By Andrea Zelinski
(From The City Paper, February 18th, 2013)
Locally elected officials in Davidson County are lining up to oppose a legislative attempt to circumvent the school board’s power to approve specific charter schools.
On the eve of the legislation’s first major committee vote tomorrow, over a dozen officials told reporters Monday the legislation undermines the local school board, unfairly targets Nashville and is unnecessary.
“This legislation is, for lack of a better term, horrid,” said Cheryl Mayes, who chairs the Metro Nashville Public Schools board.
The House Education Committee is scheduled to take up the proposal Tuesday. The measure, favored by Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville, would create an alternative route for charter schools applying to open in Davidson and Shelby County.
Charter operators could apply directly to the State Board of Education, under the legislation. If approved, funding would come from local tax dollars.
The press conference included a large swath of the county’s elected officials, including five of the nine school board members, a handful of Metro Council officials and most local House Democrats.
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