In Kentucky, the educational promise to our children is dimming.
A disturbing report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy paints a bleak picture: the chasm in per-pupil funding between the state’s wealthiest and poorest districts is not just widening—it’s reaching a level that was deemed unconstitutional three decades ago.
Yet, here we are, facing the grim reality of a system that increasingly perpetuates inequality.
It is not just about numbers on paper. The tangible repercussions of this funding gap touch every aspect of the educational experience.
Dr. Robbie Fletcher, in a news interview last week, offered sobering insight into the crisis that educators are grappling with on a daily basis. “With more funding comes more opportunity,” he says, highlighting the sobering pay disparity for teachers between districts.
How do we expect to attract and retain quality educators when starting salaries in some districts barely meet a living wage? The answer is simple: we can’t.
The dwindling number of certified applicants for teaching positions speaks to that.
For educators like Fletcher, the choices have become excruciatingly difficult. Do they compromise on teacher pay to maintain the already stretched-thin resources for students?
The pandemic, unsurprisingly, has only intensified the challenges, pushing the system further to the brink.
The state of affairs begs the question: What does the future of education in Kentucky look like if this trend continues? Fletcher’s suggestion of increased local taxes as a potential solution is certainly not appealing. Nor is the grim prospect of cutting essential services like teacher positions or bus routes.
Already, we are seeing Martin, Lawrence and surrounding school districts make such tough choices.
While the report highlights the dire circumstances, it also presents an opportunity for change.
There is an urgent need for Kentucky’s legislators to treat this issue with the gravity it deserves. It is not enough to just take note of the problem. The onus is on the state to reverse this distressing trend and prioritize and adequately fund education.
Martin County Schools Superintendent Larry James hopes this report will be a wake-up call, and we share that sentiment.
The time to act is now. The state should not be taking away money from education, regardless of the district. Every child, whether from Louisville or Martin County, deserves an equal shot at a quality education.
Let’s ensure they get it.