SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — The school voucher initiative that could radically change education in the state of Tennessee cleared more hurdles in Nashville this week, nearing close to reality. Key stakeholders involved with education in Shelby County are concerned about its potential impacts moving forward.
“It’s a tactic to destabilize the public system even more,” said Keith Williams, executive director of the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association.
The new school voucher initiative would create a program this fall with 20,000 lower-income students across the state who could use taxpayer funding to attend private school. Gov. Bill Lee eventually wants the program opened up to every K-12 family regardless of income level.
“Is it fair for me to pay taxes for school systems in this state, to then pay for someone else to use my money to pay for what they consider to be a better education? Williams asked. "I don't know that is fair. I don’t see it as being fair."
Tennessee State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, a Shelby County Democrat, spoke out strongly against the legislation in Nashville this week. As versions in the House and Senate moved out of committee and close to a vote, he warns Tennesseans in favor of school choice aren’t getting what they think they’re being sold.
“Parents don't actually get that choice," Parkinson said. "It's the schools that get to decide whether a child is accepted in that school or not. There’s a bit of a bait and switch.”
Despite all the potential changes, Williams isn’t worried.
“I do know one thing," he said. "We’re going to have our public education system, and it's going to be sustained by the citizens of this community.”