Knox County board adopts 2025 legislative priorities after hearing public opposition to vouchers

The Knox County Board of Education voted to adopt its 2025 legislative priorities as presented at its Jan. 9 meeting after a public forum in which multiple speakers urged the board to oppose voucher programs and the diversion of public funds to private schools.

Public forum speakers told trustees the board should prioritize fully funding public schools and resist state proposals that would direct public dollars to private or religious schools. Paula Hancock, who identified herself as a Knox County resident and longtime educator, said, “Funding is the key,” and argued that vouchers “harm public schools” by diverting scarce public resources away from schools that serve most students. Several other speakers — including Aaron Christner, Brandy Jenkins (reading a letter from State Representative Sam McKenzie), Ryan Beatty and Christiana Anton — similarly urged the board to oppose voucher and school-choice measures and to focus state advocacy on increased funding and supports for public schools and…