As an educator in the Boone County Public School District, public education is something I care deeply about.

I began my career as an English teacher at Boone County High School in 1998, and it quickly became my home. This is where I belong. Over all these years, I have witnessed the growth of our district, and I am most proud when I walk into our school’s common room each day and see the diversity of students and their varied interests. I have been fortunate to teach future carpenters, doctors, judges, and plumbers. I have watched my students open their own salons, trucking companies, auto repair shops, and other small businesses. I have watched thousands of students leave our campus and become successful, thriving adults.

This election season, Kentucky voters will vote on the second ballot measure that will determine whether we allow Kentucky taxpayers to fund voucher payments for students who attend private schools. Those who want taxpayers to vote yes on this amendment will tell you this is about “school choice” — but don’t be fooled — this is a school voucher program designed to supplement tuition for children who already attend private schools.

As a public school teacher, I am concerned about how the passage of Election Amendment 2 would impact the 90 percent of students currently attending our public schools across the state. The students we teach every day come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse needs. As educators, we address those needs on an individual basis every day. Will private schools that receive public tax dollars do the same?

Does a private school that takes vouchers funded by taxpayers accept a student who is an English language learner? Public schools do. Does a private school accept a student who has an Individualized Education Plan or a 504 Plan that provides special instruction and special services to and assists students with disabilities from preschool through 12th grade? Public schools do. Boone County provides a quality education and accepts EVERY student who comes through our doors.

If Amendment 2 passes, this private school voucher system would divert vital resources away from public schools. Instead, those tax dollars would go to unaccountable private schools that are not required to follow the same rules or hold themselves to the same standards or accept students they may not want to accept because of their race, religion, or disability. Public education provides opportunity for ALL students. We educate everyone. There is no exclusion hanging on our doors. No matter where you come from or what your situation is, you will receive a quality education. ALL students in our communities deserve the absolute best.

Private school voucher programs in Arizona and Florida spend taxpayer dollars on students who have never attended public school. In Arizona, 95 percent of students receiving taxpayer vouchers have never attended public school. In Florida, the figure is 87 percent. Neighboring Ohio has seen a 313 percent increase in vouchers but only a 3.7 percent increase in enrollment. That means Ohio taxpayers are subsidizing wealthy families who already send their children to private schools. In fact, costs are exploding in nearly every state that offers vouchers. Over time, the burden on public schools from these voucher programs becomes financially unsustainable, leading to radical disinvestment in our already underfunded public schools.

I firmly believe that communities are only as strong as their public schools, and passing the Second Amendment will not make them stronger. It will take tax dollars away from our public schools to support private school students.

Some politicians will tell you that they are listening to their constituents on this issue and that is why they support Amendment 2. But in reality, they are just listening to a few loud, well-funded voices waiting for an opportunity to get taxpayer money to fund Kentucky’s exclusive private schools.

I will use my loud teacher voice and urge every parent and taxpayer in Kentucky to vote NO on Ballot Amendment 2 – the private school voucher amendment – ​​to protect our public schools and stand with ALL students.

Kelly Read is an English teacher at Boone County High School