General Assembly Islamophobes worried that their own GOP voucher bill will state fund Muslim schools

Voucher bill could fund Muslim schools
http://www.murfreesboropost.com/voucher-bill-could-fund-muslim-schools-cms-34994

By: JONATHON FAGAN, Post Contributor
Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2013 12:00 am


[small]Tennessee State Senator Bill Ketron[small]

A pair of proposals rapidly moving through the Tennessee General Assembly could potentially divert tax dollars currently allocated to public schools to Islamic private schools, and two Rutherford County senators are raising concerns about the legislation.

“This is an issue we must address,” state Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) said. “I don’t know whether we can simply amend the bill in such a way that will fix the issue at this point.”

State Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Tracy each expressed their concerns Friday over Senate Bill 0196, commonly called the “School Voucher Bill” and sponsored by fellow Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville), which would give parents of children attending failing public schools a voucher with which to enroll in a private school.

State monies that would otherwise be spent on educating the student in public schools would then be diverted to qualifying private schools to pay private tuition for the student, in whole or in part.

Islamic schools throughout the state, including Nashville and Memphis where several of Tennessee’s lowest performing schools are located, would qualify to receive such students under the state-funded voucher program.

One such Islamic school, the Nashville International Academy, states that its vision is “to create a positive learning environment where students are committed to the teachings of the Quran and example of Prophet Muhammad.”

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Bill Information for SB0196 - Tennessee Senate
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0196