On Jan. 23, the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education called a meeting to discuss a bill promoted by governor Bill Lee regarding the Education Freedom Scholarship Act. The bill—originally proposed in 2019 and now reintroduced in 2025—proposes the state government set aside $144 billion dollars to offer scholarships for students currently enrolled in public schools to attend private schools.
The bill hopes to provide parents with school choice by providing vouchers for kids attending public school to attend private school through a state-operated program. Each of the 20,000 vouchers awarded would provide individual students with approximately $7,000 dollars each.
Critics of the bill feel it would directly take away from the funding of public schools without the assurance of a better education, considering private schools are generally not required to administer state-mandated testing. Plus, private school students are only required to take one government regulated test before graduation.
“There’s no way to [provide the vouchers] as well and keep the school district of those students whole,” said Chairman Eric Cuddy.
Some states that are currently implementing voucher programs, such as Arizona, have seen a raise in the price of vouchers as much as three times the original proposition.
The additional cost has continued to take away from the funding of public education in these states, and likely would in Tennessee as well. With lowered funding, some are worried Bristol Tennessee City schools could not function as well or provide as many opportunities as students are currently presented with.
“Even though Tennessee is not Arkansas or Nebraska, it would be fiscally irresponsible to not at least consider the financial hardship [that] voucher programs have put on their schools,” said Vice-chair Jim Butcher.
However, supporters of the bill believe that it could benefit public education. Supporters feel that vouchers will provide parents with more options regarding school choice and their child’s education.
Also, some feel the teacher bonuses and construction funds attached to the bill will greatly impact the lives of many.
Jennifer Henson, a member of the BTCS school board, is among those in support.
“I feel like this bill is more money for public education,” Henson said.
Henson trusts elected leaders to do as they have promised and support public education.
“I’m going to believe that the positives will outweigh the negatives.” Henson said.
However, only 3,000 to 4,000 open slots even exist in Tennessee private schools. For these reasons, some are calling vouchers “scholarships” for students who can already afford private schools. Additionally, the cost of tuition for many private schools far exceeds the $7,000 allotted.
Along with refunding pre enrolled families, the bill aims to also help other students financially. The first 10,000 of these 20,000 vouchers would be allocated to students from lower income families and students with disabilities to aid in tuition costs. However, it is important to note that private schools are not required to accept students with disabilities.
Along with the vouchers themselves, teacher bonuses and Hurricane Helene relief funds are attached to the proposal, meaning that teachers would not receive bonuses and relief funds would not be distributed if the voucher bill is not passed. The amendment requires school districts to adopt a resolution stating that they plan on participating in the voucher program in order for teachers to receive that one-time bonus.
Ultimately, the Bristol Tennessee City School board voted 3-2 in opposition of the bill and sent a letter to the state regarding their opposition.
“Bristol Tennessee City Schools serves a diverse student body with programs and resources designed to meet the unique, individual needs of all students,” the letter says. “[This includes] those from economically disadvantaged households, students with disabilities, and English learners.”
Given that Bristol already provides students with equal opportunities through their diversity and ability to meet unique needs, as cited in the opposition letter, and school choice through county schools, online schools, and homeschooling, the school board doesn’t feel that this bill would benefit our school system, or the state.
The Education Freedom Act plans to draw money to provide vouchers from lottery and sports betting revenue. Currently, this revenue goes towards the HOPE Scholarship, which helps Tennessee students attend in-state colleges. Given that the funds for the scholarship would be shared with the EFA, college bound students could lose scholarship funding.
“The Bristol Tennessee Board of Education calls on stakeholders and policymakers,” the letter says, “to support public education as a cornerstone of democracy and a vital foundation for the future of Tennessee.”
You can view the letter in its entirety here.
