by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“Public education is a property right and can’t be taken away without due process,” insisted board member Sara Liechty, at the March 10 Franklin County School Board meeting. The board passed two resolutions addressing legislation soon to come before the Tennessee legislature for a vote, a resolution approving proposed legislation (SB 679/HB 401) providing funding for “pre-kindergarten students with special education needs” and a resolution opposing legislation (HB 0793/SB 0836) that would allow public schools “to refuse to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States.”

The resolution opposing HB 0793/SB 0836 argues “The Constitution of the United States includes the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause, which through court cases has been shown to include public education as a property right (5th Amendment) for all.” The resolution also cites the Tennessee Department of Education’s website’s commitment “to the belief that children from all backgrounds can succeed when given the opportunities they deserve.”

“Every student of ours is granted the opportunity to achieve their potential,” said board member Sandy Shultz in support of the resolution. Board member Erik Cole voted against adopting the resolution.

The resolution supporting SB 679/HB 401 pointed out the education of preschool students with special needs “was completely unfunded by TISA,” the state funding mechanism, even though public schools are required by federal law to provide for these students’ education. The resolution went on to state “many of the children in these classes require extra therapies like speech and occupational therapy” and “the Franklin County school system is, therefore, required by federal law and state guidelines to pay for four classroom teachers and four teacher assistants.” Passing SB 679/HB 401 “would satisfactorily remedy this issue.”

The board also discussed other proposed bills the legislature will take up this spring. Commenting on proposed legislation which “reduces the amount of state-mandated assessments for students,” Director of Schools Cary Holman said, “What do they mean by the word ‘reduce’? Are they going to take the tests completely away, reduce the number of test questions asked, or reduce the time a student has to take the test?” Holman also took issue with legislation which “increases, from 130 minutes per full school week to 60 minutes per school day, the minimum amount of physical activity required for elementary school students.” “If you look at what’s required [academically], how are you going to get 300 minutes per week in on top of math and a 90-minute reading block?” Holman asked. “It’s impossible.” Concurring, Shultz said, “They don’t see the real picture. It takes 10 minutes to get them to the playground and back.”

Liechty also brought attention to discussion at the federal level about dismantling the Department of Education and reducing grants and federal funding. “We could lose thousands of teachers in Tennessee,” Liechty observed.

During the comment period, the board heard from Douglas Malin, administrator at Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester (ERHNC). Beginning this year, ERHNC will offer an annual $25,000 scholarship to a Franklin County High School student pursuing a career in the medical field. “We feel it is important we give back to the community,” Malin said. “It is a very difficult time for staffing in health care facilities,” he added, stressing the employment opportunities available. The scholarship, awarded over a four-year period, would go directly to the educational institution, providing $3,125 per semester. Applicants are required to have a 2.7 grade point average and to complete a FASFA federal student aid application. Scholarship applications, due April 1, are available from high school guidance offices, by phoning the Elk River facility (423) 967-0200, or from the Center’s office located at 32 Memorial Drive, Winchester.