A coalition of health organizations or health organizations, A coalition of health organizations or health organizations, rather, asserts that a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot in Kentucky involving education funding is also a health issue.

Amendment two, if approved in less than three weeks, could create a path for public funding for private education.

Some health groups have coalesced against the amendment, saying it could harm students health.

Why is this a health issue?

You might ask?

Well, because education is one of the most significant predictors of health outcomes.

People with more education live longer, healthier lives.

They are more likely to access quality, health care, secure, well-paying jobs, and it affords them the opportunity to live in healthier environments.

This is why it's critical that every child is able to receive a quality education and a properly funded public school system is the only way to guarantee this access for all kids and not just a fee.

Since private schools are not required to follow state and federal anti-discrimination regulations that protects students with disabilities, these schools could cherry pick students that they choose to enroll in states with vouchers.

Parents report that their children with disabilities were often denied admission to private schools or were not retained in class for the entire school year.

So they were accepted initially and then dropped either because of their behavior or lack of progress.

Parents also reported that some private schools charge them for therapy services that were in the child's IEP, something they had never encountered in public schools.

Research shows that school meals improve student health, including obesity rates and behavioral and mental health outcomes.

School meals also improve academic performance, including through reduced tardiness, fewer disciplinary office referrals and improved math and reading test scores.

Siphoning money away from public schools to provide tax funded voucher programs for private education not only creates a two tiered education system, but it also widens the hunger gap that we faced as a commonwealth for all too long.

Let's keep kids healthy and fed by saying no to Amendment two this November.

What would it mean for the schools in your district?

Having already spent decades doing more with less to have their budgets cut even further, it would mean cuts to health services such as school nurses, health screenings, counseling and mental health services.

It would mean the elimination of wellness and nutrition programs.

It would mean increased class size and limited resources for special needs, making it challenging for our teachers and staff to deliver individualized attention.

These cuts would go beyond impacting students ability to succeed academically and socially.

They could create negative consequences for their physical and emotional health into their adult lives.

We need to be clear the impact of this amendment would not be felt equally.

The loss of funds could force public schools to cut or scale back health screenings, transportation and other services in programing that are especially important for our vulnerable populations.

Kentucky's public schools are the backbone of our communities, and they provide critical access to education for all children.