TNFirefly · Newsletter · NOW PLAYING
the friday flicker
No. 15
Sat · 5 Sep · 2026
Side B
 
From the Editor

Good evening,

This week, we're asking school board members across the state for their positions on key education issues including public school choice.

We also have an important update on the appeal to open Dyer County's first public charter school, a new poll gauging support for gubernatorial candidates and classroom AI usage, and a look at two state lawmakers' proposal to fund the late Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

The Week That Was

School Board Members Ignore Questions About Public School Choice

Only four board members in Tennessee’s three largest school districts responded to a Tennessee Firefly questionnaire on key education issues their district is facing.

Side A
 
The Week
in One Frame
Reader Poll
Are you disappointed that just four school board members answered our questions about education issues?
Yes
No
Unsure
One tap — your response is recorded instantly.
Willful Blindness? Dyer County Admits Rejecting Trimble Academy Without Seeking Expert Guidance
The Drop · Local Education
Willful Blindness? Dyer County Admits Rejecting Trimble Academy Without Seeking Expert Guidance

The proposed community-supported school was voted down after a review by individuals with no charter school experience.

Read the Story →
You Missed
State Education
Beacon Poll Reveals Blackburn Leading Governor’s Race, AI Approval Supportive With Controls
Marsha Blackburn remains the favorite, and most voters support classroom AI use.
State Education
Republican Leaders Propose Fully Funding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
The plan would eliminate local costs to fund the program.
State Education
Tennessee SCORE Names Nine Recipients of AI Innovation Fund Grant
The organization is providing $450,000 in funds to develop AI-related classroom pilots.
State Education
New Report Finds Virtual Schools are Underperforming Traditional Public Schools
Virtual students are showing less academic growth than their peers.
See You Tuesday

That's all for this week. Look for more news in your inbox next week.

The Friday Flicker.
Your Friday recap. The week's biggest stories, the ones that slipped past, and what's worth catching up on before the weekend.
You are receiving this because you subscribed to The Friday Flicker.
View in browser · Unsubscribe