House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) and Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators Chairman Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville) on Monday called for a new state education commissioner, saying current commissioner Lizzette Reynolds is not qualified for the position under Tennessee state law.
Reynolds was appointed in May, replacing former commissioner Penny Schwinn. Since officially starting in July, Reynolds has helped shepherd a controversial public school accountability system and is expected to help Gov. Bill Lee expand the private school voucher system statewide. Earlier this month, she gave her first presentation to the Senate Education Committee, receiving criticism over the Tennessee Department of Education's handling of the state’s third-grade retention law.
Pointing to professional experience listed on Reynolds’ LinkedIn account and information from the state website, Clemmons said Reynolds does not appear to have experience as a school administrator and is therefore unqualified to do her job as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-3-802. The statute states that “the commissioner shall be a person of literary and scientific attainments and of skill and experience in school administration. The commissioner shall also be qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority.”
“Commissioner Reynolds is legally unqualified and she must resign,” said Rep. Clemmons. “She fails to meet the clear statutory requirements. … Any attempt by Gov. Bill Lee or his administration to argue otherwise is an embarrassing reflection of the rampant incompetence that plagues his entire administration.”
Clemmons and McKenzie, who were joined by Rep. Ronnie Glynn (D-Clarksville) on Monday, called on Gov. Lee to find a new commissioner if Reynolds doesn’t resign.
The governor’s press secretary Elizabeth Johnson tells the Scene that Reynolds is qualified for the job and is currently enrolled in an education program through UT Martin. McKenzie acknowledged it as “a last-ditch effort to get your qualification — it just doesn't cut the mustard.”
Reynolds has a decades-long career in education policy. She most recently served as the vice president of policy at the Florida-based ExcelinEd, a privatization-oriented nonprofit founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Reynolds has also worked for the Texas Education Agency in several capacities, including as chief deputy commissioner. She was also deputy legislative director for then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush. During Bush’s presidency, Reynolds worked as a special assistant in the office of legislation and congressional affairs for U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and as regional representative for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
