Senator Page Walley speaks on Lee’s school voucher program

The Chester County Board of Education held a meeting at the Board of Education building meeting room on Tuesday, December 17. All board members were present at the meeting.
Tennessee Senator Page Walley was invited to be present for the meeting and addressed the board members to have a conversation about supporting and strengthening public education.
He discussed Governor Bill Lee’s school voucher pilot program. “This pilot project hasn’t worked, at least it hasn’t worked yet. There is no data that I have been given that says as a result of this has children showing academic improvement. The only data that was shown was parental satisfaction. That’s not very persuasive with me. You’re happy with it but that doesn’t mean the kids are getting a better education and development. As you know last year there was an effort to “super-size” this project, make it apply to all 95 counties, I did not agree with it. I did not think it was in the best interest in Chester or the other seven counties of our district.” said Senator Walley.
“We did not want to have our public school’s funding (which was already tight) to be diverted in any way, shape, or form. The Governor has come back with a new proposal (looks similar to the other proposal), except now it has a $2,000 “one-time” bonus for teacher’s and faculty. It feels to me (not my words these are other people’s words) like “hush” money. That might be an unfair way to characterize it, but I’ve heard that over and over and over again.”
The School Coordinated and Family Resource Center Programs received a spotlight and celebration during the meeting.
Chester County School Coordinated Health District Director Mia McNeal and the Student Health Counsel students presented at the meeting. Their Coordinated School Health comprises of eight components—physical education, health education, health services, nutrition, healthy school environment, school counseling, psychological and social services, student family and community involvement and staff wellness.
Family Resource Center Director Mari Bates had a PowerPoint presentation for the board members. The mission is to connect students, their families and the community with support resources and opportunities to overcome challenges and lead happier, healthier lives. Their services are free and open to all of the Chester County students, faculty staff and their families. Through grants they have been able to give food, school supplies, clothes and “blessing boxes” that are open to the public. These “blessing boxes” are stocked with food donations from members of the community. They also (partnered with Freed Hardeman University) have a food project that provides students with food who may not have enough food over the weekend.
Next on the agenda was the recommendation for the board of education to recognize specific 2024-2025 as “gifted students” according to CCBOE Policy 4.605. These are Senior students that have completed all their graduation requirements early and will graduate as of December 20, 2024. They will be walking the stage with the rest of their class in May of 2025. The next group of Seniors are students that have graduation requirements but are still enrolled in additional coursework for advancing their education. The third and largest group of Seniors are still yet to complete their graduation requirements but have satisfied their ready graduate classification requirement. Those students due to other activities and opportunities, will be completing less than five course credits for the remainder of this school year to afford them other opportunities—attending colleges, attending work-based learning or studies. It was unanimously approved.
Last on the agenda was the recommendation to the board to consider approving two resolutions to the 114th General Assembly. This specifically included TISA Funding for preschoolers with disabilities and public funds support public schools.
The first resolution is for preschoolers to identify with disabilities but there must be a minimum of 50% of non-disabilities to be present to classify as an inclusive classroom setting. The TISA funding will be helping with the funding and be able to be mandated. The amount is $35,000 from the federal government and state. Originally, they had thought the special-ed preschool program was the same as the preschool program, which it is not.
The second topic was what Senator Walley was discussing earlier in the meeting. Both motions were unanimously approved by the board members.
The next Chester County Board of Education meeting will be January 14, 2025, at East Chester Elementary School at 5 p.m.