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Knox County school board declines to ask state to weigh waiver for Wilberforce Academy
Summary
After public comment and extended legal discussion, the Knox County Board of Education failed to pass two separate motions on a resolution asking the Tennessee Commissioner of Education to decide whether to waive rules for Wilberforce Academy, a proposed religious charter school; no formal request was sent to the commissioner.
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — On Feb. 5, 2026, the Knox County Board of Education debated a resolution asking Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lynsette Reynolds to decide whether to grant a waiver tied to a proposed religious public charter school, Wilberforce Academy. Two separate motions — one to postpone consideration and a subsequent motion to approve sending the request to the commissioner — failed during roll calls, and the board took no action to request a waiver.
A resident who spoke during the public forum, Lance McCold of Knox County, urged the board to "fulfill the promise" of its oath and oppose the waiver request. Reading the oath aloud, McCold said the proposal raised constitutional concerns and charged those backing the school were "radicals trying to upend our way of life and overturn the constitution." Those remarks were offered as public comment; board members did not vote on them.
Board legal counsel described the resolution as a narrowly focused legal step tied to ongoing litigation. Counsel told members the…
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