The House Democratic Caucus called for Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynold to resign Monday morning, saying she doesn’t have the necessary qualifications and experience.
State law last updated decades ago requires that the Tennessee Department of Education’s commissioner “shall be a person of literary and scientific attainments and of skill and experience in school administration” and “shall also be qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority.”
House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, said an examination of Reynold’s background shows she doesn’t meet these requirements.
“She is legally unqualified to hold this position in the state of Tennessee,” said Clemmons. “The statute is clear, it’s neither vague nor optional, she fails to meet the clear statutory requirements. Again, her undergraduate students, her various bureaucratic positions and experience working for school privatization organizations fail to qualify her for any teaching job in Tennessee, much less the role of commissioner. Any attempt by Governor Bill Lee and his administration to argue otherwise is an embarrassing reflection of the rampant incompetence that plagues his entire administration.”
Governor Bill Lee appointed Reynolds to the role following the resignation of former Commissioner Penny Schwinn last year. Commissioner Reynolds has only been on the job for six months.
Prior to swearing in, Reynolds served as the Vice President of Policy for school reform organization ExcelinED and has previously served as the deputy legislative director for then-Governor George W. Bush, Special Assistant in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs for U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Regional Representative for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency.
Representative Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, joined Clemmons at a press conference to say if Reynolds doesn’t resign, he’s calling on the governor’s administration to appoint someone else within the next week.
“There are plenty of qualified people out there to lead this great education system we have. We’re trying to get better. We’re trying to improve education, we’re trying to increase funding, we’re trying to raise our test scores and means something when leadership is not qualified to serve in the position. This is simple. This is a simple fix. Either she resigns or the governor appoints someone else. That’s really all it comes down to,” said McKenzie.
It would appear the Governor does not plan to follow House Democrat’s demands to remove Commissioner Reynolds. Press Secretary Elizabeth Lane Johnson released a statement Monday afternoon expressing strong support for Reynolds’ qualifications to serve the state.
“Commissioner Reynolds’ credentials and professional experience qualify her to serve as TDOE commissioner and we’re proud of the work she’s doing to accelerate academic achievement and support all Tennessee students,” said the Governor’s Press Secretary Elizabeth Lane Johnson. “Additionally, though not explicitly required by statute, Commissioner Reynolds is currently enrolled in the UT Martin Education Preparation Program (EPP) to expand upon her previous experience.”
Governor Lee praised Commissioner Reynolds’ education policy experience and leadership after appointing her to the position. Since taking office she’s led implementation of the state’s new Third-Grade Retention Law along with the finalization of Tennessee’s School Letter Grades.
Calls for her resignation are coming right as the Tennessee General Assembly is poised to begin debating the Governor’s signature education policy proposal for the year. Governor Lee’s Education Scholarship Freedom Act would allow families across the state to utilize taxpayer dollars to attend private school if it passes.
