Utah: Vote No on Amendment A - Protect Public Education and School Libraries

We stand with our education and school library stakeholders, including the Utah Library Association, in strongly opposing Amendment A to the Utah Constitution on the November 5, 2024, statewide ballot. This proposed constitutional amendment seeks to dismantle a long-standing mandate that safeguards funding for public education in Utah—something that will negatively impact our schools and school libraries, which rely on stable educational systems for collaborative programming and services.

We endorse the Utahns for Student Success coalition's aims and goals in defeating Amendment A.

For nearly 80 years, Utah’s constitution has ensured that income tax revenue is directed toward public education, providing crucial, consistent funding for K-12 schools. Amendment A would undo this guarantee, allowing the legislature to redirect funds away from the very institutions that serve as the backbone of our communities.

We Oppose Amendment A in Utah Because:

• It is a Threat to Educational Stability: Removing the constitutional mandate opens the door for funding cuts to public schools, threatening the quality of education for Utah’s children. Public schools, which educate over 90% of Utah’s students, rely on this dedicated revenue stream. Diverting these funds creates uncertainty and instability, leaving schools underfunded and students underserved.

• Its Impact on School Libraries: School libraries play a critical role in fostering literacy, research skills, and lifelong learning. Without reliable funding for schools, school libraries may face cutbacks, reducing students' access to essential resources, technology, and reading materials. This would disproportionately impact students in rural and lower-income districts, where school libraries are often the primary resource for books and digital tools.

• It Increases Inequality: Amendment A will disproportionately impact underfunded school districts that rely on state education funding to provide equitable opportunities for their students. Without this constitutional protection, wealthier districts could continue to thrive while disadvantaged communities fall further behind.

• It is a Backdoor to Privatization: Utah’s growing school voucher program, which diverts public dollars into private schools, stands to benefit if Amendment A passes. The legislature’s ongoing push toward school privatization will only intensify if this amendment removes the constitutional protections for public education funding, leaving public schools struggling to meet basic needs.

Our public education system, including critical components like school libraries, needs stable and dedicated funding to ensure that every child has access to a quality education, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic background. On November 5th, vote to protect Utah’s students and their right to a strong public education. Vote No on Amendment A.