Image of dollar bills and the Grundy County Schools logo (Photo by Pixabay/Pexels)¶
Last summer, Grundy County teachers became the only educators in the state who didn’t receive a $2,300 bonus.¶
The money was included in the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, but school districts needed to approve a resolution accepting the funds. The Grundy County School Board said no, in part because of fears the program would cause children to leave the district.¶
The Education Freedom Scholarship, frequently called vouchers, allows parents to use taxpayer dollars for private school expenses.¶
Board members reversed that decision in June, following criticism from teachers and the resignation of one board member, but the move just missed the deadline for teachers to receive their bonus.¶
Legislative Remedy¶
Representative Rush Bricken, R-Tullahoma, filed legislation to remedy the situation and allow Grundy County teachers to receive their bonus this year. ¶
“The money is still administered by the Board of Education, so there’s no fiscal note for it. I’m asking you all to kind of forgive Grundy County and let those teachers get their bonus,” said Bricken in Tuesday’s House K-12 Subcommittee.¶
Bricken’s legislation unanimously advanced to the House Education Committee for a vote that could happen as early as next week.¶
A companion bill unanimously advanced out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday afternoon.¶
“The teachers should not lose their bonus because of that administrative gap,” said Senator Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma.¶
