Both the Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate have passed Governor Bill Lee’s Education Reform Act, and it now head’s to the Governor’s desk to become law. The vote in the House was 54 in favor, 44 against, and one not voting. The Senate voted for the bill 20-13. 5th District Representative David Hawk voted against the bill and 9th District Senator Steve Southerland, both of whom represent Greene County, voted against the bill.
Governor Lee’s proposal would provide 20,000 scholarships that parents could use to help defray costs of sending their children to private schools. The scholarship would be for a little over $7,000 per year. A portion of those scholarships would be awarded based on income level.
Both the Greeneville and Greene County Boards of Education, along with the Greene County Commission and most Boards of Education in East Tennessee have all voted to oppose the program. Lee said he understands the resistance to change, but also pointed to his administrations support of education.
