NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Lawmakers sought clarification in the days following the announcement of the governor's proposed education savings account program.
The program, which a spokesperson said would start in 2021, would give students from Tennessee's lowest performing school districts $7,300. The money would allow the student to switch to a different school.
The first year would give the money to about 5,000 students. $25 million was allocated in the governor's budget, however, to give the full amount to that number of students, the state would have to pay at least $36.5 million.
Members of the governor's cabinet were questioned by state senators in committee the day after it was announced.
Questions were brought up about if the state would have to increase the budget as the program grew through the years.
Policy director Tony Niknejad said it's likely the program will reach $100 million as more students and school districts are added.
"After those three years, growth would likely level out after those three years, growth will likely level out in the program," said Niknejad. "After those three years we would have a conversation with the legislatures about whether or not this program is working, whether or not to continue it or whether or not that funding should be allocated to another priority."
Opponents said the plan was taking the state in the wrong direction.
"If we have resources to do that, why aren't they fully funding our schools systems, paying our teachers adequately and why are our facilities not top notch," said the democratic state representative Bo Mitchell from Nashville. "So, if they've got that money to just throw around, what about the home schoolers. Have they talked about sending any of that money to home school kids as well?"
