What: Send a letter to your representatives using this tool, then call them 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.”

WHY:
Kentucky’s public education system is struggling. What are our legislators doing to address that?

Issue: Kentucky has a teacher shortage due to cuts to benefits and pensions, and the fact that KY is 42nd in the country for teacher pay. Legislators are cutting requirements to teach and lowering standards to fill the teachers shortage created by their own actions.

Issue: Our General Assembly has cut funding for 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 federal and state legislators cut funding to our public schools, districts are faced with budget cuts and reductions in staff, and have to raise local taxes to cover shortfalls.

A Distraction, NOT a Solution
Instead of addressing these REAL issues, State Senator Tichenor and her colleagues are pushing Senate Bill 26, which proposes the elimination of diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in 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, and can find ways to attract and retain top talent for our classrooms. We need leaders who understand that public schools serve all people and should be inclusive and secular.

Instead of shallow and divisive solutions, 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.

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Sources:

Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (2025, June 16). Kentucky teacher pensions are getting smaller. https://kypolicy.org/kentucky-teacher-pensions-are-getting-smaller/