2025 Education Year in Review: Funding concerns, voucher debate and ETSU DEI changes

Northeast Tennessee K-12 leaders and higher-ed officials have had to navigate several changes in 2025 relating to federal and state funding, laws governing programming and shifts in leadership, among other challenges. The debate over school vouchers continues Local school officials have repeatedly criticized Tennessee's Education Freedom Act of 2025 over the past year, citing a lack of transparency with the state's school voucher program that allows public funds for private school enrollment. Johnson City Schools board members and Washington County Schools officials said at several meetings that state officials have provided little to no data on where the $144 million in voucher funding has been spent or whether the recipients were already enrolled in private schools. Some policymakers have also voiced concerns about legislators expanding the program in the upcoming General Assembly session. State Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Jonesborough, who voted against the bill, said during a recent legislative meeting with Johnson City Schools officials that she would work with others to oppose an expansion due to transparency concerns. She also warned other states have gone "bankrupt" from similar school voucher programs. "I think that would be a crying shame until we know exactly who got those vouchers to begin with," Alexander said. "Because from my understanding, just from people I've talked with, [some] people that got them didn't need them." Despite supporting school vouchers, Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, said during a meeting with Washington County Schools officials that he shares similar concerns about transparency. "We've asked for all that data, and I would say they'll start giving it to us," he said. School funding woes and concerns Local school officials have also remained concerned about potential cuts to federal public school funding under President Donald Trump after he vowed to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Those funding concerns were magnified over the past year at Washington County Schools, which discontinued its universal free meal program in most schools after the initiative contributed to mounting budget deficits. The district now only continues the free meal program in three schools where more than 50% of families qualify for other government benefits. Johnson City Schools Superintendent Erin Slater said federal funding represents about 8% of the district's annual budget, supporting Title I and special education teachers as well as career and technical education programs. Federal dollars also fund 79% of the district's school nutrition program. "If Johnson City Schools were to lose federal funding, the school system would have to cut some of our programming, as state and local dollars would not generate enough funding to sustain all these programs at current levels," Slater said. Despite such funding concerns relating to the Trump administration, Washington County Schools Superintendent Jerry Boyd expressed some optimism about the GOP's push to reduce the federal government's overall role in education in favor of more local and state control. "Hopefully, the maze associated with the federalized education department will become less cumbersome by more direct involvement of the states by providing a few clearly defined guardrails that enable local boards of education and school system officials to utilize the funds to address the needs of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged, and under-resourced students," Boyd said in an emailed statement. Johnson City Schools makes several leadership changes in 2025 Johnson City Schools underwent several significant leadership transitions over 2025, with Erin Slater taking over as superintendent shortly before the 2025-26 school year. Slater replaced former Superintendent Steve Barnett, who now serves as the Niswonger Foundation's chief operating officer. The district also announced several principal appointments during the spring and summer. Carmen Bryant, who served eight years as assistant principal for curriculum at Science Hill High School, was named principal of the school. Yecenia "Jesse" Cigarroa became principal at Cherokee Elementary School after serving as assistant principal at Mountain View Elementary and Science Hill High School. Richard Hutson moved from Cherokee Elementary to become principal of Towne Acres Elementary, replacing Josh Simmons who transitioned to Woodland Elementary. In addition, Josh Carter became supervisor of secondary instruction and technology after spending 26 years at Science Hill High School with four of those being as principal. Carter began his career at Science Hill as an English teacher in 1999. Higher-ed culture wars East Tennessee State University eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming this year, following recent federal and state policy changes. The change came after Tennessee lawmakers passed a law earlier this year prohibiting public universities and other state government entities from housing DEI offices or units, aligning with federal policy changes under the Trump administration aimed at discouraging specific programming for traditionally marginalized student groups. The university also faced some scrutiny in the fall after it placed two professors on administrative leave for comments about the assassination of conservative activist and gun control critic Charlie Kirk. Andrew Herrmann, a communication professor, was suspended after commenting that Kirk "reaped what he sowed" under another Facebook user's post expressing sympathy for Kirk's family. Russell Brown, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, was also suspended for comments relating to the incident. Both professors ultimately retired from their positions.