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Candidate warns school vouchers would harm students with special needs
Summary
Lexi Melton, running for the Tennessee House (District 35), told the Trousdale County Board of Education she opposes school vouchers and warned private schools could exclude students who need IEPs, saying she took her concerns to a state representative’s office.
Lexi Melton, who said she is running for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 35, used public comment at the Trousdale County Board of Education meeting to warn that proposed school-voucher programs would harm students who require special education services.
"I got really upset about school vouchers…my son has speech and occupational therapy," Melton said, adding that private schools “will not be required to accept kids that have IEPs” and could set rules that exclude students with disabilities. She told the board she contacted a state representative and was told officials prioritize what’s "best for the state," a remark she said prompted her to run for office.
Melton said vouchers could allow private schools to set admission rules that leave some students behind and urged local officials to help protect public schools. She also said voucher legislation failed this session but expected it to return in future sessions.
Board members thanked Melton for speaking and offered to connect on local school issues. The board did not take any immediate action on vouchers at the meeting; Melton’s remarks were recorded during the public comment portion of the agenda.
