The Knox County School Board spent more than four hours Monday night discussing issues that seemed to have far more to do with politics than improving student achievement.
One of the major agenda items was a “Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution Supporting the Thoughtful and Collaborative Implementation of a Student-Centered Approach to Educational Technology,” requested by Board Member Katherine Bike. While technology in education is certainly worth discussing, the amount of time devoted to political resolutions and statements raised questions about priorities.
Of course, Board Members Anne Templeton and Katherine Bike also used the meeting to push resolutions regarding Tennessee’s Age Appropriate Materials Act. Their objections to state law are not new, but their timing is curious.
State Representative Gloria Johnson was present both outside and inside the building. Yet when the Age Appropriate Materials Act was being debated in the Tennessee General Assembly, I am told by a source that Johnson asked exactly zero questions about the legislation. Now, however, Democrats appear eager to relitigate the issue at the local school board level.
Let’s be honest about what appears to be happening here. Katherine Bike is in a reelection campaign, and suddenly the school board is spending more than four hours discussing resolutions and political messaging that energize a particular voter base.
Even more puzzling was Anne Templeton’s argument that now is the time to seek changes to state law. Really? When the School Board and administration were developing their legislative priorities months ago, where was the urgency? The legislative priorities process provided an opportunity to raise these concerns before lawmakers convened.
Were they unaware? Did they not care? Or did they simply miss their chance?
Claiming that now is the appropriate time to address changes to state law rings hollow when the issue was absent from the board’s legislative priorities discussions in November, December, and January.
The reality is that the Tennessee General Assembly will not reconvene in regular session until January 2027. The School Board had opportunities to formally advocate for changes before now. Instead, taxpayers were treated to hours of political theater.
Parents expect the School Board to focus on academics, student performance, teacher support, school safety, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Spending an entire evening revisiting state legislation and advancing campaign-season talking points does little to address those priorities.
If changes to state law are truly needed, there is a process for that. Work through legislative priorities. Engage lawmakers during session. Build support for reform.
What happened Monday night looked less like governing and more like campaigning.
