RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-109

A resolution supporting the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education’s decision to oppose state legislation that would provide vouchers to pay for private school tuition.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education has the responsibility for providing a free public education to all students in Nashville and Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education relies on state and local funding to provide a quality education for our children; and

WHEREAS, legislation is currently pending in the Tennessee General Assembly to establish a voucher program that would allow public education funding to be used to pay for private school tuition in certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, the public school system is required to educate all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, language barriers, or special learning needs; and

WHEREAS, vouchers would act as a drain on much needed resources for our public schools and would allow funds to go to private institutions that have the ability to selectively choose which students to admit; and

WHEREAS, on October 25, 2011, the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education adopted a resolution by a vote of 8-0 opposing vouchers to fund private school tuition; and

WHEREAS, although the Metropolitan Council and the Board of Education have different roles regarding the education of children, we desire to work cooperatively to make decisions that are in the best interest of the children of this city as well as the taxpayers that fund the public school system; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council show its support for the Board of Education’s decision to oppose school vouchers.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as supporting the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education’s decision to oppose state legislation that would provide vouchers to pay for private school tuition.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Dr. Jesse Register and to each member of the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Karen Johnson, Lonnell Matthews, Fabian Bedne, Anthony Davis, Peter Westerholm, Erica Gilmore, Frank Harrison, Walter Hunt, Bo Mitchell, Jason Potts, Sean McGuire, Chris Harmon, Davette Blalock, Burkley Allen, Sandra Moore, Tony Tenpenny, Steve Glover, Bruce Stanley, Phil Claiborne, Darren Jernigan, Doug Pardue, Bill Pridemore, Scott Davis, Megan Barry, Ronnie Steine, Jerry Maynard, Edith Taylor Langster

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Education Committee
Introduced:	December 6, 2011
Adopted:	December 6, 2011
Approved:	December 12, 2011
By: