Professional Educators of Tennessee

As of the deadline for this article, both the federal and state legislation dealing with education is still uncertain. On the federal level, HR1 is still in conference committee trying to work out the differences in the House and Senate versions of President Bush's Education Plan.  There will be changes but not as drastic as those first proposed.

Governor Sunquist has vetoed the budget and the state legislature will be called back to Nashville to override or sustain the veto.  The feelings expressed by many members of the legislature is that while they are not satisfied with what has been passed, they are not ready to try again to work out another budget in the current atmosphere of game playing.  Those who express that they want to control runaway spending and those who are interested in adding an income tax are not going to solve their differences this summer.  Therefore, an override of the veto is most likely and that will safeguard the 3% raise that both houses have voted in which is in the current budget.

A short summary of major legislation from the state must include that the Governor's reading program was passed but not funded.  Since education makes up roughly one-half of the state budget, many long overdue reforms in education continue to face financial hurdles.  This year three separate bills were introduced which proposed a state lottery as a means of earmarking funds to education.  Teacher retirement benefits, insurance, extended leave of absence for teachers who are victims of violence, limits on class size, tuition credits - all have been routinely deferred to Finance and Education committees for further fiscal review.

Some of the more controversial measures debated this year have been: charter schools, teacher certification, requirements for diversity and cultural sensitivity training for elementary students and faculty, posting of the Ten Commandments, and proficiency testing.

New Law:
Public Chapter 197 requires the immediate suspension and dismissal of teachers convicted of certain drug offences.

The formal business of the meeting included PET and AAE Executive Directors'  Reports. A report by PET President, Billie Hamilton, and PET Financial Reports.  Newly elected board members, Frank Bellamy of Maury County and Larry Evans of Montgomery County, were introduced and sworn in.

Dr. Billie Sue Hamilton was the recipient of both the Award of Academic Excellence and the Executive Director's Appreciation Award.  Billie had just received her Doctorate the prior week.  During the time she had prepared for this milestone, she had always made time for service to PET.  She is an outstanding example of a professional educator.


The PET 2001 Annual Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.  The PET Board of Directors had their first meeting of the 2001-2002 membership year following.  Those who have attended these meetings in the past expressed that this was one of the best.  Vice-President, Michael Miller, is in charge of planning for next year's meetings.  Please send recommendations to him millerm02@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us.