An Extremist Charter Network is Denied New Schools in Two Tennessee Districts

Privatization push remains strong in Volunteer State despite setbacks

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

A network of charter schools affiliated with the Christian extremists at Hillsdale College is seeking to open up to 50 schools in Tennessee.

The schools would be privately operated but funded by local taxpayers.

Last week, two school districts (Madison County, Maury County) rejected appeals from Hillsdale to open charter schools in their districts.

Twice Denied

The network plans to appeal the decisions to the state’s Charter School Commission, a board hand-picked by pro-privatization Gov. Bill Lee.

In other education news out of Tennessee, the state’s teachers union filed a lawsuit against Gov. Lee over the so-called “prohibited concepts” law that prevents teaching or discussing 14 issues (including racial oppression and sexuality).