NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — As Governor Bill Lee champions school vouchers, some rural Tennessee families argue the program does not meet their needs due to a lack of private school options in their communities.
The Governor’s bill aims to provide school choice by allocating taxpayer funds to help 20,000 students attend private schools.
However, in towns like Chapel Hill, families rely exclusively on public schools such as Chapel Hill Elementary, Delk Henson Intermediate School, and Forrest High School.
Rainey King, a Chapel Hill resident and parent, expressed frustration with the initiative. “Here in our rural town, we’re not behind that. We don’t want those funds to go in there,” King said, emphasizing that the money would be better spent improving public schools.
Limited Private School Access in Rural Areas
A recent update noted the opening of Philos Classical Christian School in Chapel Hill, but it currently serves only eight students and is not yet listed on the state’s private school registry.
This underscores the challenges rural families face in accessing private education options.
Representative Todd Warner echoed these concerns, stating, “If they’re paying tax dollars in, they feel like their money is going to nothing that benefits them.”
Senator Jack Johnson, co-sponsor of the Education Freedom Act, acknowledged the limitations. “We can’t work magic,” Johnson said when asked how rural families could access private schools where none exist.
Governor Lee’s office maintains that over 80% of Tennessee children live in counties with at least one eligible private school, either physical or virtual.
However, critics argue that rural areas remain underserved, with many families left unable to benefit from the voucher program.
Future of the Voucher Program
Currently, only 20,000 students statewide would be eligible for scholarships. While expansion may be possible in the future, skepticism remains high in rural counties. “The last thing they are going to want is the state government trying to run it [private schools],” Warner said.
For parents like King, the debate isn’t political—it’s personal. “This is about what’s best for all Tennessee kids, including mine,” she said.
Governor Lee has scheduled a special session on January 27th to address school vouchers, but for many rural families, the question remains: will their voices be heard?
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