutions to the teacher shortage and school funding crisis.” KCfD is partnering with Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools on this call to action. This same message is being sent to 16,000 Kentuckians who live in the districts of legislators serving on the education committees in Frankfort. You can also use this tool to contact your lawmakers. We want to start early opposing bad and divisive solutions to important problems facing our schools. We need you. We need your voice and your persistence. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Now, more than ever, we must stand up and let our voices be heard. |
 In Solidarity and With Hope,Anita Davis Associate Director – Kentucky Citizens for Democracy contact@kycitizens.org |
| Sources: Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (2025, June 16). Kentucky teacher pensions are getting smaller. https://kypolicy.org/kentucky-teacher-pensions-are-getting-smaller/ Spalding, A. (2025, August 13). Education funding in Kentucky remains inadequate, inequitable and uncertain as kids head back to school. Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. https://kypolicy.org/education-funding-in-kentucky-remains-i… |
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