White County Board of Education adopts resolution opposing state voucher bill

The White County Board of Education on Jan. 23 adopted a resolution opposing the 2025 Education Freedom Act (House Bill 1), the state's proposed voucher program, after a roughly hour-long public deliberation during a special-call meeting.

The board voted to approve the resolution by voice vote after discussion; Board Member Jason McDonald moved to adopt the draft and Board Member Mr. Smith seconded the motion. The board chair recorded the motion as passed after members responded "aye." The resolution will be signed by board members and shared with state legislators, district staff said.

Board members and the district director told the meeting that their primary concern is the proposed flow of state funds to private schools and the possible long-term effect on public-school budgets. "This is a bad thing for public education across our state," the district director said, adding that he was "not afraid of competition, but afraid of unfair competition." He and other speakers said the bill could reroute money away from public classrooms, especially over time.

Why it matters: Board members said the proposal could…