Nashville, Tennessee (WKRN) — Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) heads the Tennessee State Capitol’s Board of Education. That comes after his three appeal hearings with the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Board, an American affiliated with Hillsdale. It’s a role.
News 2 asked White if he thinks American classical education should be sanctioned in Tennessee.
“At this point, I don’t know much of the background to their application process, so I’m not really going to answer that,” he said. Any charter to the state is welcome.”
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Hillsdale has been the subject of controversy in recent months after President Larry Earne made offensive comments about a teacher in Tennessee in July. “Hillsdale’s hopes of being active in Tennessee will be dashed when the General Assembly convenes again next January,” he said.
On Monday, he took that comment back a bit.
“My comment was not against Hillsdale or anything. It was going to be very difficult if we brought up a bill to move forward,” White said.
Earn’s comments drew immediate backlash, but it might not make a difference if the State Charter Commission sided with American Classical. Governor Billy (Republican, Tennessee) appoints each member of his nine board of directors.
The idea that the board might accept each appeal worries the Tennessee Education Association.
“If they endorse any of these, they don’t consider our local school board at all,” said TEA president Tanya Coates.
She cites the fact that three local boards of education have rejected applications for American Classical, but as of the past two years, state licensing boards have the power to reverse those decisions. .
This is a frustrating idea for TEA, especially given Arnn’s comments.
“We know it’s the governor who appoints these commissions,” Coates said. “So he’s agreeing with Larry Earn for his brutal comments about Tennessees.”
The topic is divisive. However, White revealed his thoughts on the board when News2 spoke with him.
“I have great confidence in the Charter Board. The staff on it are doing a great job. They are dedicated to quality charter indicators and rubrics,” he said. rice field. “I also have a lot of confidence in the nine members of the committee. I know them all.”
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The Board will vote on the appeal at a special convened meeting on October 5 in Nashville.