NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — When it comes to the committee tasked with shaping the future of education in Tennessee, House Democrats have been left out of the lesson plan.

The newly formed Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education is charged with suggesting potential legislative ideas related to education.

While the Speaker of the Senate, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, appointed one Senate Democrat to serve on the committee, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton chose four Republicans.

“Yet again, they’re attempting to silence the voice of Democrats," House Democratic Caucus Chair, Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said.

Rep. Clemmons sent a letter to Speaker Sexton asking that at least one member of his caucus have a seat at the table. He cited what he calls "failed policies" supported and passed by the Republican supermajority, including the state's school voucher program, charter schools, and third-grade retention law.

“These are all harmful education policies that have detrimentally impacted the children across Tennessee in all 95 counties and their families, so limiting the representation on an advisory committee on K-12 education to simply Republicans who have supported those harmful policies is very concerning," Rep. Clemmons said.

However, recent TCAP test results show an overall, steady improvement in students' scores. In addition, Republicans have also passed legislation raising the minimum teacher pay to $50,000 by the 2026-2027 school year and bills focused on tackling Tennessee's teacher shortage.

Despite that, Rep. Clemmons argued the whole point of the committee is to come up with the best solutions for Tennessee students and teachers, which are created through diverse ideas.

“No political party has a monopoly on good ideas. Every perspective, every opinion should be valued," Rep. Clemmons said. "I get that we’re in a superminority here, but we represent an overwhelming majority of Tennesseans' views on public education, and those views should be represented.” 

House Democrats asked Speaker Sexton to replace a Republican appointee with a House Democrat prior to the committee's next meeting on July 24.

News 2 reached out to Speaker Sexton's office for comment and is waiting to hear back. This article will be updated once there is a response.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/house-democrats-push-for-seat-on-new-k-12-education-committee/