The Carter County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, saying the board believes the proposal would divert public funds from local public schools.

The resolution, read into the record by the board chair, cites Article 11, Section 12 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and states that "Carter County Schools is charged to provide a free and appropriate education for all students" and that private institutions receiving public funds should meet the same academic and financial transparency and accountability standards as public schools. The board's resolution "strongly urges the Tennessee General Assembly to reject such legislation and or any other similar vouchers or educational savings account legislation that would divert public dollars away from public schools," it says.

Why it matters: Board members said the change would reduce funding available for locally run programs including career and technical education, arts and athletics. "This is for the kids...it's all about the kids, and we need to try our best to lobby and make sure this doesn't go through," Board member Danny Ward said during the discussion. Ward urged residents to contact their state representatives; he cited potential impacts on local tax base and school programming.

Board members voiced broad support for the resolution during a short discussion before the roll call. After the vote, CCEA representative Miss Nave thanked the board, saying she appreciated the district's stance against the voucher bill.

The board did not attach specific fiscal estimates to the resolution, and the document urges the legislature to reject the proposal rather than prescribing local budget actions.

Votes at a glance: The motion to adopt the resolution passed with board members recorded as voting yes: Renee Lewis; Tony Garland; Dylan Hill; Gary Oates; Jeremiah Tolley; Danny Ward; and Keith Bowers. No no-votes or formal abstentions were recorded in the roll call.