10-04-2025
Murfreesboro City Schools officially opposes bill denying education to undocumented children
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Murfreesboro City Schools Board of Education stands firm in its opposition to a bill that would deny the right to a free education to undocumented students currently making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly.
At its most recent meeting, the school board passed a resolution stating its opposition to HB 793/SB 836, which would authorize public school districts and public charter schools to refuse to enroll students who are 'unlawfully present in the United States.'
Critics of the bill say it's an assault on the rights of all children to a free education as provided by the 19892U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe and will lead to lengthy and costly legal challenges. Supporters of the measure say it's already costly for state and local governments to educate undocumented students.
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'Currently, the federal government identifies free and reduced lunch, and they will pay to feed the children in our school systems, but under Plyler v. Doe, they put us in a situation where they won't pay for these students that are in our school systems that are causing this undue burden in our state and in states across the country,' Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) said.
Murfreesboro City Schools officials said in their resolution the bill demonstrates 'a willingness to use vulnerable children and the school districts that serve them as a vehicle to test well-established constitutional protections.'
Further, the resolution states allowing 'discriminatory practices against students solely based on their immigration status creates inequitable educational systems, potentially promotes division within our communities, places school staff in the untenable position of making enrollment inquiries based on immigration status, and conflicts with the mission of Murfreesboro City Schools to assure the academic and personal success for each child.'
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The resolution 'formally opposes House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836 and urges the Tennessee General Assembly to vote to oppose the passage of this bill.'
The bill narrowly passed the Tennessee Senate on Thursday morning after a long debate and plenty of protests at the state capitol. The measure now needs to advance out of committee in the House of Representatives and face a full floor vote before it can become law.
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