McKenzie school district votes on governor’s Educational Freedom Scholarship Act

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – A local school district met Monday evening to decide the next steps after a new act was presented by Gov. Bill Lee.

McKenzie Special School District had its special board meeting voting for or against the Educational Freedom Scholarship Act. 

The Educational Freedom Scholarship Act was introduced to Tennesseans in November of 2023. 

This act would provide a minimum of 20,000 scholarships for the 2024 to 2025 school year. 

Board members of McKenzie need more clarification on which students qualify.

“Our board obviously is wanting to protect traditional public education, and there, again, is a lot of questions revolving around this act that we are not sure right now,” said McKenzie Special School District’s Director of Schools, Justin Barden.

The Tennessee Education Freedom website mentions that the funds can go towards students’ textbooks, tutoring, private school tuition, and other fees, as well as educational therapy.

Barden shares their vote.

“So we had a special-call meeting tonight, our board resolved to oppose an upcoming act from Governor Lee. It’s the Education Freedom Act,” Barden said.

Barden also shares the reasoning behind their decision.

“There’s a concern with how funding will be potentially taken from public schools, put into potentially private sectors,” Barden said.

He also says that the governor has provided help in the past with other bills and acts.

The McKenzie school system received grants in the past and is worried about what happens when those grants are no longer available.

The general assembly will meet on January 9, according to Barden, and will discuss the district’s resolution.

Barren also shares that he is also concerned with public school teachers and staff and the impact the act could have on them.

You can read the district’s resolution for yourself here.

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