Board members say school choice program is leading to declining enrollments, athletes being recruited away from public schools
School board members, along with city, county, and state lawmakers at Thursday’s legislative luncheon at The Crossing Church.
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County school board members got a chance to voice what they want state legislators to focus on this year.
They discussed issues including testing reform, which several members say they wanted to see a reduction in.
Also, others called for state lawmakers to increase funding for school safety programs.
However, one area a few members focused on was the impact of the Education Freedom Scholarship.
Enacted by the state of Tennessee last year, this allows families across the state to apply for scholarships to attend a private school of their choice.
State lawmakers say this gives students and families more options for their education.
Some board members, including Chairman Joe Smith, suggested this program is being used not just to allow students to move, but to allow private school to obtain desirable athletes.
Smith said, “We’re losing our athletes if you don’t know that, and it’s all because of the voucher and the student savings program.”
School Board Chairman Joe Smith told lawmakers the story of a young athlete that he is the boxing coach for.
He says that a coach at a local private school, which he did not name, requested to visit his practice, where this exchange took place.
Smith said, “This coach from this private school came and he watched us work out for about an hour, and then the following week that kid ended up at that school. So, the only thing I worry about with our student savings account and with choice is that we’re losing our athletes.”
It is worth noting that unlike in college football, there is not a transfer portal for high school athletics.
However, the TSSAA approved a new transfer rule that went into effect this year that grants every athlete one penalty free transfer.
This means a student can transfer schools without having to sit out.
However, the TSSAA says that rule only applies if a student is transferring for academic, environmental, or for mental health reasons, and can’t state their reasoning is to play on a better team.
But other members say that they are seeing a drop in school attendance they believe is related to the school choice program.
Board member Gary Kuehn stated, “Four years ago, Central high school had 820-830 kids. As of Christmas break, they only had 574.”
He went on to say Brown Middle School has fallen to below 300 students.
The issue of retaining coaches and fine art teachers also came up, as school board member Steve Slater says that other counties are able to pay more.
He suggested state lawmakers look to reallocate funding from the Tennessee Lottery, which currently funds the HOPE Scholarship.
Slater said, “20% of the HOPE scholarship people drop out after one year, 20%. How much money would that be if it were passed down to athletic coaching stipends, band directors? Stuff like that.
The Tennessee general assembly reconvene next Tuesday, January 13 in Nashville.
