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Contributed commentary by Dolores Gresham, former Tennessee state senator, former chair of the Senate Education Committee, and volunteer board member for American Classical Education, on the recent CMCSS charter school vote.

It is disappointing that the Clarksville-Montgomery School Board refused to hear questions from its own board members. One School Board member (Aron Maberry) submitted 50 questions regarding ACE’s application. He was allowed to ask only two questions before the rest of the board cut him off and then voted to close the discussion. One board member said he didn’t want to “waste his time” listening to questions.

There should be open, transparent, community-driven conversation before a vote to determine the educational future of local children. This avoidance of questions is not just craven, it’s neglectful of the board’s duties. The board has an obligation to listen to the people, hear their views and represent their voice. This is a total failure to listen to and act on the community’s wishes.

Clearly, this school board does not intend to allow any charters. The Clarksville-Montgomery district’s schools are overcrowded. Turning away high-quality solutions for children and their families is puzzling and out of step with the needs of the community – including overwhelming community support.

The community stands with us. More than 7,000 families statewide have expressed a desire for classical public school choices in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the board ignored the community, rejecting our proposal without public discussion, and showing that they care more about their out-of-touch agenda than the well-being of the young students they are supposed to serve.

Another school board in this state (Rutherford County Schools) found that this application met the standards for approval. It is a shame that this board ignored the evidence and went with their pre-set agenda. The Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools board, staff members and leaders should be making improvements, not ignoring families who want change.

Dolores Gresham