Hollenbach's full answer about the Blue Grass Fund, who has spent $200,000+ in TV ads, $30,000+ in mailings, and $20,000 for radio spots, was this:
"There's money in politics. While this a nonpartisan race, this is the most political race in this community. I don't control what people say about me or what they said about me, but I hope it's accurate. I spent more time courting the Better Schools Kentucky group than any other."
He then discussed at length his discussions with Better Schools Kentucky, the JCTA funded group that is supporting Chris Brady.
Fritz Hollenbach didn't mention the Bluegrass Fund by name or discuss the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in support of his campaign. He did, however, come to their defense when Chris Brady questioned the support and mentioned that the group's donations primarily come from a few wealthy people, several with ties to the charter school movement. Hollenbach suddenly seemed to know all about the Bluegrass Fund, and challenged Brady to prove they support charter schools.
Truly, Fritz Hollenbach is right. There is no actual proof that the Bluegrass Fund supports charter schools, or any other ideas. There are no documents that state their specific ideology, beliefs, or desires for public schools. While I can point Fritz Hollenbach to the involvement in the Bluegrass Fund of charter school supporters like Joe Burgan, or members that our charter loving governor appointed to the Board of Education, like Rich Gimmel and Hal Heiner, I cannot say that the Bluegrass Fund explicitly supports charter schools, privatizing schools, vouchers, or really anything at all. In fact, the fund has proudly refused to state its goals, criteria for endorsement, or any real information about what they hope to accomplish by backing candidates.
Chris Brady is endorsed by and has received funding in support of his election from the JCTA. But as a parent with 10 years invested in JCPS, I know the members of the teacher's union. To the person, these teachers are dedicated, driven, and want to teach in schools that are well funded, have adequate resources for kids, are safe, and provide the best environment for kids to learn. Yes, they also desire to be paid well and have their benefits remain secure, but who among us doesn't feel the same way?
Public education is under attack from all sides these days, with many billionaires and multi-millionaires thinking that because they have been successful in business, they know exactly what needs to be done to fix everything within public education. Teachers spend years educating themselves in their craft, just like lawyers, doctors, engineers, and other professionals. Yet, for some reason, teachers are the only profession whose abilities and knowledge are regularly criticized and challenged by the wealthiest and most connected in our communities.
If you support public education, JCPS, and its teachers, I would hope that you too question the amount of money being put into the school board race by people without a personal stake in the system. Chris Brady is an intelligent, thoughtful, educated candidate who is personally invested in the success of JCPS for his own two children. He is by far the best candidate in District 7 for School Board, and deserves your vote over Fritz Hollenbach.