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House education committee confirms three for Charter School Commission; debate over closures surfaces
Summary
The Tennessee House Education Committee voted to confirm Eddie Smith, Terrence Patterson and Thomas Lierman to the state Charter School Commission after candidates said they would close underperforming schools if warranted. Representative Annika Johnson said she opposes charter schools and voted against some confirmations.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee House Education Committee voted to confirm three nominees to the state Charter School Commission on Oct. 12, advancing the appointments to the Calendar and Rules Committee after members reviewed each candidate's record and asked whether they would close underperforming charter schools.
The committee approved the reappointment of Eddie Smith (HJR174) by a 15-1 vote after Majority Leader William Lambert introduced Smith and asked members for a positive recommendation. Smith, a former state representative and a current commissioner, told the committee he helped start the commission in 2019 and said the panel has worked to raise school quality in recent years. "I would never vote...to replace like for like," Smith said, adding that the commission seeks to bring "a higher level of schools" to serve students.
The panel confirmed Terrence Patterson (HJR173), CEO of the Memphis Education Fund, 15-1. Patterson said he serves as chair of the Charter Commission’s academic accountability committee and emphasized the commission’s responsibility to set a "high quality bar." He told members, "If a school is underperforming and there are higher performing options for that student and that family, we absolutely would, or I would, be voting in favor of closing that particular school." Patterson also said he expects charter schools to grow in number and enrollment in the next five years because they provide additional choice in some communities.
The committee also confirmed Thomas Lierman (HJR185) by a 15-1 vote. Lierman, who described long experience with charter authorizing and governance in other states, said comparisons among available local options matter when assessing a charter's performance and reiterated a willingness to vote to close schools that do not meet standards.
Not all members supported the nominations. Representative Annika Johnson told the committee she is "adamantly opposed to charter schools" and said her votes against commission appointees reflected a view that charter schools have not demonstrated the expected success. Other members, including Representative Ramesh McKenzie, questioned nominees about their vision for the commission and whether commissioners would exercise the authority to nonrenew charters that fail to serve students.
All three confirmations will move to the full House Calendar and Rules Committee for further consideration.
Votes at a glance: Eddie Smith (HJR174) — 15 ayes, 1 nay (approved); Terrence Patterson (HJR173) — 15 ayes, 1 nay (approved); Thomas Lierman (HJR185) — 15 ayes, 1 nay (approved).
