Tennessee council approves 51 Purple Star Schools, highlights outreach and training for military children

Diana McLaughlin, the state commissioner designated by the governor and chair of Tennessee’s Military Interstate Children’s Compact council, opened the meeting by describing the compact as “a state law … the rule book for how educational transfers of military children, K through 12, in a public school system or a publicly identified charter school are handled.”

The council voted by voice to approve 51 Purple Star School awardees. The motion to approve the full slate was made by Dr. Ted Horrell and seconded by Dr. Catherine Stevens; no roll-call tally was recorded on the transcript and the motion was accepted by majority voice vote. After the vote, council staff said banners and governor certificates will be shipped to schools and that visits this year will be limited because of a tight State Board of Education budget.

Why it matters: Purple Star School designation identifies school buildings that show demonstrated supports for military children, including a trained point of contact at the school and school-level resources. Council members said the award reduces the number of issues that escalate into formal compact cases…