By Tom Pappert
The office of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday pushed back on claims by Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives who claim that Lizzette Reynolds, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), lacks the constitutional qualifications required for the position.
Reynolds has faced calls for her resignation by Democrats since late January, when Democrats claimed in a press conference that Reynolds is not eligible to lead TDOE, citing the Tennessee Constitution.
Specifically, those demanding her resignation cite the constitutional requirement for a TDOE commissioner to “be a person of literary and scientific attainments and of skill and experience in school administration” and “qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority.”
Democrats held another press conference this week to renew their calls for Reynolds’ resignation, citing new evidence that purportedly suggests she does not reside in Tennessee.
In remarks made to Fox 17 News after the press conference, Lee’s press secretary asserted, “Commissioner Reynolds’ credentials and professional experience qualify her to serve as TDOE commissioner and we’re proud of the work she’s doing to accelerate academic achievement and support all Tennessee students.”
The Lee spokesman also highlighted additional training Reynolds has elected to receive.
“Additionally, though not explicitly required by statute, Commissioner Reynolds is currently enrolled in the UT Martin Education Preparation Program (EBP) to expand upon her previous experience,” the spokesman said.
The Tennessee Star contacted Lee’s office to determine whether this training would make Reynolds eligible to teach in Tennessee classrooms but did not receive a response before press time.
A Tennessee State Board of Education website explains the EBP is meant “to prepare educators in initial and advanced programs as facilitators of active learning for P-12 learners in diverse and inclusive communities” and is approved by the TDOE.
TDOE spokesman Brian Blackley also told Fox 17 News that Reynolds’ “credentials and professional experience qualify her to serve as TDOE commissioner and we’re proud of the work she’s doing to accelerate academic achievement and support all Tennessee students.”
Following the demand for Reynolds’ resignation in January, JC Bowman of the Professional Educators of Tennessee praised Reynolds to The Star but said the question of whether she is constitutionally qualified to hold the position raises concerns about how the Lee administration vetted candidates for the job.
“To paraphrase Robert Kennedy, you may not like the law, you may not agree with the law, but as long as it is the law: you follow the law,” Bowman said.
Though Reynolds was sworn into office in July 2023, Democrats did not question the commissioner’s qualifications until January. When State Representative John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) was asked why the party did not demand Reynolds’ resignation sooner, he reportedly replied that Democrats “had a lot going on” last year.
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to pappert.tom@proton.me.
Photo “Lizzette Reynolds” by Tennessee Department of Education.
