Hillsdale-backed charter schools withdraw applications before state appeals vote

After months of controversy, a trio of Hillsdale College-backed charter schools have withdrawn their applications.

American Classical Education, the umbrella organization aiming to open charter schools in Clarksville, Jackson and Murfreesboro, informed the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission of their decision to withdraw from the process on Thursday.

All three were appealing local school board denials to the commission, a nine-member body appointed by Gov. Bill Lee.

The withdrawal marks an unexpected end to months of controversy sparked by Hillsdale President Larry Arnn. An influential player in Republican and conservative education circles, Arnn was caught on camera insulting teachers at an event with Lee.

The controversy soured Hillsdale's reputation in Tennessee, though the school mounted a significant public relations campaign in an attempt to correct course.

In correspondence posted to the commission website, ACE said they requested a delay in the upcoming vote, which the commission denied.

"We made this decision because of the limited time to resolve the concerns raised by the Commission staffand our concerns that the meeting structure and timing on October 5th will not allow Commissioners tohear directly from the community members whose interests lie at the heart of the Commission’s work," Dolores Gresham, chair of American Classical Education, the umbrella organization aiming to open the charters, wrote in a letter to the commission.

"ACE requested a delay to address concerns and clarify confusion and misconceptions raised by Commission staff in each of the public hearings earlier this month, but understand that request could not be accommodated."

In a statement to The Tennessean, Gresham, a former state senator, said the the group heard from parents who wanted to speak before the commission but would be on fall break the week the meeting and vote.

"This made us concerned that the Commission would not hear directly from the voices that really matter — the parents and students in these communities," she said in the statement.

The commission held three public hearings on the schools last week, though, with supporters of the charter schools grabbing most, if not all, of the 15 speaking slots during each hearing. The hearings were held in advance of a slated Oct. 5 commission meeting and final vote on the appeals.

More:The public hearings are over: What to know before final vote on Hillsdale-backed charters

Gresham said American Classical Education remains committed to providing parents and students a choice, and she indicated ACE looks "forward to applying for additional charter schools" in the future.

Chris Littleton of Murfreesboro supported the charter school and said it’s sad to learn that ACE withdrew the application to operate in Rutherford County.

“The greatest possible choice will yield the greatest outcomes for the largest number of families,” said Littleton, a father of three children.

“Every model doesn’t work for every kid,” he said. “Parents are choosing what’s right for their kids.”

Local school boards glad of withdrawals

Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board member Jimmy Garland said he was pleased that American Classical was withdrawing its application.

"I'm glad they finally came to their senses and listened to the people," Garland said. "I never understood why we needed a charter school in the first place."

Olivia Abernathy, a Madison County commissioner and director of Early Education Initiatives at United Way of West Tennessee, was one of two speakers who opposed ACA's contract at the Jackson-Madison County appeal hearing.

“It was clear from the public hearings that the application did not meet the standards and, from public written comment, that the majority of Madison County residents did not support it," Abernathy said. "Our local school system has great momentum in improving student outcomes, and we don’t need a State Commission or outside entity slowing that down.”

Rutherford County Board of Education member Coy Young said also said he was pleased by the news.

“It’s a great day for Tennessee educators,” said Young, who joined the majority of his board in July in a 6-1 vote to reject the charter school application.

Young, however, said he is worried that ACE will regroup with a new application.

He also contends that a local elected school board should have final authority on charter school applications to hold them accountable.

“The locals should have the final say so with what’s going on in education,” Young said.

More:Charter schools public hearing speaker slots limited, all went to supporters

Lee, charter commission faced political test with Hillsdale backlash

During an event in Franklin with Lee, Arnn said "teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country.” The controversial teacher comments sparked intense backlash against Hillsdale and Lee, who linked himself to the conservative college in his State of the State address in February. The governor alluded to a partnership with the college to bring at least 50 charter schools to Tennessee, though he attempted to distance himself from any formal ties over the summer as Arnn's comments grew into a full-blown controversy.

Hillsdale's reputation, and the possibility its affiliated charter schools could be approved by a non-elected commission over the wishes of locally elected school boards, have raised ire even among Republican lawmakers.

At a Tuesday subcommittee meeting, Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, and Rep. Kent Calfee, R-Kingston, criticized the commission's ability to override local school board decisions. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, reminded his colleagues the General Assembly created the commission with Lee in 2019.

More: Hillsdale-backed charter group focused push at state level, not with local districts, documents show

At a Thursday news conference, Lee said ACE's decision to withdrawn its application for the three Hillsdale-affiliated charters was "entirely their decision."

"I remain committed to the fact that we should provide parents choices in this state for education," Lee said.

Laura Testino in Memphis, Marissa England in Clarksville, Scott Broden in Murfreesboro and Angele Latham in Jackson contributed to this report.

Reach Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hillsdale-backed charter schools withdraw applications before state