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Proposed resolution would urge Tennessee legislature to repeal educator-diversity statute; board divided on timing
Summary
A board member introduced a resolution asking the Tennessee General Assembly to delete TCA 49-1-302, which directs state policy on educator diversity. Board members debated the merits and timing and were split on whether to bring the resolution forward immediately or wait for possible legislation filings.
A resolution asking the Tennessee General Assembly to delete Tennessee Code Annotated section 49-1-302 — the statute directing state policy on educator diversity — was presented to the Rutherford County School Board and scheduled for the board’s Thursday agenda.
The resolution, presented by board member Mister Tibble, calls on the General Assembly to “delete TCA section 49-1-302 in its entirety, eliminating state imposed requirements related to educator diversity goals, recruitment strategies, and statewide monitoring systems,” and notes that state law and State Board policy guide local goals and reporting. The resolution text cited the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College as part of the national conversation on diversity policies.
Board members debated policy, purpose and timing. “I just wanna say, it's been very volatile in the state due to the voucher rule, and honestly, I really would hate to see us take up any more resolutions,” one board member said, urging a focus on student services and fewer resolutions. Another board member, Miss Maxwell, argued the resolution clarified three distinctions — diversity, equity and inclusion — and said the district has not implemented hiring based on race.
Doctor Sullivan told the board the statutory requirement came from the General Assembly (passed in February 2019) and the State Board policy implementing it was adopted in 2021. “TCA 49-1-302.G requires the commissioner to recommend that the state board to adopt a policy to address educator diversity,” he said.
Several members urged waiting to see if a bill is filed during the current legislative filing window; others favored taking a position now to let state lawmakers know the board’s direction. The transcript shows the resolution was placed on the Thursday agenda for consideration; no board vote on final adoption is recorded in the provided excerpt.
