Governor Lee says he still supports Trump even though the former president called him a ‘RINO’
Despite being called a "RINO" by former President Donald Trump, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has reaffirmed his support for Trump and his 2024 presidential campaign.
Rep. Scott Cepicky calls Governor Lee’s voucher bill “terrible” despite receiving his endorsement in next month’s primary
Rep. Scott Cepicky calls Governor Lee’s voucher bill “terrible” despite receiving his endorsement in next month’s primary.
Democrats attack Governor Lee’s claim that school choice is the “civil rights issue of our time” as offensive
Tuesday Governor Bill Lee took his ongoing push for universal school choice to the biggest stage yet.
Governor Lee makes case for universal school choice to sometimes skeptical Nashville business leaders
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee made the case Monday for his plan to let parents use taxpayer dollars to send their kids to private school to a group of business leaders who aren’t necessarily supportive.
Tennessee's Education Department is getting a new Chief Program Officer
The Tennessee Department of Education has appointed Jonathan Criswell as Chief Program Officer, where he will lead school improvement efforts and key programming initiatives across the state.
Air Force Captain Jason Emert makes school choice a key part of his State House campaign
East Tennessee House candidate Jason Emert has a very personal reason for supporting Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice plan to let families use public dollars to send their children to private school.
GOP Senate Challenger Bobby Harshbarger sides with Democrats in opposing Governor Lee’s universal school choice plan
Few issues have united Tennessee Democrats more this year their opposition to Governor Bill Lee’s plan to let families across the state use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private school. That opposition now has company in East Tennessee from across the aisle.
School voucher voter polls vary wildly in Tennessee as many legislative candidates skirt the issue
While Gov. Bill Lee’s universal school voucher proposal is clearly a key issue this election year, there is less agreement on where Tennessee voters stand on the contentious education policy, incentivizing many state legislative candidates to avoid discussing the matter.
Governor Lee endorses conservate school board member Aron Maberry in a State House race in Montgomery County
Governor Bill Lee is stepping into a House primary race to help ensure the seat remains supportive of his school choice proposals.On Thursday Lee announced the endorsement of Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board member Aron Maberry in the House District 68 Republican Primary.
Governor Lee endorses conservative Jason Emert in open East Tennessee House race
In April Tennessee Governor Bill Lee promised to bring his plan to let parents use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private school back next year, and this week he’s taking a new step to help it pass.The governor announced his endorsement of Blount County attorney Jason Emert in the House District 20 race. Emert is facing county commissioners Tom Stinnett and Nick Bright in the August Republican primary.
Tennessee launches $194M in K-12 school safety grants
Tennessee has begun its process of accepting applications for $194 million in school safety grants after Gov. Bill Lee signed a $230 million school security bill in early May.The largest portion of the grants are $140 million toward full-time school resource officers at Tennessee schools. The grants will pay up to $75,000 a year for an officer. Local law enforcement agencies are asked to apply for the grants, which will be reviewed by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security on a rolling basis.
Lessons learned from the pandemic continue to guide Tennessee school strategy this summer
This month school districts across the state are continuing a learning strategy that saw success during the pandemic.Summer learning camps played a valuable role in 2021 and in 2022 helping Tennessee students regain ground they lost during virtual learning. Education leaders considered the camps such a success, the Tennessee General Assembly made them permanent with legislation this year.
Tennessee Education Association files lawsuit that could delay teacher raises
The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) filed a legal challenge this week that could delay recently passed teacher raises.The TEA’s lawsuit challenges a provision of the “Teacher Paycheck Protection Act” Governor Lee signed last month. The legislation is set to raise the minimum teacher salary to $42,000 in July, but the TEA is objecting to a section that also prevents unions like it from deducting dues from teacher paychecks.
Governor Lee signs bill allowing Hamilton County families to use taxpayer money to attend private schools
Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that he’s signed legislation to expand the Education Savings Account to Hamilton County.
House subcommittee advances Governor Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries
The House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee advanced Governor Bill Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries without debate or even discussion Wednesday afternoon.The plan would increase teacher salaries to at least $42,000 next school year, $44,500 for the 2024/2025 school year, $47,000 for the 2025/2026 school year, and $50 thousand for the 2026/2027 school year.
Senate passes Governor Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries
Tennessee Senators passed Governor Bill Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries on a partisan 25 to 6 vote Thursday.The plan would raise teacher salaries to at least $42,000 next school year, $44,500 for the 2024/2025 school year, $47,000 for the 2025/2026 school year, and $50 thousand for the 2026/2027 school year.