American Classical Education Charter School
ACTION NEEDED!
WTP Administrator's Position:
JMCSS Board voted TWICE to reject the ACE Charter School Proposal. According to TN law regarding charter schools, ACE was allowed to appeal to the TN Board of Charter Schools - which they did, and won both recommendation and APPROVAL of this Board. Put simply, since JMCSS voted against the proposal, this free public school option would be accountable only to the state and not JMCSS. It's all about who is in control.
Contrary to what Dr. King says, the process was fair, and as established by the state. He just does not like losing and now wants to waste our tax-payer dollars on a frivolous lawsuit that will very likely be lost, as the state has made their decision according to the rules.
Action Appeal:
Please email the JMCSS School Board Members and let them know you expect them to vote NO, and that you will be holding them accountable for their decision if they vote to sue the State at the expense of 100's of THOUSANDS of our taxpayer dollars to STOP the recently-approved American Classical Education Charter School from coming to Madison County.
There is a meeting of the school board on Monday, 10/16 at 9:30 am to attend where the board will vote on this litigation proposal, then a specially called Work Session at 5:30 also Monday, then the regular School Board meeting Thursday
10-19 at 9:30. Attending any/all of these meetings with signs (Don't waste our $... etc.) would be helpful as well.
​
Suggested email - use, or edit as you desire. Sending to the following:
addresses; Jwjohnson2@jmcss.org, hbwalden@jmcss.org, amdarnell@jmcss.org,
ssfranks@jmcss.org, dmgaugh@jmcss.org,
jfhampton@jmcss.org, jknewman@jmcss.org, mmmoss@jmcss.org, jccompton@jmcss.org
Send to your school board member, and CC the remainder of the above addresses.
JMCSS Board Member,
Why is our Superintendent willing to spend hundreds of thousands of our tax payer's dollars to fight ACAJM ? Yet, he is willing to endorse another Charter School that has not even submitted an application? As a resident of Madison County, I respectfully ask that you vote NO on the Superintendent's decision to sue the State over their ruling to allow an American Classical Academy Charter School in Madison County. As a voting citizen, I will be following this closely, and it will have a huge impact on my decision when election season comes around. Thank you, (Your name)
Press Release Announcing intent to start the litigation can be found HERE.
School Board Candidate Glen Gaugh offers some FACTS in this Opinion piece that was published in the Jackson Post.
​
Click on the PDF icon to read.
Dr. King sent this to School Board Members as their suggested response to your emails:
"Hi Board,
You might have received an email or emails in opposition regarding the potential litigation regarding TN Public Charter Commission’s recommendation. I want to be very clear about my thoughts so the Board can effectively convey our position to anyone with concerns. My position stems from:
. LOCAL CONTROL: The Board is being minimized and disregarded in local decisions about schools.
. REASON FOR DENIAL: The commission insinuated that the district was playing games by failing to appear for questioning when we followed the rules (Maury County had one person appear and was not questioned) — I take personal offense, because I work very hard to abide by the law of the land.
. EXPECTATIONS: Why are higher expectations for Maury County students obvious than for Madison County, when grading practically the same submitted application differently?
This is about principles, democracy, and local control. I'm not opposed to charter schools. As a matter of fact, I'm in conversation with others about a charter school on the campus of Lane College, a school that we could support for East Jackson as we push STEM. Lane has produced many successful people in the science field so it appears to be the best option of choice.
I share this email so that you have context/facts and not just clues around the upcoming meeting. I am happy to speak with any constituents about this process and the unfairness that was demonstrated towards JMCSS. -M
American Classical Academy Charter School Facts
What to Expect in American Classical Education Schools (ACE)
American Classical Education believes the timeless and rigorous model of classical education should be available to all students who desire it. Our schools train students in virtue, resulting in high academic achievement and the sound moral formation required for responsible citizenship. Utilizing classical methods, rooted in our Western and American heritage, our curriculum inspires joy and wonder to cultivate a habit of life-long learning.
All students study literature and mathematics, history and the sciences, the fine arts, Latin, and physical education because the K-12 years are the years in which we are still coming to know ourselves and the world around us. The successful development of literacy and numeracy and a solid foundation in the core subjects is necessary before advanced training and study.
What IS a Classical Education?
Click HERE to read more
American Classical Education K-12 curriculum was developed through the work of Hillsdale College and with contributions from Hillsdale's member schools, according to a Hillsdale College education website.
According to ACA applications, curriculum would support mastery of Tennessee’s state standards through systematic phonics instruction, Singapore math, a focus on American history, civics, government, use of the Socratic Method and the study of Latin beginning in the sixth grade, for example, as well as a focus on the arts and athletics.
Gov. Bill Lee and education commissioner Penny Schwinn met and attended several events hosted by Hillsdale in 2021. At one of these events, Arnn said he wanted to open 50 new Hillsdale-backed charter schools in Tennessee.
These conversations and meetings led Lee to announce a partnership with Hillsdale at his State of the State address.
​
In that speech, Lee said K-12 curriculum in Tennessee needs "true American history, unbiased and nonpolitical."