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Local teachers’ union warns board a state voucher bill would hurt rural schools
Summary
An Overton County Education Association representative told the board the governor's proposed voucher bill would harm rural districts by diverting public funds; the remarks were made during a recognition segment and no board action followed.
Jennifer Highlander, speaking for the Overton County Education Association, addressed the Overton County Board of Education during a special recognition segment on Dec. 10 and urged opposition to a proposed state voucher bill.
Highlander congratulated newly tenured teachers and then warned that the governor is “very much pushing a voucher bill.” She said voucher proposals that redirect public funding away from public schools would “really, really hurt even the rural schools,” and added that when funds are taken from public education “it hurts us just as bad as it hurts anybody else.”
Highlander asked board members and community supporters to help resist the proposed legislation. There was no formal motion or board action in response to the remarks during the meeting; Highlander’s comments were recorded as public comment and part of the recognition period.
The board did not debate or vote on vouchers during the session; any policy response would require a future agenda item or formal correspondence from the board.
