The Bluegrass Institute’s “Free to Learn” debate series kicked off with the opening forum on Dec. 3 at Southern Baptist Seminary’s Heeren Hall.

Craig Meredith, Ph.D., a former Ohio superintendent, and University of Kentucky education professor Wayne Lewis, Ph.D., who also serves on the Kentucky Charter Schools Association board, had a civil, but serious, exchange of views on the value, need and impact of public charter schools.

The event, which is a must-see for anyone wanting to better understand the differing views on public charter schools, was live-streamed and now is available for viewing here on YouTube.

Linda Duncan, a longtime member of the Jefferson County school board, who initially committed to debate Lewis, rudely backed out at the last minute – right on the cusp of a holiday weekend.

Ducan said she was getting internal pressure – no doubt from the central office of JCPS – a school district where, on average, a 20-point gap in math proficiency rates exists between white and black students at every school level – elementary, middle and high schools.

That district’s rulers didn’t want their subjects appearing on a stage anywhere in the River City with anyone of Lewis’ credibility and stature.

We will soon have details on the second debate in this series.