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Board approves charter school review team as members debate new state law allowing county‑authorized charters to operate within city limits

Murfreesboro City School Board · December 10, 2025
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Summary

Board members approved the 2026 charter school review team but engaged in lengthy discussion about Public Chapter 5/18, a state law change that can allow county‑authorized charter schools to operate in city school zones if they can show a legitimate need for space.

The Murfreesboro City School Board voted Dec. 9 to approve its 2026 charter school review team while discussing recent state statutory changes that could alter which bodies authorize charter schools.

Dr. Duke reminded the board that Board Policy 1.901 requires a board‑appointed review team to review charter school applications. He asked Miss Bush to summarize changes in the law (Public Chapter 5/18), which were intended to allow an existing county‑authorized charter school to operate a facility within a city's geographic boundaries if the charter school can demonstrate a legitimate need for additional space.

Miss Bush explained the change and said that a county‑authorized charter school does not necessarily need city school board approval to operate inside city limits if it demonstrates a need for additional facilities. "A public charter school… that has been authorized by the county doesn't need to go through the city, or the city school board for approval as an authorizer, it can choose to operate within the city school system within the geographical boundaries," she said.

Board members expressed concern that the law could reduce the city's oversight over schools physically located in Murfreesboro. Mr. Richardson described the change as an "abrogation" of the city's role and called it "state overreach." Other members asked who evaluates whether a charter's need for space is legitimate; Miss Bush said the decision is between the charter school and its authorizer (often the county) and that authorizing agreements typically include notice and addenda about location changes.

Board members agreed to keep monitoring how the law unfolds. The board approved the recommended charter school review team by voice vote; no charter‑school letters of intent had been filed with the district by the Dec. 3 deadline, the administrators said.

The discussion clarifies which entities hold authorizing authority and the limits of city oversight when charter schools are authorized by another body. The board will continue to monitor how county and state authorizing activity affects the district.