CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A resolution approved last year that opposes school vouchers was overturned last night during a Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board meeting, allowing the board to take a “neutral stance” on Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed voucher program.
Ten months ago, the CMCSS School Board passed the resolution, created by board member Carol Berry, that opposed school vouchers – a controversial program that would allow public funding for privatized education. On Tuesday night, however, that resolution was overturned in a 4-2 vote.
What are vouchers?
In 2023, Lee proposed the Education Freedom Act, a program that introduced school vouchers. Now, in 2025, the Education Freedom Act has been reintroduced to the legislators under House Bill 1, Senate Bill 1.
The vouchers that Lee proposed are government-funded payments of about $7,000 per student per year that help families pay for tuition at a private school, including religious schools. The idea behind school vouchers is to give parents more choice in their children’s education and to introduce competition into the education system.
According to the Educational Freedom Act of 2025, a total of 20,000 scholarships will be available, divided into two groups:
- 10,000 scholarships are reserved for students whose family income is no more than 300% of the free/reduced lunch eligibility level, or who qualifies under special programs defined in related laws (§ 49-6-2602 or § 49-10-1402).
- 10,000 scholarships are available to any eligible student regardless of income or special programs.
Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as the Department of Education processes them in the order they were completed and received.
On March 26, 2024, on a divided vote, the local School Board passed the resolution that opposed school vouchers.
Overturning the resolution for ‘neutrality’
On Jan. 21, following the unanimous vote for EL-14, the board heard a proposed resolution from member Kacie Bryant, revoking the prior resolution opposing education vouchers and establishing a neutral position.
Bryant clarified that this resolution was not a vote to support school vouchers, but for the board to adopt a neutral stance on the matter to reflect the diverse opinions of the community, rather than advocating for or against vouchers.
“I believe the resolution that was passed last year stating that the Clarksville-Montgomery County Board of Education opposes education vouchers no longer represents the majority of our board,” Bryant said during the meeting. “Nor does it represent the majority of our citizens.”
Bryant then moved for the board to vote on the resolution.
‘Another way to segregate’
Berry expressed a strong opposition to rescinding the board’s position on vouchers.
“I’m just appalled,” Berry said. “Because we know that vouchers are another way to segregate our schools. I’m a product of a segregated school in Alabama. And I get very emotional because you don’t understand the magnitude of what you’re trying to do.”
Berry explained that her mother raised eight kids after her dad died, and if they didn’t have public schools, they would not have had an education. “However, this turns back the hands of time.”
“I oppose accepting the recension of the decision we made just last year,” Berry said. “And this is a violation of the First Amendment: separation of church and state. Yes, it is. Just read it.”
Berry expressed a desire to table the vote since fellow board member Jimmie Garland was not present and held strong opinions about school vouchers as well.
Refusal to delay, outburst from audience
Board member Aron Maberry emphasized the timeliness of the vote and his disappointment at the racial turn the discussion took.
“It’s timely, if we table it, then it will not be timely because we’ll be in a (legislative) special session. Therefore, now would be the time to do this if we’re going to do it,” Maberry said.
He acknowledged Berry’s position as the resolution that would be overturned was her creation, and he was on the opposing side of the vote when it was passed last March. Maberry explained that school vouchers were something that needed discussion and disagreed with the stance the board took last year as he is an avid supporter of school choice.
“It’s very unfortunate, and I’m very disappointed that topics today from Mrs. Berry went racial,” Maberry said. “This is not the same bill as last year, there’s a hold-harmless provision that states if a district has a certain number of students, they will be able to hold harmless at the number and continue to provide funding at that number.”
Maberry also clarified that the First Amendment doesn’t say anything about separation of church and state, but that was an excerpt from a letter between Thomas Jefferson and the Danbury Baptists.
As discussion among the board members continued, there was an outburst from the audience.
“Mr. Griffy, point of order,” a man announced as he rose from his seat. “You just passed EL-14, Mrs. Berry just said she would like to wait and discuss this at a study session, I think it’s inappropriate to move forward with a vote.”
Board Chairman Kent Griffy replied that the audience member was out of order.
Board votes for neutral stance
In 2024, the resolution opposing school vouchers was approved 5-2. Berry, Herbert Nelson, Garland, Margaret Pace and Charlie Patterson voted yes while Griffy and Maberry voted no.
Tuesday night, the board voted 4-2 to overturn the measure and adopt a neutral stance. Maberry, Griffy, Bryant and Chris Lanier voted yes. Berry and Nelson voted no. Garland was absent.