The Blount County Board of Education on Jan. 9 unanimously approved an amended resolution opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act and similar proposals that would direct public K-12 dollars to private schools.

Board members debated wording and scope before approving edits that clarified the resolution's target and removed language several members found vague or potentially objectionable. The final motion, as adopted, urges the Tennessee General Assembly to reject the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025 or similar initiatives that "would divert public dollars away from K-12 public schools for private use."

Why it matters: The resolution signals the board's public position to state legislators on proposed state-level voucher legislation that, according to public commenters and board members, could shift local funding away from public schools.

Public comments and rationale
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, speakers urged the board to oppose vouchers. Daniel Taddy (District 3) and Jenny Ayers (Maryville resident) argued the measure would divert public funds, reduce fiscal and academic accountability, and disproportionately benefit wealthier families who already use private schools. Daniel Taddy repeatedly urged the board to "follow the money." Dustin Park (District 5), who said he has a son with Down syndrome, said voucher programs can require parents to waive federal due-process rights and argued they would harm students with disabilities.

Board discussion and amendments
Board member Erica Moore and other members proposed and supported edits to the draft resolution to make its language more specific and to remove sections the board considered extraneous or ambiguous (members proposed removing numbered provisions cited as 9, 10 and 11 in an earlier draft). The board also replaced a general title with one explicitly opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act. The board agreed to use language from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) sample resolution where appropriate.

Vote and outcome
Board members voted by roll call to adopt the amended resolution. Multiple members recorded affirmative votes during the roll call; the motion carried. After the vote, Rebecca, representing the Blount County Education Association, thanked the board for passing the resolution and for refining its language.

Ending
Board members said the adopted resolution will be shared with state legislators and serves as an official statement of the board's opposition to voucher proposals that would divert public tax dollars from public schools.