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Parent urges board to press state lawmakers after IEA/ABLE change cited in House Bill 2533
Summary
A Wilson County parent told the board Section 53 of House Bill 2533 would prevent IEA funds from being routed to ABLE accounts and limit purchases for severely disabled children, urging lawmakers to remove the new ABLE-related terms; she said the change would shift vouchers to a restricted debit-card model and leave families with fewer choices.
Julie Curtis, a parent and long-time IEA advisory council member, told the board she represents nearly 1,000 Tennessee children who rely on IEA funds and warned that House Bill 2533 (section 53) would eliminate the ability to send IEA vouchers to ABLE accounts.
"House Bill 25,33 will wipe out my kids' education and many more," Curtis said, describing how the proposed change would move IEA disbursements away from ABLE accounts and toward a limited IEA debit card she said cannot pay for many services her children rely on, including private specialized schools, tutors and curriculum that are not part of an approved vendor list.
Curtis recounted calls with legislators who told her they were unaware of the impact of the single paragraph she cited; she said one senator she spoke to was "horrified" after learning how the change would affect severely disabled students. A board member and other attendees expressed sympathy and said they wanted legislators to consult disability advocates before voting on technical changes with broad effects.
Why it matters: Parents say the change would restrict options for students with significant needs by limiting allowable expenses and the types of providers that can be paid. Board members encouraged parents to contact state legislators and said the district will pass along the testimony.
Next steps: Members urged constituents to contact elected representatives and indicated the board would record the testimony and release it to interested parties.
