Hamblen County Education Association

Reminder! Today is the big day!!!
TEA will be hosting a town hall on the future of public school funding this evening at Morristown West High School. The event is not just for Hamblen County teachers or residents but my entire southwest Uniserv district. Refreshments at 6pm. Program will begin at 6:30pm. This is a public program. Bring a friend. Invite a neighbor.

Link to register in comments.

TEA needs you to voice your concerns! Go to the TEA website and complete their survey.

Congratulations to our Scholarship Recipients: Will Holt, Evan Collier, and Braden Polk (not pictured) with HCEA President Carol Rouse.

HCEA Members,
Do you have a High School Senior, getting ready to graduate? Remember to have them complete and turn in their HCEA scholarship application.

Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill): As a lifelong Tennessee conservative who’s watched generations of my family graduate from our local public schools, I need to speak some plain truth about Gov. Bill Lee's rushed voucher push. Something doesn't add up, and it ain't just the math.

📞 TAKE ACTION NOW! 📧

🍎 Rep. Jeremy Faison:
Email: [email protected]
CC: [email protected], Allison Weir Legislative Secretary
Phone: 615-741-6871

🍏 Rep. Rick Eldridge:
Email: [email protected]
CC: Was not listed
Phone: 615-741-6877

📞 Phone Transcript for Calling Representatives to Oppose the Education Freedom Act

Introduction:

“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of Hamblen County in [District 10/Eldridge or 11/Faison]. I’m calling to express my strong opposition to the Education Freedom Act.”

Key Points you can mention:

1. “This legislation will divert critical funding away from public schools, which serve the majority of Tennessee’s children, to private and alternative institutions with little accountability.”

2. “It unfairly uses taxpayer dollars to subsidize private choices, leaving public schools—especially in rural and underserved areas—struggling to meet basic needs.”

3. “Instead of focusing on real solutions like teacher support, infrastructure improvements, and increased resources for public schools, this bill shifts the burden onto public schools and the families who rely on them.”

4. “Our public schools are the foundation of our communities. Weakening them hurts students, families, and the future of our state.”

Closing:

“I urge [Representative Eldridge/Faison] to oppose the Education Freedom Act and to prioritize strengthening public schools for all Tennesseans. Thank you for your time.”

Optional Follow-Up:
“If you’d like to discuss this further, I’m happy to provide additional details about my concerns. [Phone Number] Have a great day.”

📧 Email Transcript for Representatives to Oppose the Education Freedom Act

Subject: Oppose the Education Freedom Act

Dear [Representative’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. As a constituent of Hamblen County in [District 10/Eldridge or 11/Faison], I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Education Freedom Act.

This legislation poses significant risks to Tennessee’s public schools by diverting critical funding to private and alternative institutions that lack the accountability and oversight of our public school system. Here are my main concerns:

1. Undermining Public Schools: Public schools are the backbone of our communities, serving the majority of Tennessee’s children. Redirecting funds away from them will leave many schools, particularly in rural and underserved areas, underfunded and struggling to meet basic educational needs.

2. Taxpayer Fairness: Using public tax dollars to subsidize private choices is unfair to taxpayers who rely on and support public education. This legislation prioritizes private interests over the collective good.

3. Lack of Accountability: Private and alternative schools often operate under different standards, with less oversight, which could lead to disparities in educational quality and accessibility.

Rather than supporting this harmful legislation, I urge you to focus on initiatives that strengthen public schools, such as improving teacher pay, updating infrastructure, and increasing funding for student resources. These efforts will benefit all children and help secure a brighter future for our state.

I strongly urge you to vote against the Education Freedom Act and instead support policies that prioritize the success of Tennessee’s public education system.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to discuss this issue further if needed.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]

Congratulations to our HCEA officers & RAs for teacher of the year!
Angela Hartman - Hillcrest
Lynne Hileman - Witt
Jenny Wyatt - John Hay
Fran Butler - Manley Primary

How to help East Tennessee flood victims with donations and supplies Floods from Hurricane Helene have devastated communities. Here are places to drop off supplies and give money.