Jefferson County Board of Education adopts resolution opposing Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025

The Jefferson County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025, the board said during a special-called meeting. The board’s action came after a public comment period focused exclusively on the proposed state voucher program.

The resolution, read aloud at the meeting, says the Tennessee Constitution, Article 11, Section 12, requires the General Assembly to provide for “maintenance, support, and eligibility standards of the system of free public schools,” and argues the Education Freedom Scholarship Act would divert public funds to private schools and threaten local control. The resolution “expresses its opposition to the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025 and any future efforts to implement or expand voucher or ESA programs in Tennessee,” and urges the Tennessee General Assembly to prioritize public-school funding and teacher recruitment.

Members of the public urged the board to adopt the resolution during the meeting’s limited public-comment period. Resident David Seal told the board the bill’s fiscal note shows substantial costs, saying, “1st year cost to taxpayers, $347,000,000,” and characterizing the bill as a diversion of education dollars. Laura Millette, who identified herself as a Jefferson County resident, said, “This universal voucher bill will not improve education opportunities for Tennessee families, and it has nothing to do with freedom,” and warned the plan would create a “two-tiered education system” and could force local governments to make up lost school funding.

Reporter Ken Morton and other residents also urged the board to oppose vouchers, describing concerns that vouchers could further weaken local public schools and affect community decisions such as where professionals choose to live. The board read the resolution into the record, took a motion to adopt, and then voted. The board chair called for hands to be raised; the chair announced the tally as 7-0 in favor. The motion passed and the resolution was adopted.

The resolution notes that while the proposed legislation includes a temporary guarantee that local education agency (LEA) funding will not decrease due to student disenrollment, static funding does not account for rising operational costs and could undermine districts’ ability to sustain programs over time. The board’s text also says private schools receiving public funds under the proposal would not be subject to the same nondiscrimination and accountability protections as public schools in many cases.

The board signed and circulated the resolution following the vote. The board also moved to adjourn the special session after adopting the resolution.