Tennessee public schools won’t get less money for vouchers, lawmakers explain

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Less than 48 hours have passed and lawmakers are already making clarifications on the voucher legislation filed Wednesday for Tennessee schools.

House Majority Leader William Lambert and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson introduced legislation called the Education Freedom Act of 2025. The 11-page bill contains school choice and public schools provisions in one package after a highly contentious 2024 session that failed to produce compromise on the initiative.

Both Johnson and Gov. Lee talked about a key part of the law—the formula that determines money for public schools.

Each year, government funding for schools is determined by student enrollment. In that plan, lawmakers wrote that funding would not decrease if school district enrollment fell if students and their families instead enrolled in a private school with a voucher.

Governor Lee said this will remain the same in perpetuity. Senator Johnson said this would only last until 2025-2026.

Senator Johnson’s office clarified to NewsChannel 5 Thursday afternoon that the governor’s interpretation was correct, meaning that the absence of enrollment declines in any district will not impact the state’s overall funding for upcoming school years.

The state plans to offer 20,000 vouchers if the law passes in 2025. These vouchers are worth about $7,000 per student per year.

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She carries on her husband’s legacy to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

I am so inspired by Sheila Gunn’s love for her husband and her resilience. Anyone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease knows how cruel the disease is—not only to the patient, but to those who love and care for them. Mike and Sheila clearly had a wonderful love story and now she honors it in the most beautiful way. Thanks to Forrest Sanders for sharing his story.

-Carrie Sharp