FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 28, 2022
CONTACT Lindsay Kee, ACLU-TN, (615) 320-7142
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee sent open records requests today seeking information about Governor Bill Lee’s developing partnership with Hillsdale College to establish a number of publicly funded charter schools in Tennessee.
“Outsourcing the operation of our public schools to a private, out-of-state religious college is not in the best interest of Tennessee’s children and is deeply concerning,” said Hedy Weinberg, ACLU of Tennessee executive director. “Governor Lee’s plan raises serious constitutional concerns, and the public deserves full transparency so that they know about any financial arrangement and other details of this agreement, as well as its impact on public education.”
The open records requests were sent to Governor Lee’s office, the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, and the Tennessee Department of Education. The letters request copies of any agreements or draft agreements between the state and the private, Christian institution; communications between various state offices and the school; and records of any payments made by the state to the school.
The open records requests sent today can be found at:
https://aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hillsdale-Records-Request-to-Governor-2.28.22-NI.pdf
https://aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hillsdale-Records-Request-to-TN-Public-Charter-School-Commission-2.28.22-NI.pdf
https://aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Hillsdale-Records-Request-to-TDOE-2.28.22-NI.pdf
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