Republican lawmakers question Tennessee education commissioner’s credentials

House Republicans are voicing concerns over Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds' qualifications to continue leading the state agency. One is calling her perceived lack of credentials "a slap in the face" to teachers, and calling for her resignation following a report by The Tennessean that Reynolds repeatedly signed forms misrepresenting her tenure with the state to obtain a taxpayer-funded tuition waiver.

Records obtained by The Tennessean show that twice within her first six months of employment with the state, Reynolds certified under penalty of perjury that she had worked for the state for six months or more, while seeking to waive tuition for classes at the University of Tennessee at Martin in pursuit of a teaching credential ― something state law requires education commissioners to hold. State employees are only eligible for free tuition after they have been working at least six months.

After inquiries from The Tennessean last week, the Tennessee Department of Education said the tuition was paid as the result of "an administrative error," and Reynolds has recently repaid tuition funds. The department has pointed to a recent state law and flexibility around teacher shortages as evidence Reynolds is qualified for the position.

But at least one Republican lawmaker is questioning whether Reynolds should continue to lead the department ― and one is calling for her resignation.

“She committed a crime. I’m not a lawyer – by no means – but I think it warrants the Attorney General, maybe, looking into it,” Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, told The Tennessean in an interview on Monday. “I think she should resign, and if she won’t, I think the governor should definitely ask for her resignation.”

Warner said that since The Tennessean broke the story of Reynolds’ misuse of tuition waivers, he received more than 50 calls from teachers, school administrators and school directors in his district and beyond, saying Reynolds should resign.

He says Reynolds’ lack of a teacher’s license is “a slap in the face” to educators.

“If she’s not qualified to be a teacher in the state of Tennessee, she’s definitely not qualified to do this job,” Warner said.

Warner called Reynolds’ pursuit of a tuition waiver for which she was not qualified “a nail in the coffin” for her service, also citing her lack of teaching credentials and school administrative experience, and concerns over her ability to answer questions on bills in committee, instead relying on colleagues and deputies to answer questions on technicalities of the voucher legislation.

“It bothers me that we go to places like California, Texas, and bring those people in here to be Commissioner of Education when we have many, many Tennesseans that are qualified and share the values of the majority of Tennesseans,” Warner said.

But Reynolds has no intention to resign, according to the department.

“The Commissioner is dedicated to serving the students of Tennessee and is excited about continuing her work on their behalf,” TDOE spokesman Brian Blackley told The Tennessean in an email Monday.

By law, agency commissioners are appointed by the governor without oversight powers from the legislature. But that hasn't stopped lawmakers from openly criticizing commissioners ― and even considering "no confidence" votes on commissioners in the past.

Warner is not the only member of the Republican supermajority with questions about Reynolds’ qualifications.

“Unfortunately as I understand the law, the governor has the right to appoint his commissioners free of any review or approval by the legislature,” Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, told The Tennessean in a text message. “There does not appear to be a mechanism under the law through which a commissioner can be removed by the legislature.”

Barrett said that if a mechanism existed to remove a commissioner, he would “decline to take a position” on removing Reynolds until reviewing “all pertinent information” and hearing from Reynolds personally.

“That being said, questions continue to circulate around Commissioner Reynolds’ qualifications and I hope those questions are addressed to the satisfaction of the citizens of Tennessee soon,” Barrett said.

Answers aren't likely coming from the administration anytime soon. Gov. Bill Lee's office has expressed support for the commissioner numerous times, while continuing to dodge questions about legal requirements for her qualifications, and keeping records of discussions of inquiries about Reynolds' qualifications secret.

Lee’s office did not respond to criticism from lawmakers about Reynolds' qualifications in an inquiry Monday, reiterating appreciation for "the work she is doing to serve Tennessee students."

Meanwhile, Republican leadership in both chambers is surrendering the issue to the governor's purview, declining to express even curiosity over the commissioner’s lack of qualifications, despite questions from other Republicans.

“The Governor has the right and responsibility to place whomever he desires into his cabinet,” House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison told The Tennessean in a text message. “This is not a legislative issue.”

“The constitution nor the law provide a way for the Legislature to have any action over a cabinet level position," he added.

Faison did not express concern over Reynolds' misrepresentation of her tenure with the state to obtain a tuition waiver, nor did he respond to questions on whether Reynolds' lack of statutorily required credentials could set precedent for other commissioners who do not meet statutory requirements to be appointed and serve in the future.

Lt. Gov. McNally, R-Oak Ridge, expressed support for the governor's judgement on the matter.

“I support Governor Lee and trust his decision on who is best qualified to run the Tennessee Department of Education,” McNally said in a statement.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

While there is no legal framework for specific substantive action, lawmakers often express support or opposition on a wide range of issues and individuals through resolutions. For example, lawmakers this year have expressed support for the State of Israel, and on Monday, passed a resolution honoring the Tennessee rifle.

House democrats are continuing calls for Reynolds to step down or be terminated. House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, called Reynolds “an embarrassment.”

“There is a fair debate to be had about whether the tuition waiver was intended for Cabinet members who make far more money than other state employees,” Clemmons said. “It is utterly offensive to think that our governor left the state to hire someone less qualified than thousands of Tennessee educators to run what is arguably one of the most important departments in our state government. Then, when we called him out on it, Lee had the audacity to defend Reynolds' credentials knowing that he had already tried to send her back to college on the taxpayers' dime.”

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at [email protected] or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones. 

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN Republican lawmakers question education commissioner’s credentials