Tennessee dad concerned voucher bill does not support students with disabilities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Tuesday, dozens of teachers took to the Capitol on their spring break to fight against the private school voucher program Gov. Bill Lee is proposing.

The voucher bill is quickly making its way through committees in the Senate and House, which is why one parent came to the Capitol to talk to lawmakers about the detrimental effects it could have on kids with disabilities.

Dustin Park came with his two kids, Dinah and Elliott Park, from Maryville to fight Gov. Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarships. Elliott has Down syndrome, and Dustin said private schools would not accept him or give him the attention he needs.

The Tennessee Commissioner of Education, Lizzette Reynolds, confirmed Monday, to the House Finance Ways and Means Committee, that private schools under the plan are not required to take students with disabilities.

Dustin said the bill is purposely structured to leave out the state’s most vulnerable kids.

“That philosophy is of an exclusive community that doesn’t involve every person in our community,” he said after a rally Tuesday. “And we believe in an inclusive community which encapsulates everybody and that’s what our public schools do. Any student that comes to their door they accept, and they educate that child.”

The school voucher bill goes to the House Government Operations Committee and Senate Finance Committee next.

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