The Greene County Board of Education will consider opposition to the Education Freedom Act when it meets on Wednesday.
Commonly referred to as the Voucher bill, board members will have on their agenda a formal resolution opposing the plan driven by Governor Bill Lee and last week endorsed by seven area county mayors, including Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison.
The Board of Education meets at 5:30 Wednesday afternoon at the Central Office.
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A RESOLUTION OF THE GREENE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OPPOSING THE EDUCATION FREEDOM ACT
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 12 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee requires the General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance, support, and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools; and
WHEREAS, Greene County Schools is charged to provide a free and appropriate education for all students, regardless of background, need, or ability, delivering exemplary learning opportunities for years that ensure success for all children; and
WHEREAS, Greene County Schools educates and serves every eligible student in our community who wishes to enroll; and
WHEREAS, Greene County Schools has a long-established history of providing a wide array of academics, athletics, social, and arts programs through effective and strategic stewardship of public funds; and
WHEREAS, the Greene County Board of Education is committed to ensuring local control over our schools through transparency and accountability, reflecting the values and needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, the Greene County Board of Education believes all educational institutions receiving public funds should have the same level of academic and financial transparency and accountability; and
WHEREAS, private educational institutions do not face the same state-approved academic standards, transparency requirements, accountability methods, and performance measures as public educational institutions, nor are they required to accept all students and offer needed specialized programs; and
WHEREAS, diverting critically needed public funds to private educational institutions through vouchers/Education Savings Accounts threatens Greene County Schools’ ability to maintain its excellent quality of programs and services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Greene County Board of Education unanimously opposes the “Education Freedom Act” and strongly urges the Tennessee General Assembly to reject such legislation and/or any other similar voucher or Education Savings Account legislation that would divert public dollars away from public schools.
