School Board Opposes Lee's Vouchers

HUNTINGDON (January 15) — The Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education met Wednesday afternoon, and present members, along with Director of Schools Dr. Jonathan Kee, made plain their opposition to Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act.

The board members in attendance unanimously approved a resolution opposing the legislation. Absent for the vote were Shawna Smith and Kennedy White.

The governor has called a special legislative session later this month for a vote on the voucher initiative.

Board Chairman Dr. Lee Carter presented the resolution after consulting the Tennessee School Board Association. It reads, in part, “The [HSSD] Board of Education hereby expresses its opposition to the Governor’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act as well as any other voucher or education savings account legislation due to the detrimental impacts these programs will have on our students, schools and community… [the board] urges the Tennessee General Assembly to consider the effects that vouchers or education savings accounts will have on local school districts and to instead seek out ways to support and strengthen public schools throughout the state.”

Dr. Carter pointed out that providing a public education is a constitutional mandate of the state.

Dr. Kee presented members with a “toolkit” titled “School Choice in Tennessee: The Risk of Expanding Vouchers,” which includes information and communication strategies.

He spoke candidly about his concerns. “I’m adamant that public dollars should stay with public schools, because it will affect our revenue. As expenses continue to go up, if a kid were to leave here and go to a private school, that affects our budget. And they can say it doesn’t affect that first year, but, long term, there’s no guarantee. It’s going to affect our funding. And that means cutting positions, that means cutting programs for kids. That’s going to affect public school students. Also, accountability is not the same for public schools and private schools. If third grade retention is so needed for kids, and it’s best for kids, then I think it needs to be applied in any school, private or public, especially if they are receiving public dollars. So, again, I’m adamantly against it.”

Kee noted specifically that “typically 65-90 percent of vouchers that are out there go to support kids that are already in [private] schools. They’re getting a scholarship to reduce that tuition. Again, that affects public schools. I’m all about trying to add programs and add experiences and add staff for our kids and not reduce them, and I feel like this [legislation] will do that long term for us.”

The board discussed and took action on several other issues.

Dr. Kee’s contract was extended by 12 months to the maximum 30 months.

The district calendar for 2026-27 was approved. There are no significant changes compared to 2025-26, and the calendar aligns with the one already approved by the county school board.

Three board policy updates were approved.

The first pertains to voluntary retention in grades K-2. The policy requires a documented academic or behavioral delay. The update now requires the parent or guardian to submit such a request in writing within 30 days of the end of the school year. The school must respond in writing confirming the student’s eligibility for retention.

The second policy update lowers Huntingdon’s stated requirement of 28 credits to graduate to the state minimum requirement of 22 credits. Dr. Kee noted, “We have never denied any student from graduating as long as they had the 22.” The update is at the recommendation of the TSBA to limit confusion.

The third update reflects Tennessee’s acceptance into the FBI’s rap back program which precludes the need for a new background check for school district employees, contractors and volunteers every five years. Under the program, once an individual has completed an initial background check, they will never need another. The FBI continuously monitors individuals enrolled and reports any new findings to the district immediately.

Board members were presented gifts from the schools in honor of School Board Appreciation Week, which falls on January 26-February 1.

The meeting adjourned after 25 minutes.

The next meeting of the Huntingdon school board is Wednesday, February 19 at 5 p.m.