KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – On Friday, reaction to state lawmakers passing the ‘Education Freedom Scholarship Act’ Thursday by a 54-45 vote in the state house and 20-13 vote in the state senate, continued.
“It allowed parents and students to make their own choices about their education,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
Jacobs had been a long time supporter of school choice and believed that once all the dust settles, it won’t have a negative impact on public schools.
“I think in the end, that’s something a couple years from now we’ll all look back and realize it didn’t have a huge detrimental impact on schools,” said Jacobs.
That optimism was not shared across the board however.
In a debate of the school voucher bill Thursday, one Tennessee lawmaker said the bill would kill city school districts in the counties that had them.
In East Tennessee, Sweetwater City Schools is a district that finds a way to make every penny count.
“I do feel like it makes it really rough on public schools, I know the fog that it’s presented that it won’t affect public schools, but it will,” said Sweetwater City Schools Superintendent Rodney Boruff.
Boruff was appreciative of his elected officials who voted against the bill, but now turns his focus on making sure the district is strict with its money it can rely on now.
“You’re going to have to set aside more money now for the unknown than you would typically before, as I said we have no idea how much that impact is going to be,” said Boruff.
The bill will send 20,000 Tennessee students to private school, equipped with nearly $7,000 in scholarship money.
For the first 10,000 students, the scholarships will be rewarded based on the family not earning more than 300% of the federal free and reduced lunch threshold, while the second 10,000 scholarships will be awarded without an income requirement.
“Any time you pull some of that funding there will be backlash and some trouble coming up from it,” said Boruff.
Lawmakers who crafted the legislation included a hold harmless clause, they said was designed to guarantee a district that loses students would not lose the money attached to them.
However, opponents of the bill fear its a clause added but one it cannot back up.
WVLT News reached out to Anderson County Director of Schools Dr. Tim Parrott for this story and received a statement:
“My role remains unchanged today, just as it was yesterday: to do everything within my power to fulfill the mission of Anderson County Schools by developing, challenging, and supporting Every Student, Every Day. We are privileged to live in one of the greatest countries in the world, and while democracy comes at a significant cost, it sometimes leads to outcomes that may not align with our personal perspectives. Nonetheless, our responsibility remains steadfast. The vote that took place yesterday has fundamentally altered the landscape of education in Tennessee, as the General Assembly approved the funding of two separate education systems. I sincerely hope that the necessary resources will be available to sustain them effectively. My position on the voucher system remains unchanged: extensive research indicates that it does not enhance educational outcomes but instead exacerbates disparities between those who have resources and those who do not. Additionally, while the legislation included a $2,000 bonus for teachers, it notably excluded essential school personnel, including teacher assistants, nurses, bus drivers, custodians, and cafeteria workers. A successful education system requires the dedication of all these individuals, and the General Assembly’s decision to overlook their contributions sends a disheartening message about their value. This exclusion was unjust, and I sincerely hope that it will be addressed in the regular legislative session.”
WVLT also reached out to Lakeway Christian Academy and Kings Academy, two private schools in East Tennessee for participation in this story but did not receive a call back.
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