Budget & finance
Minimum teacher pay would see a bump under Lee’s proposed budget.
65% of vouchers would likely go to students who already attend private schools, the analysis says.
The latest bill generates many of the same concerns that helped sink his 2024 proposal.
New report identifies $9.8 billion in facility needs for traditional public schools.
Strong fiscal management means ‘We don’t have to choose.’
The current state budget includes $144 million for a private school voucher proposal that failed to pass.
Tennessee’s largest district begins a critical year under new leadership.
Lee works to replace voucher opponents with loyalists in GOP primaries
The plan prioritizes addressing staff shortages in the classroom, but cuts jobs in other areas.
Although position cuts in Memphis have been expected all year, details were sparse until a meeting Tuesday where board members pushed back on how Superintendent Marie Feagins has communicated to staff.
Maintenance projects for existing Memphis schools will take priority, Feagins says.
The increase could make open teaching positions more attractive, especially to staffers whose positions may be eliminated.
‘This was a session of good, bad, and ugly,’ said one Democratic lawmaker.
With time running out, GOP leaders insist voucher bill is still in play
Legislation easily clears first legislative hurdle, with two votes set for March 6.
Minimum teacher pay to rise from $42,000 to $44,500
No testing requirements, anti-discrimination language, or program evaluation plan are included.
GOP lawmakers also want to conduct annual hearings into student testing requirements.
Investments in other needs would suffer, panelists conclude
With another battle expected over vouchers, see what legislative leaders and advocates are saying.