December 3, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
After a failed attempt to remove it from the agenda, the county commission Monday night rejected a non-binding resolution in opposition to the Governor’s proposed Education Freedom Act or school voucher legislation which is expected to be re-introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly in January.
Although the vote to remove the resolution from the agenda was 5 to 4 in favor, it failed to get the eight votes needed to actually remove it from consideration at this meeting.
Those voting to remove it from the agenda were Larry Green, Andy Pack, Glynn Merriman, Jeff Barnes, and Tony (Cully) Culwell. Those voting to leave it on the agenda were Tony Luna, Beth Pafford, Myron Rhody, and Daniel Cripps.
The later vote on adoption of the resolution was 6-3 against. Again, eight votes were needed in favor to adopt it. Those voting against the resolution were Tony Luna, Larry Green, Andy Pack, Glynn Merriman, Jeff Barnes, and Tony (Cully) Culwell. The three voting yes were Beth Pafford, Myron Rhody, and Daniel Cripps. Five commissioners were absent, Tom Chandler, Sabrina Farler, Susannah Cripps, Greg Matthews, and Mathias Anderson.
Commissioner Pack explained his reasons for being against this resolution.
“We can throw this out there but it will have no direct affect on the final outcome of this. Our state representatives will have a direct vote on it,” said Pack.
“All I know is what’s been put out for us to read and there is nothing I’ve seen about pulling money away from public education. The funds are there and are going to be there. I know money is important but children are more important than the money and the parents should know the children better than the teachers and especially better than the government. I think it should be left up to the parents who know what their children’s needs are and what’s best for them,” said Commissioner Pack.
“The school system has changed a lot. There are a lot of requirements now of the children tied to money. We have had school buses run to get children to school and then parents get phone calls saying you have to get your children home. How does that happen? Once children get to school they are counted so they (school district) get those funds but they are not worried about getting them home”.
“I’m not against public schools. Some say if you are for this you are against public schools. Absolutely not. Public schools will still be funded. Our student to teacher ratio is so great that our teachers can’t teach children. Our teachers teach the curriculum and they have to teach it in a time frame that for some children can’t be met. That’s the reason we have so many special education classes for these children because teachers can’t teach the children in the time frame for the curriculum the state requires them to,” explained Commissioner Pack.
“With this bill, if parents choose to put their children in a private school that will reduce the number of students in those public schools and with that you will reduce the number of students per teacher ratio and that could possibly help the teachers teach the children more efficiently. Give parents the freedom to decide,” continued Pack. “ How many private schools do we have in DeKalb County? This will have very little to no impact in DeKalb County. In the future, maybe. Why are we seeing more high school students being home schooled? They are getting away from the public school system. Why? Why are private schools mostly religious based. Its because we are removing God from schools. Once you remove God and start filling it with something else you are just asking for trouble. I am totally for giving the parents the freedom to choose about their children,” said Commissioner Pack.
Commissioner Beth Pafford, who asked that this resolution be placed on the county commission agenda for consideration, is a long-time educator and currently the assistant principal at Northside Elementary School.
“Its been said this isn’t our business but as the funding body for this county it absolutely is our business to let our voices be heard about proposed use of state funds for universal vouchers,” said Pafford. “Universal vouchers are not about educational needs. It’s a handout without any accountability. Kids automatically excluded from this are students with special needs, families that can’t provide transportation, and students that don’t pass the interview that most private schools will have them partake in to see if they are a good fit. The money already follows the student. Private money follows private school students to private schools. Public money, our tax dollars, follows public school students to public schools. Vouchers mostly go to families that are already in private school and with universal vouchers and private schools, its schools which choose which students they will let come. Not the parent,” explained Pafford. “Public schools provide space for all to get an education. As an educator I want to help all students learn,” said Pafford.
“I am a public-school educator because I choose to be because I think its important to teach all children including those who fall right in the middle, the ones who are advanced, and the ones who struggle whether its with behaviors, academics, you name it. I think its important for them to have a place to learn and we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help them learn. Yes, it takes people and it takes money to make that happen. Its not just teachers that make schools run, its assistants, cafeteria staff, janitors, bus drivers, office staff, maintenance workers, and a whole big crew of people that show up day in and day out to make schools work. I can assure you my passion is to see public schools stay strong so that our community can be strong,” said Commissioner Pafford.