The WCBOE's decision to rescind its anti-voucher resolution has ignited debate, with political forces claiming it signals growing support for vouchers. Some board members emphasize the vote reflects neutrality on a divisive issue they don’t control, as political forces push a pro-voucher agenda.
In a move that has drawn attention from political players across Tennessee, the Williamson County School Board voted 10-2 to rescind a prior resolution opposing school vouchers, which had previously aligned the board with dozens of other districts against Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act. The vote, largely pushed by newly elected board members, has sparked debate over the politicization of the issue, particularly by figures such as Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, Lee Reeves, and conservative political groups like Americans for Prosperity.
Based on media accounts and social media posts, the resolution's rescission has been portrayed by establishment republicans with an agenda, as a shift in the board’s stance on school vouchers, but the reality is more complex. Several new board members, including Dr. Margie Johnson and Tonya Hibma, have clarified that the decision was not an endorsement of vouchers, but rather an effort to maintain neutrality on a legislative issue outside the board's direct authority.
"The local school board has absolutely no decision-making power on this issue," Dr. Johnson stated. She and others argued that the board should not take official stances on matters they do not control, especially when the community is divided on the topic.
The lead-up to the vote included a planning meeting attended by State Senator Jack Johnson, invited by board member and newly minted chair, Josh Brown. Johnson, a prominent advocate for vouchers, and State Senate Majority leader, has been a vocal supporter of efforts to expand school choice in Tennessee. His involvement, along with the influence of groups like Americans for Prosperity, has fueled speculation that the rescinding of the resolution is part of a larger, coordinated effort to signal growing support for vouchers in Williamson County, arguably an important battleground in the ongoing debate.
Americans for Prosperity and other voucher proponents have seized upon the board’s decision, suggesting that it reflects a shift in public sentiment towards favoring school choice. However, many on the board, including Johnson and Hibma, have reiterated that the vote was not about support or opposition to vouchers, but rather about the board’s proper role. "I don’t want to get into the business of issuing resolutions," Dr. Johnson said. "I want to focus my energy on doing all I can to serve the families, students, educators, and staff of WCS."
Dr. Johnson encourages all those parents who are concerned about the vote on Monday evening to contact her so there can be a face-to-face meeting, a chance to talk over coffee versus debate through social media. She welcomes all of those in District 5 of Williamson County to send her a message in order to schedule it.
The political stakes surrounding the voucher issue are high. Voucher legislation failed in the last session, but advocates, including Johnson and Reeves, seem to be using this moment to build momentum for renewed efforts in the upcoming General Assembly session.
With Williamson County’s significant influence and Gov. Lee’s personal ties to the area, this battle is seen as a test of how much support voucher programs can gain in suburban districts, particularly those with strong public-school systems.
While the narrative being pushed by some political figures is that Williamson County is shifting towards a pro-voucher stance, the reality may be far less clear. Board members who voted to rescind the resolution have stressed that their decision was not driven by a change in support for vouchers but was instead a desire to step back from taking an official stance on a divisive issue. Furthermore, both pro- and anti-voucher sentiments remain strong among Williamson County constituents, as evidenced by the ongoing debate and close votes.
The rescinding of the anti-voucher resolution comes at a pivotal time. Gov. Lee’s administration is preparing to introduce new school voucher legislation in the 2024 session, and key players, including Johnson and Reeves, are positioning themselves for a major political push. This effort is fueled in part by outside groups, such as Americans for Prosperity, which have poured significant resources into promoting candidates and policies that support school choice.
The voucher debate is likely to dominate the upcoming legislative session, with rural Republicans and urban Democrats continuing to resist the push for vouchers, while suburban districts like Williamson County become political battlegrounds. With nearly $7,000 in taxpayer funds potentially going to each voucher recipient, the financial and educational implications for public schools are significant.
The Williamson County School Board’s decision to rescind its anti-voucher resolution has been intentionally interpreted by some as a sign of growing support for school vouchers in one of Tennessee’s most influential counties.
However, the reality is much more nuanced. While some on the board have been vocally pro- voucher, the board's vote also reflects a desire to remain neutral on a legislative issue they do not control, while political figures such as Jack Johnson and Lee Reeves are seemingly seizing on the moment to further their broader pro-voucher agenda.
To underscore the depth of politicization surrounding this vote, Aaron Gulbranson, Director of Tennessee Faith and Freedom, made a rare appearance at the school board meeting—what many speculate to be his first. His organization, judging by its social media presence, seems staunchly committed to two primary objectives: advancing establishment Republican agendas and relentlessly attacking Gary Humble, leader of the influential conservative grassroots group Tennessee Stands.
Gulbranson’s presence adds fuel to the belief that this vote was not just strategically orchestrated but required close oversight by figures like him to ensure its alignment with the desired political narrative. His involvement only heightens the perception that the vote was about far more than school policy—it was about shaping the political landscape in Williamson County.
As the 2024 General Assembly session approaches, Williamson County will remain at the center of the debate over school choice and public education in Tennessee.
As it has often been said, where Williamson County goes, so goes Tennessee. In the case of school vouchers, a robust conservative grassroots effort, helmed by Gary Humble and Tennessee Stands, along with an army of homeschool moms, will have something to say about that.
For a more in depth conversation about the dangers of school voucher programs, and their effect on actual school choice, please watch this fantastic interview with CEO of Classical Conversations, Robert Bortins!
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