Kingsport BOE officially opposes Governor Lee’s voucher plan

The Kingsport Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution opposing Governor Bill Lee’s proposed school voucher plan with some members criticizing alleged “political posturing” and “extortion.” The resolution was approved in a 4–0 vote during the board’s Tuesday night meeting. The governor’s proposed Education Freedom Scholarship Act would expand the state’s school voucher program to all 95 counties. The program provides vouchers to families to cover at least some of the cost of sending their children to private schools. The controversial proposal failed to pass in the General Assembly last year but a new version was introduced for the new legislative session that began Tuesday. Some officials have taken issue with the letter because it mentions “the inclusion of disaster relief” with some calling it “political extortion” to condition disaster aid to gain support for the voucher program.