Tennessee ELA standards committee elects chair and vice chair; staff reviews open-meeting, public-record rules

The Tennessee State Board of Education's English Language Arts Standards Recommendation Committee convened electronically at 9 a.m. Central on Aug. 25, 2025, elected Larry Kernagas as chair and Lucas Hilliard as vice chair, and heard staff legal guidance on Tennessee's open-meetings and public-record laws, Common Core restrictions and the state's statute on "prohibited concepts."

The committee, charged with reviewing and recommending K-12 ELA standards to the State Board of Education, also heard that members will receive stipends and was briefed on how public comment, communications and document handling must be conducted during the committee's work.

Why it matters: The committee's recommendations go to the State Board of Education and could shape ELA expectations for districts across Tennessee. The legal and procedural guidance staff provided clarifies what committee members may discuss outside public meetings and what records are subject to public inspection, which could affect how members gather input and edit draft standards.

Committee organization and formal votes - Chair: Larry Kernagas was nominated and elected. The roll call recorded eight votes in favor and Kernagas accepted the position, saying, "I do. Absolutely. Thank you." (Election recorded by committee roll call.) - Vice chair: Lucas Hilliard and Lacey Nao were nominated. The committee voted by roll call; Hilliard received five votes and Nao three. Hilliard accepted the role. - Minutes: The committee adopted a motion that the meeting recording serve as the minutes; the second was recorded (Britney Singletary) and the motion passed on an 8-0 roll-call vote.

Staff announcements and operational details Nathan James, a member of the State Board staff, told members that the committee has funds to provide stipends: "we've we've got, enough money in the budget that, all the members of of this committee, will be receiving at least a thousand dollar stipend. Your chair and vice chair, will get a $1,500 stipend." Staff also reviewed the committee's immediate schedule: a virtual meeting on Sept. 5, preparatory materials in the shared drive, and several in-person workdays in Nashville where the committee will review standards cornerstones and prepare a final recommendation for the State Board. Members were reminded to submit a short reflection document by the end of Sept. 5 and to prepare three-minute summaries for the in-person workday.

Open meetings, public records and statutory limits Rachel Soupey, general counsel for the State Board, led a detailed legal briefing. Key points she summarized: - The committee meets the statutory definition of a governing body and its convenings are public under the Tennessee Open Meetings Act. Soupey said the statutory definition of deliberation is important to remember: "to examine and consult in order to form an opinion, to weigh arguments for and against the proposed course of action." - Members were reminded that chance encounters, email threads, text messages or private meetings used to deliberate committee business can violate the Open Meetings Act. Soupey's guidance repeatedly urged members to "err on the side of caution" and to route procedural questions to staff when unsure. - Public comment: For working days when the committee will take actionable steps, the committee must reserve public comment for speakers who sign up in advance; the chair determines whether a comment is germane. Written comments submitted in advance will be provided to members. - Public records: Soupey reviewed Tennessee's public-records law and said that emails, text messages, draft documents and other records created or received in connection with official business are likely subject to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law (for example, certain student records or security-sensitive information). Soupey warned that personal devices do not exclude texts or emails from public-records obligations if they discuss official business.

Statutory context flagged for members Staff spelled out several statutes and laws members must consider while drafting recommendations, including the Tennessee Open Meetings Act and a cited provision governing committee composition and duties (referenced as "49-1-312" in staff slides). Soupey also reviewed: - Tennessee's prohibition on adopting materials that "align exclusively with the Common Core State Standards" and related department waiver procedures; and - The 2021 statute listing "prohibited concepts" that may not be promoted in instruction, which enumerates a set of prohibited framings to be avoided in instructional materials and classroom practice.

How members were advised to work Staff reiterated that the committee can gather stakeholder views from the public, but committee deliberations that would form opinions or weigh arguments must occur on the record, during noticed meetings. Members were reminded they may speak as private citizens but cannot present themselves as speaking for the committee outside of formal committee action. Josh Walton (communications) and other staff said they are available to help members respond to media requests and to handle logistical questions.

What the committee recorded and next steps The committee was organized and will meet next virtually on Sept. 5, 2025. Members were instructed to complete preparatory documents in the shared drive and to be prepared for in-person workdays in Nashville where they will review standards text and redline edits. The committee's final recommendation will be forwarded to the State Board of Education, which may adopt, reject or make technical, non-substantive revisions before final reading.

Ending After concluding the legal briefing and scheduling, the committee adjourned and will reconvene for scheduled virtual and in-person work sessions in early September.