Commission approves PowerSchool procurement, budgets, meeting dates and multiple policy and rule updates

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted on a series of administrative and policy items at its July 25, 2025 meeting, approving a student information system contract, budgets, meeting dates and multiple policy and rule changes.

The commission approved the annual procurement of PowerSchool, the commission's student information system. Commissioner Grisman moved the procurement and the motion carried on a voice vote; the chair announced, “The ayes have it. The procurement is approved.”

The commission also approved its proposed 2026 meeting dates, an amended fiscal year 2026 budget and a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget. Each item was moved and approved by voice vote. The chair announced the approval of the meeting dates and budgets after commissioners voted “aye.” No dissenting votes were recorded on those items.

On policy and rule matters, the commission adopted a series of LEA and commission policies and rule updates after committee consideration: - Adoption of the LEA policy consent agenda (including the wireless communication device prohibition to be codified as LEA policy 6301) was approved on first and final reading after committee recommendation. General Counsel Ashley Thomas described the provision as requiring commission-authorized charter schools “to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of any wireless communication device during instructional time,” with statutory exceptions and a requirement that schools publish the policy on their websites. - LEA policy 18‑01 (special education) was adopted on final reading after stakeholder input and edits to clarify the commission’s role in individualized education program (IEP) decisions and external…