Governor Lee is actively advocating for the passage of a voucher bill among state legislators. His proposal for a universal private school voucher program is projected to impose an additional financial burden of $861.9 million on Tennessee taxpayers over the initial five years, based on conservative estimates. This initiative, which aims to provide vouchers for private schooling, would divert essential funding away from public schools, effectively benefiting out-of-state special interests and families currently enrolled in private institutions.
If the funds earmarked for the voucher program were instead allocated to public education, the education budget for each public school student in Tennessee could see an increase of nearly $893. This shift in funding priorities would have significant repercussions, particularly for local school districts. For instance, Giles County Schools is anticipated to face a loss of $3.1 million due to the implementation of the private school voucher plan. This substantial amount could otherwise support vital educational resources, such as TN ALL Corps tutoring services for 2,078 students and the salaries of 56 teachers annually.
In light of these potential impacts on public education, we encourage community members to voice their opinions and consider voting against the passage of this voucher initiative. The future of Tennessee’s public schools hangs in the balance, and it is crucial to advocate for the needs of all students within the public education system.