Leaders of multiple East Tennessee public school districts are sharing reactions to the decision of state lawmakers to approve Governor Bill Lee’s statewide expansion of school vouchers.

The universal school voucher proposal passed the Tennessee General Assembly Thursday, which effectively allows families to use public money for private education costs. The bill passed the House with 54 ayes to 44 nays and one amendment to the bill.

Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation drastically expanding the number of families who can use taxpayer money on private schools regardless of income

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's bill cleared the state House and Senate and is to be implemented for the 2025-26 school year, using public money to fund private school tuition for up to 20,000 students statewide.