Chattanooga community rallies together against School Voucher Proposal

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A day of deliberation regarding Governor Bill Lee’s controversial school voucher bill has continued to draw sharp criticism from education advocates.  The voucher program, a key component of Governor Lee’s education agenda, allows public tax dollars to fund private school tuition for select families. 

Directly extracted from the School Voucher proposal, “For the 2025-2026 school year, the department shall award a maximum of twenty thousand (20,000) scholarships, to be awarded as follows, in the order in which the department receives completed scholarship applications: 

Ten thousand (10,000) scholarships are available for eligible students who meet one of the following criteria: The student’s annual household income does not exceed three hundred percent (300%) of the amount required for the student to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, as provided in the income eligibility guidelines published by the United States department of agriculture’s food and nutrition service. 

or the student is an eligible student as defined in § 49-6-2602 or § 49-10-1402.”

“Ten thousand scholarships are available for eligible students, regardless of whether the eligible student meets one of the criteria listed in the above subdivisions.”

Supporters say it empowers parents with more choices for their children’s education. But critics argue that it drains essential resources from public schools, leaving the majority of Tennessee students—who rely on public education—at a disadvantage

Public schools across Tennessee serve nearly a million students, yet many are already underfunded and grappling with overcrowded classrooms, outdated materials, and staff shortages. 

Opponents of the voucher bill argue that diverting public funds to private institutions only deepens these challenges. Statewide, parents, teachers, and community members are mobilizing against the voucher bill. 

Governor Lee’s voucher bill has ignited a passionate debate about the role of public education in Tennessee and what it means to truly support every child’s right to a quality education. 

As the battle continues, communities across the state are making their voices heard, fighting to protect and improve the schools that serve their children. 

Be sure to stay tuned to our ongoing coverage of this critical issue and we will keep you updated as we learn more. You can read more on the bill by clicking here.