Clarksville school board denies Hillsdale. Reasons go beyond president's comments
Callie Cook took three of her four children to school board in hopes of leaving with more educational options in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.
She left the board room frustrated, and uncertain of her children's future.
Two charter schools were applying to offer a different educational options in Montgomery County, but board members rejected American Classical Academy Montgomery and Oxton Academy.
Both schools were hoping to enter the district in for the 2023 school year.
Controversial charter school denied
The board voted unanimously against Academy, which is tied to Hillsdale College in Mich. It's the second school board in Middle Tennessee to vote against Hillsdale this week, joining Rutherford County.
During a private event in Williamson County, Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn could be heard saying “Teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country" to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
Many universities denounced Arnn's comments, including CMCSS board members, who spoke Tuesday, commending the job done by teachers and the college who train them.
Tale of two charters: One Clarksville school sees recommendation, another doesn't after review
Charter school concerns
Board member Jimmie Garland said the reason he voted against both charter schools was because of his concern, especially for Oxton Academy, which will educate high school students only falling behind.
"If we go to a charter school for high school students and they fail, those students are not going to have a chance to recover," Garland said.
Board Chair Herbert Nelson, who also voted against both charter schools, said constituents and educators were resoundingly in favor of rejecting charter schools in Clarksville-Montgomery County.
Oxton Academy was rejected by a vote of 4-3. Voting against the school were Garland, Nelson, Charlie Patterson and Carol Berry. Voting for the school to enter the district were Josh Baggett, Margaret Pace and Kent Griffy.
For Cook, supporting Academy was an uphill battle. Even with the negative comments about schoolteachers,
Before the president's comments, the review board — compiled of school district employees and other Montgomery County residents — recommended the school board vote against the charter school. Review board members said the school did not meet state standards.
In favor of choice
"I'm in favor of any kind of choice," Cook told the Leaf-Chronicle after the board meeting. "It is super frustrating; I've been coming to these meetings for over a year."
The charter school did meet the state's financial standard in its amended application. But Cook argued many schools in Tennessee are not meeting the standards set forth by the state.
Board members said they're aware both charter schools can now appeal to the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Commission.
While Griffy rejected the Academy charter school application at the recommendation of the review board, he did vote to approve the Oxton Academy application as it was recommended by the review committee.
"I think we have just as much responsibility to allow our students to have all the choices we can give them," Griffy said during board discussion.
Garland said it was the district's job to give students the best education they can.
Cook could be heard saying "you're not" as Garland finished his thought.
She said she is passionate about the decision because schools are falling behind in Tennessee, due in large part to the pandemic. With four children, she wants a choice to guide her children through the county.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to TheLeafChronicle.com.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Hillsdale charter school applications denied by school board
