BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE Feb. 2: Amanda Vance, the Blount County Schools Supervisor of District Communications provided WBIR with a statement following Thursday's meeting.
"Blount County Schools believes that 'public funds should be directed to public schools for the betterment of the student population and community overall.' In addition, 'all educational institutions receiving public funds should have the same accountability and reporting standards,' the statement said. We are Blount County Strong and are committed to graduating students equipped to achieve excellence. This commitment requires appropriate funding, thoughtful student-focused planning, and continued financial support from our state. We are proud to stand in partnership with Maryville City Schools, Alcoa City Schools, and the Blount County Commission in opposition of vouchers."
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The Blount County Board of Education will consider a joint resolution opposing a proposed universal school vouchers program in Tennessee at Thursday night's meeting.
According to the meeting's agenda, the plan is to discuss and possibly take action on Resolution 24-01-014.
The measure is supported by Blount County Commissioners Ron French, Robbie Bennett, Dyran Bledsoe, Earl McMahan, Brad Bowers and Dawn Reagan, and urges the Tennessee General Assembly to "reject any actions or initiatives that would divert public dollars away from K-12 public schools for private use."
Governor Bill Lee brought forth his plan for the program, which would give families who apply $7,075 to pay for tuition and associated costs, late last year. Families could use it to pay for fees at faith-based schools, charter schools, private schools and others. Critics said it would effectively use public money to fund private education, which may not need to follow the same rules as public schools.
According to his plan, the money would come from the state's general fund. When the program is introduced, it would set aside 20,000 vouchers for low-income students and those with disabilities. Then 10,000 vouchers would be available for all students in Tennessee. After that introductory period, money could be given to families as funds allow.
Lee's plan said funds could be used for a number of things, including:
- Private school tuition, fees and uniforms required by the private school
- Textbooks, curricula and instructional materials required by the private school
- Tutoring services provided by a tutor or tutoring facility
- Fees for transportation to and from a private school
- Computer hardware, technological devices and tech fees used for educational needs
- Tuition, fees, textbooks, curricula and instructional materials for summer and after-school academic programs (public and private), not including after-school childcare
- Fees for early postsecondary opportunity courses or exams, entrance exams required for postsecondary admission and industry credentials as promoted by TDOE
- Educational therapy services provided by therapists
The resolution on the agenda for Thursday's school board meeting in Blount County said that public funds need to be used for public schools, for the betterment of students and the overall community.
"The Blount County Board of Education is fully transparent to parents and the public as the district adheres to open record requests, state mandated academic and accountability measures, (and), financial standards," the resolution said.
A representative with Blount County Schools told WBIR in an email that they will provide a statement about the resolution following Thursday's meeting.
Representative Bryan Richey (R - Maryville), who supports the voucher program, plans to host a listening tour about the proposed legislation next week.
Richey will be at the Blount County Public Library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
“Providing students across our state with a quality education remains a priority in Tennessee,” Richey said. “I look forward to hearing from residents about their thoughts and suggestions regarding the proposed expansion of school choice statewide. This feedback will be valuable once my colleagues and I begin discussing this legislation in committee.”
The Blount County Board of Education will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
It would not be the first East Tennessee school district to formally oppose the program. Anderson County Schools previously asked state lawmakers to reject the proposal, and some families in rural areas raised concerns about the program.