Tennessee

Tennessee AG argues qualified doesn’t mean certified in fight over education commissioner

Published

2 weeks ago

April 24, 2024

Tennessee AG argues qualified doesn’t mean certified in fight over education commissioner

The Tennessee governor has “unchecked authority” to name a state education commissioner who doesn’t have to be certified to teach, according to an attorney’s general opinion published this week in response to queries regarding embattled Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds.

In an opinion published on Tuesday, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti outlines his legal opinion for why the law stating commissioners be “qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority” does not mean the Tennessee education commissioner has to be certified to teach with a teaching license.

In the 10-page opinion, Skrmetti points to laws established in 1919 and 1925. Skrmetti argues the requirement imposes a “general standing” that establishes the “education, experience, and strength of character necessaryto teach” rather than a specific legal certification.

Skrmetti notes several times that early 20th century General Assemblies chose to give the governor “unchecked power” to appoint commissioners without legislative approval, giving the governor power to “unilaterally judge who had the attainments necessary to lead the State’s Department of Education.”

Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, requested the formal opinion from Skrmetti earlier this year as reports emerged that Reynolds may not meet qualifications for the job.

According to Tennessee state code, the education commissioner “shall” have experience in school administration and be qualified to teach at a high school level. Reynolds, who has experience in school choice nonprofits and the Texas education department, does not appear to have ever taught in a classroom as a teacher or served in local K-12 administration.

Reynolds enrolled at UT Martin to seek a master’s degree and teaching license after Gov. Bill Lee appointed her to the position last year. She also misrepresented her tenure with the state to receive free tuition in the program, which the Department of Education called an administrative error. Following a Tennessean review of her enrollment and department records, a spokesperson said Reynolds repaid the tuition.

Tennessean exclusive: Tennessee education chief got tuition waiver before required six-month employment period

Democrats have continually called for Reynolds to resign in recent months, though Lee continues to back the education chief.

In his request, Hemmer sought Skrmetti’s opinion on whether the General Assembly has a pathway to respond to a commissioner appointment that doesn’t meet qualifications. Skrmetti says no.

The General Assembly likely lacks any viable route to removing the Commissioner of Education from office through litigation. The state — acting through its district and state attorneys general — may have a right to seek court-ordered removal of an unqualified state officer through Tennessee’s “quo warranto” statute. Individual members of the public likely have no direct avenue to prosecute a “quo warranto” action or other removal litigation.

Most recently, the Department of Education pointed to a state law and State Board of Education rules aimed at helping address teacher shortages as evidence that Reynolds is qualified for the position.

The rules allow the commissioner to issue temporary permits to people — based upon work experience, degrees held, subject expertise and progress toward obtaining a Tennessee license — to enable them to teach. A spokesperson has said Reynolds is qualified under these rules but has not issued herself a temporary permit.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Vivian Jones contributed to this report.

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Tennessee

Antoni Kade Aguon Ogumoro Officially Visits Tennessee

Published

43 mins ago

May 5, 2024

Press Room

Antoni Kade Aguon Ogumoro Officially Visits Tennessee

2025 three-star offensive lineman Antoni Kade Aguon Ogumoro (Elgin, Okl.) officially visited the Tennessee Volunteers over the weekend.

Elgin High School offensive lineman Antoni Kade Aguon Ogumoro was Tennessee’s first official visitor of the summer season. He ranks as the No. 882 prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, and is down to a final six of Kansas State, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee.

The in-state Oklahom Sooners received an official visit from him on the weekend of April 19, and he will see Kansas State and North Carolina over the next few months. However, this weekend he made the trek out to Knoxville, Tennessee, to spend extensive time with the coaching staff. He stands 6-5 and 290 pounds with enough athletic versatility to kick inside in college if his coaching staff needs him to.

Tennessee’s 2025 Recruiting Class

George MacIntyre, QB
Justin Baker, RB
Radarious Jackson, WR
Joakim Dodson, WR
Jack VanDorselaer, TE
Ethan Utley, DL
Dylan Lewis, CB
Tyler Redmond, CB
Sidney Walton, S

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Tennessee

Titans WR Named Trade Candidate for Steelers

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Press Room

Titans WR Named Trade Candidate for Steelers

The Tennessee Titans are still looking for wide receiver help and seemed destined to land someone before training camp. And when they do, it could mean the end of Treylon Burks.

The Titans are still working on bringing in former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, but could look at other wide receivers on the open market if it doesn’t work out. When they do make another addition, it’ll leave them with DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Burks and another signee. Unfortunately, that may strike the end for Burks time in Tennessee.

Steelers Now’s Nick Farabaugh believes the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a name to watch for a potential Burks trade.

“Burks could fit the type of big, outside wide receiver that the Steelers are looking for after drafting Roman Wilson, who profiles as a slot receiver in his first season. But Burks would be far down the list since he is not someone who profiles as plugging a hole as a proven receiver. Still, with the trade market seemingly coming to a halt for now, Burks at least has to be considered a possible option for the team given his rocky situation in Tennessee,” Farabaugh writes.

The Steelers have been reportedly looking for a wide receiver trade throughout the offseason, but with the San Francisco 49ers shutting things down, the team could begin looking at smaller names than Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

That name could be Burks.

Make sure you bookmark All Titans for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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#3 Tennessee clinches seventh straight SEC series win in Gainesville

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Press Room

#3 Tennessee clinches seventh straight SEC series win in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, FL (utsports.com) – No. 3/3 Tennessee exploded for 11 runs in the sixth inning to blow open a close game and secure its seventh straight SEC series win, toppling Florida 16-3 in seven innings on Saturday night at Condron Family Ballpark.

With the win, the Volunteers also recorded their fourth consecutive series win in Gainesville, something that has never been done before in program history.

Hunter Ensley led the way in UT’s offensive outburst with three run-producing hits, finishing with a pair of two-run doubles and a three-run homer for a career-high seven RBIs.

Ensley’s career night started with a big two-out double in the top of the fourth to plate two runs and get the Big Orange on the board, cutting their deficit to one. The redshirt junior center fielder fouled off three straight 3-2 pitches before roping the ninth pitch of the at-bat off the base of the wall in left field to score Billy Amick and Dean Curley.

Tennessee built off that momentum and took control of the game with its 11-run sixth inning. The Vols got back-to-back RBI hits from Curley and Ensley after a walk from Kavares Tears and a Dylan Dreiling double put runners on second and third with no outs.

After five more runs had already crossed the plate, Ensley provided the exclamation point on the inning with a three-run home to right field to give UT a 13-3 lead.

Christian Moore and Blake Burke hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the seventh to provide a little more insurance for the run-rule win. Moore had another productive game at the dish with three hits, two runs and two RBIs.

Curley also had a really solid night with two RBI knocks and a team-leading three runs scored.

Nate Snead was dominant on the mount, striking out a career-high seven batters while allowing just one unearned run on two hits in five innings of relief to pick up the win and improve to 8-1 on the year.

The Gators jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a Ty Evans two-run home run in the bottom of the first and extended their advantage to 3-0 by scoring on a throwing error in the third, but it was all Vols from that point forward, as Tennessee scored 16 unanswered runs.

STATS OF THE GAME: The Vols posted their fifth run-rule win during SEC play this season, including their third on the road, with Saturday’s victory.

UT’s 11-run sixth inning was tied for its most runs scored in an inning this season, matching the 11 it scored in the third inning of a 16-0 victory over ETSU on Feb. 21.

UP NEXT: The Vols return home to take on Queens on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. before hitting the road once again for a weekend series in Nashville against Vanderbilt.

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