Tennessee Governor Bill Lee put his support behind legislation that will give students more input in local school board decisions.¶
Lawmakers passed the legislation last month that requires each school district in the state to create a policy for a student to serve as a nonvoting school board member. Some districts, including Metro Nashville Public Schools, currently have nonvoting school board members, but the student-led group Students for Education argues too many others don’t.¶
The organization partnered with Senator Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, and Representative Sabi ‘Doc’ Kumar, R-Springfield, to advance the legislation this session, and on Tuesday, Governor Bill Lee joined them to hold a ceremonial signing.¶
“The signing of SB161 signifies a change in how state government officials interact with Tennessee’s high school students—not only by adding a nonvoting student seat to every school board, but also by working with a group of dedicated youth to get the initiative across the finish line in the first place,” said organization founder and University School of Nashville student Brendan West. “I want to extend our sincere thanks to Chairman Sabi ‘Doc’ Kumar, Senator Joey Hensley, Governor Bill Lee, and the many legislators who helped advocate for this bill. For other students in the state, I hope that SB161 serves as an inspiration and a reminder that we have the power to effect real, tangible change if we put in the effort and show up.”¶
The group attempted to pass similar legislation last year, but it stalled in committee.¶
West and other Middle Tennessee students created Students for Education in 2021 to provide students with a platform to become more involved in their state and local governments. Today, the group has approximately 100 members from more than 20 schools across the country.¶
