letter to the editor

To ‘grow, thrive’ best: school choice advocated

The (state) legislature is back in session. They have lots to do in the next 90 days, from helping Hurricane Helene victims to balancing the budget — but one issue that must not be overlooked again this year is education freedom.

 Too often opponents of school choice try to divide us into two camps: you are either for public schools or against them. As the mom of two public school children, the chair of Knox County School Board and a graduate of Tennessee public schools, I firmly reject this political framing. 

I have seen first-hand how children can grow and thrive when they have the opportunity for a great education. I have witnessed outstanding public educators spending hours upon hours serving our students. I believe in our public schools and — that’s why my husband and I have chosen to send our children to our local public school. I also believe in school choice.

I believe that parents should be empowered to make decisions that are right for their child’s education — particularly if they lack the resources to pay for a different school. Despite what the loudest voices will tell you, those two beliefs are not in conflict. Instead, those beliefs center around one thing: what is best for the child. 

Gov. Bill Lee and President Trump have been leaders on the issue, and it’s long past time for the legislature to act. Locally, (Knox County) Mayor Glenn Jacobs, (state) Rep. Jason Zachary (R-District 14), the entire Knox County Republican state house delegation and three School Board members (Steve Triplett, Travis Wright and myself) support school choice.  I truly appreciate these leaders for not bending to the pressure of self-preservationists protecting institutions rather than serving our children.  

To truly understand the impact of this decision, we should consider the benefits school choice would bring to families. Imagine a mom of a child with dyslexia struggling to find a school that meets her child’s unique needs. Or a low-income family, whose child has been bullied, seeking a different educational environment. Or a single mom who can’t afford to move but knows the zoned school for her child is not right.  If this legislation passes, these parents would have the opportunity to make real choices for their children. 

Families across Tennessee have this kind of flexibility today, but only for parents who can afford it.  Education should be the great equalizer.  We should empower every parent, regardless of income or Zip code.  

Opponents say school choice would drain our public schools of much-needed resources. Nothing could be further from the truth. In Knox County, our budget has increased by 35 percent in the past five years, and that does not include federal pandemic relief measures of more than $150 million.  These increases in funding have occurred while Knox County Schools’ student population has actually decreased.

I have consistently voted to increase teacher pay, improve security and increase funding for high-quality instruction because I firmly believe in improving our public schools.

The funding argument that we can’t do both is a strawman for inaction to support a system rather than a child. This locks many families into a one-size-fits-all environment.  God made every child unique with distinct learning styles and needs. We must support each child as a unique individual. 

The legislature should not allow one more year to pass before giving every family the freedom to choose. Our children don’t have the luxury of time.  



Betsy Henderson, chair of Knox County Board of Education (6th District, includes Hardin Valley)