Professional Educators of Tennessee Executive Director JC Bowman released this statement today in response to Governor Bill Lee signing the universal voucher bill:

The voucher legislation's rules and implementation details must be finalized in the coming months. We still do not know the ultimate financial cost to taxpayers of this legislation to the state, whether children will receive a quality education or its long-term impact on public schools that nearly 90 percent of Tennessee parents trust to educate their children.

As a result, public schools could face significant long-term uncertainty about future budgets and operations. Like many taxpayers across Tennessee, we believe the legislation should have been more thoroughly deliberated and discussed before passage.

The political landscape sometimes does not align with our expectations or desires. Nevertheless, our dedication to supporting students and advancing education across Tennessee remains strong and unshakable.

We will continue to advocate for what matters most, ensuring every student has access to the quality of public education they deserve.

CONTACT: For more information on this or any other education issue or to schedule an interview, don't hesitate to get in touch with 615-778-0803 x100 or email info@proedtn.org