In the midst of the controversy surrounding Tennessee private school vouchers, a sidecar scam in the form of House Bill 1191 and Senate Bill 135 is quietly making its way through the legislature. Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Williams and Sen. John Stevens, the bill initially appeared as a trivial measure about font size on forms but actually aims to give charter schools the right of first refusal to purchase or lease underutilized or vacant public school properties at below fair market value. This provision could potentially lead to decreased revenue for public schools and increased expenditures for charter schools.
Local representatives Sam McKenzie and Gloria Johnson have raised concerns about the bill, pointing out that it could allow charter operators, including hedge fund-backed ventures, to acquire public school buildings, leaving the local education agency responsible for any necessary repairs. McKenzie highlighted the potential impact on schools like Fair Garden Early Learning Center, where underutilized spaces could be targeted by charter operators.
McKenzie and Johnson fear that the bill is part of a larger property-grabbing scheme for real estate investors, with public schools potentially being acquired, operated, and sold for profit by charter school operators. The bill’s implications could have far-reaching consequences for Tennessee’s public education system. As the legislation progresses, local lawmakers and community members are urged to pay close attention to its potential effects on public school resources and taxpayer funds.
Source
Photo credit tennesseelookout.com