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Dickson County board considers resolution opposing Education Freedom Act; board debates wording and special‑session timing
Summary
Trustees reviewed a proposed resolution opposing the governor’s Education Freedom Act and related voucher/education savings account proposals. The board discussed wording and the special session’s timing; members moved to adopt the resolution and asked staff to circulate a final signed copy the following day.
The Dickson County Board of Education reviewed a draft resolution on Jan. 23 expressing opposition to the governor’s Education Freedom Act and to voucher or education‑savings‑account (ESA) legislation that would redirect public funds to private schools.
Board counsel presented a version that cited the Tennessee Constitution (Article XI, Section 12) and argued vouchers and ESAs would divert state funding away from public schools, reduce local control and limit public accountability for student outcomes and federal special‑education obligations. The draft resolution asks the Tennessee General Assembly to consider the impact of vouchers and ESAs on local districts and to look for ways to strengthen public schools instead.
Trustees discussed how to label the legislation, whether to call it the Tennessee Education Freedom Act by its formal name and whether to include whereas clauses referencing the broader special‑session agenda. Several trustees said they were not opposed to the principle of parental choice but were concerned that voucher or ESA programs would divert limited taxpayer dollars and decrease public accountability.
A motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded. The transcript records the motion and second; a roll‑call vote was not recorded in the provided excerpt. Board counsel was asked to finalize and circulate a signed copy of the resolution the following morning.
After the board action, a representative of the Dickson County Education Association (DCEA) thanked the board for the resolution and urged continued public support for the district’s public schools.
NEXT STEPS: Board counsel will prepare the final signed resolution for distribution to legislative contacts and stakeholders; staff will use the resolution text to inform the district’s outreach to state legislators during the upcoming special session.
