Elizabethton board approves three vans, updates retention policy and adopts resolution opposing state voucher bill

Elizabethton — The Elizabethton Board of Education on its January meeting voted to buy three 2025 Toyota Sienna minivans, approved updated language in board policy 4.603 on student promotion and retention to reflect a new state statute, and unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the state’s proposed Educational Freedom Scholarship Act.

Director Van Huss, speaking to the board, said the three hybrid vans would give the district more flexible, economical options for transporting small student groups and reduce the need to rent vehicles or rely on drivers with commercial licenses. “We had money in the budget to purchase another school bus. But in talking with Mr. Hutchins Transportation and Ms. Wilson, we made a decision to ask you to consider allowing us to purchase these 2 vans in place of that bus,” Van Huss said, adding the vans get “great gas mileage.”

The vote came after the board’s first reading of updated board policy 4.603, Promotion and Retention. Van Huss said the edits mirror a new statute the Tennessee General Assembly passed last year and related State Board rules governing parental requests to retain kindergarten through second-grade students. Under the change, Van Huss said, a parent who requests retention must put that request in writing within 30 days of the school year’s last day.

On the Educational Freedom Scholarship Act — a voucher-style proposal under consideration at the state level — the board adopted a resolution opposing the bill. Director Van Huss framed his opposition in his role as a public-school advocate: “In no way, shape, or form can my role be in favor of taking taxpayer dollars that could benefit our students and have that diverted to private schools,” he said. Other board members echoed concerns about long-term impacts on public funding and accountability standards.

Votes at a glance

- Approve purchase of two 2025 Toyota Sienna vans (general funds): motion approved. Purchase uses government contract pricing, not to exceed $40,511 per vehicle; funding source: general funds.

- Approve purchase of one 2025 Toyota Sienna van (ISM grant): motion approved. Purchase uses government contract pricing, not to exceed $40,511; funding source: ISM grant (career and technical education grant).

- Approve first reading of board policy 4.603, Promotion and Retention (to align with a new state statute and State Board rules): motion approved.

- Approve resolution opposing the Educational Freedom Scholarship Act: motion approved.

What the board approved and why

The three minivans are all 2025 Toyota Sienna hybrid models sourced through Roberts Motor Company using government contract pricing. Van Huss said the district previously bought three vans as a test, including one equipped with a wheelchair ramp, and found the vehicles useful for transporting small groups, supporting homeless students and CTE activities, and avoiding rental costs when a full bus was unnecessary. Two vans will be paid from general funds; one will be paid from ISM grant funds, Van Huss said.

Policy 4.603 was updated to reflect a recently passed state statute and implementing State Board rules that set procedures for parents or guardians requesting retention for students in kindergarten through second grade. Van Huss summarized the procedural change: the parent must submit the retention request in writing within 30 days of the last day of school.

Board members said the Educational Freedom Scholarship Act raises concerns about diverting public dollars to private schools and the lack of comparable accountability measures for private providers. The resolution opposing the bill passed with no recorded opposition.

Implementation and next steps

Purchases: The vans were approved for procurement; funding sources were specified at the meeting: two from general funds and one from the ISM grant. The district will complete procurement through Roberts Motor Company under government contract pricing.

Policy: The policy language was approved on first reading to align with state statute and State Board rules; additional procedural steps (final adoption) will follow the district’s policy-adoption process.

Resolution: The board will communicate its opposition to the voucher-style proposal as adopted in the resolution.

— Ending: The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the MacPierce boardroom.