Hillsdale-linked charter school plans draw Tennesseans’ ire

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Most Tennesseans who wrote to the state regarding three proposed charter schools linked to Michigan’s Hillsdale College expressed opposition to the applications from the charter network, American Classical Education.

More than 70% of public commenters statewide supported local school boards in Madison, Montgomery, and Rutherford counties that voted to deny the charter applications. Many Tennesseans also voiced concerns that any decision by a state panel to overrule those local rejections would constitute government overreach.

Chalkbeat analyzed nearly 400 written comments, which contrasted with the positions of most of the 39 people who spoke during last week’s public hearings in the three affected districts. In-person speakers were chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, with many slots filled by American Classical supporters. Opponents complained that the process skewed toward approving the applications.

In Rutherford County, all 13 commenters at a Sept. 14 hearing in Murfreesboro spoke in favor of the charter proposal, but written comments submitted by county residents opposed the school by a margin of more than 4 to 1. The margins were tighter in Jackson-Madison and Clarksville-Montgomery counties.

Tess Stovall, Executive Director of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, said all feedback—both oral and written—would be considered when the commission votes on October 5 to approve or deny each American Classical application.

“We weigh all comments the same, oral or written,” Stovall told reporters after the Rutherford County hearing. “Some people can’t necessarily get here in person, so that’s why we offer multiple avenues.”

The upcoming votes will test the independence of the commission’s nine members, all of whom were appointed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. Lee has expressed support for 50 Hillsdale-linked charters in Tennessee and lobbied for a 2019 law creating the commission to handle such appeals.

Both Lee and Hillsdale College have faced sharp criticism in Tennessee since June when a leaked video showed the governor sitting quietly as Hillsdale President Larry Arnn said teachers are “trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country.” Lee has not disavowed Arnn’s remarks or cut ties with the conservative Christian college.

Hillsdale’s approach to civics education and its 1776 curriculum—which glorifies the nation's founders and downplays the role of slavery—has also drawn criticism.

Rebecca Oldham, a parent and assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University, voiced strong opposition in written comments: “I do not support an establishment in Murfreesboro that collaborates with [Arnn] or his college, nor utilizes his propaganda that masquerades as ‘curriculum.’”

Patricia Craig, an 85-year-old history student from Madison County, worried about Hillsdale’s selective view of history, writing: “This is a veiled attempt to present curriculum that further crushes poorer children and children of color.”

Supporters, however, praised the classical education model, which emphasizes math, science, literature, and history, along with Latin, music, and the arts. Some believed it would offer families more public school choices, especially in underserved areas.

“Why not give this program a try?” wrote Peg Ramsay from Jackson. “Madison County has gone through several superintendents with little academic success.”

Others believed the charter schools would add competition to public education and alleviate overcrowding.

Opponents, however, argued that local control over education should be the priority. All three affected school boards voted overwhelmingly to reject the Hillsdale group’s applications.

“The issue concerning a charter school within Rutherford County is not about school choice but rather lack of ownership of our schools,” said Laura Roland, a teacher at Central Magnet School.

Many opponents also noted that American Classical’s applications lacked concrete plans for serving students with disabilities.

The commission’s staff is using state-developed scoring criteria to determine whether the applications meet Tennessee’s standards for academics, operations, and finances, as well as whether they are in the best interests of students and their communities. Public support is a key factor in that decision-making process.

To read all the public comments, visit the commission’s website.

Marta W. Aldrich is a senior correspondent and covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at maldrich@chalkbeat.orgChalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.