NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Superintendents and other state leaders met with state lawmakers in the house education committee to discuss how their local schools are doing.
The summer study was held with a large group of representatives. Superintendents, one each from Bradley County, Chester County, Cleveland City, Dickson County, Monroe County, Manchester City and Clinton City, all testified before the committee.
The group of rural school systems talked about the need for broadband internet in many areas where some students can't attend school virtually if they want to. Also, lawmakers asked about each school system's choice for virtual schooling. Some LEAs chose to create their own virtual classrooms, while others contracted private companies to teach the kids.
One lawmaker, Memphis Democrat Antonio Parkinson, pointed out the superintendents invited to the hearing were all from rural counties. None of the superintendents from the four urban school systems were present.
“At a minimum to find out how they were dealing with these problems at a large scale," said Parkinson. "Their application to in regards to how they deal with or fight the current situation might be totally different than how they do it in the rural school districts where there may not be a large percentage of people who are COVID positive.”
The superintendent of Machester City, Dr. Joey Vaughn, said one frustration is being unable to locate all the children who are supposed to be in school.
“Guys we have missing kids," said Vaughn. "That’s been a frustration because we need to take care of everybody.”
Vaughn said three children are unaccounted for, but that his school district was smaller. Other districts have also reported some kids have not been to class, even though eight weeks of school have passed in some districts.
