Image Credit: knoxschools.org
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Last week, the Knox County Board of Education – the third largest district in Tennessee – voted 6 to 3 to approve a legislative priority that essentially is in favor of continuing the funding of public education for children of illegal immigrants at taxpayer expense.
A bill that could prevent Tennesseans from footing the bill for public school for this cohort of students was debated during the 2025 legislative session and is still in play for next year.
Knox County residents who oppose House Bill 0793 (HB0793), sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44) gathered last Monday ahead of the Knox County School Board of Education meeting to protest the bill.
During their work session, school board members heard from residents who insisted that they pass legislative priorities to support the education of undocumented students.
The proposed legislation would give each school board across the state the ability to deny enrollment to these students and charge their parents tuition.
The Senate counterpart to HB0793 passed the state senate during the Tennessee General Assembly’s legislative session earlier this year but did not pass the House.
While the House’s version of the bill can still be voted on in 2026, it is different to what was passed in the Senate. In order to be made law, the same version of the bill must pass in both chambers before making its way to Governor Bill Lee’s desk.
The bill contrasts with current federal law, and is meant to provoke a challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyer v. Doe. This ruling says that states are mandated to provide a free education to all students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade regardless of immigration status.
Should HB0793 become law, all public schools, including public charter schools, in Tennessee would be required to verify a student’s legal status during the enrollment process.
The board’s legislative priority – named “Free Education for All Children” – opposes HB0793.
Written by board members Katherine Bike and Anne Templeton, the priority urges the General Assembly to oppose legislation that requires school districts “to collect or monitor student immigration status” because it would cause additional administrative burdens, the creation of legal risks, and would be distracting both to teachers and students.
“The Board affirms the Tennessee Constitution and Supreme Court rulings guaranteeing a free public education for ALL children in Tennessee and opposes any measure that excludes – or seeks to exclude – any child from our schools,” states the priority.
Of the three board members who voted against it – Betsy Henderson, Lauren Morgan, and Steve Triplett – it was Morgan who noted that should Tennessee lawmakers pass HB0793, Knox County Schools would be under no obligation to deny education to any students within the district. Morgan stated that the bill’s language says “may choose” when it comes to deciding to charge tuition to parents with illegal immigration status.
The new priority joins others that the board approved in 2024. These include changes to guidelines for teacher evaluations and funding for voluntary preschools. One other new priority was added to the list by the board asking the Tennessee General Assembly to guarantee full funding for Knox County Schools – which will include undocumented students – should federal funds not be made available.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
