Rep. Chris Todd talks new school voucher bill during meeting

JACKSON, Tenn. — As Governor Bill Lee is set to hold a special session with lawmakers on January 27, Rep. Chris Todd addressed the Republican Women of Madison County regarding the Education Freedom Scholarship.

State Rep. for the 73rd district Chris Todd, says the Education Freedom Scholarship will not only benefit private school students.

“There’s quite a bit of things in the Education Freedom Scholarship bill that I think our public school students are gonna benefit from,” said Rep. Todd.

This bill will fund 20,000 private school scholarships. A one-time $2,000 bonus for public school teachers, create a dedicated fund for school maintenance and construction and guarantee that public school state funding will not be affected by student body changes.

“I think the biggest benefit here is to return the choice of where a student gets their education back to the parents versus somebody in government telling them where they need to go to school,” said Rep. Todd.

There are some concerns regarding this bill.

Some districts say that students with behavioral problems or special needs won’t be given the same opportunity. And schools won’t receive funding for the remainder of the year for students that transfer back to public schools from private.

Representative Todd says this bill is beneficial for everyone.

“We are all so concerned about our children and their education and their futures, so I think this is one of the tools in the toolbox for us as a state to provide for that free and public education for all students. It’s just one factor, and one option that we have to provide that education,” said Rep. Todd.

Todd is confident the bill will pass with enough votes from the house of representatives and the senate. If approved, this bill will cost taxpayers nearly $400 million.

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