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Knox County school board adopts 'free education for all children' as a 2026 legislative priority after heated debate
Summary
After extended public comment and internal debate, the Knox County Board of Education voted 6–3 on Dec. 4 to adopt a legislative priority affirming the district’s support for free public education for all children amid discussion about state bills HB 0793 and SB 0836.
The Knox County Board of Education voted Dec. 4 to adopt a 2026 legislative priority affirming ‘‘free education for all children,’’ a move that followed more than an hour of public comment and spirited discussion among board members. The roll‑call vote ended 6–3 after several members who initially passed changed to yes during the tally.
Supporters in the public forum urged the board to take a clear stand against proposed Tennessee legislation they said would bar undocumented children from public schools. Ashley Garner, a Knox County parent and PTO leader, told the board, "If HB 793 passes, Knox County Schools are set to lose $3,800,000 of federal funding," and asked board members to oppose the bill on moral and…
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