(NASHVILLE) — This week, Republican lawmakers approved legislation sponsored by Representative Bill Sanderson (R-Kenton) aimed at optimizing school hours so Tennessee children spend more time in classrooms learning on school days.
House Bill 192 decreases the amount of lost time for schools throughout the state by reducing the number of full evacuation fire drills conducted at academic institutions each year. Currently, every Tennessee school conducts eleven fire drills throughout the school year. House Bill 192 requires one fire drill to be conducted every 30 school days and reduces that number to six annual drills with the first drill to be conducted during the first two weeks of the school year. This will allow academic institutions to maximize opportunities to educate their students.
“When educators can focus all of their time and efforts on instructing our children without fear of sacrificing their safety, all of Tennessee benefits,” said Representative Sanderson. “House Bill 192 achieves this goal by eliminating some of the interruptions that inhibit learning from taking place in our classrooms.”
“We are appreciative that Representative Sanderson is working to improve educational outcomes for all Tennessee students,” said House Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan Williams. “His Republican colleagues look forward to working with him to ensure that our children are always placed in environments where they can thrive and achieve their academic goals and dreams.”
The full text of House Bill 192 can be accessed by visiting the Tennessee General Assembly website at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0192.pdf
Bill Sanderson serves as Chairman of the House State Government Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Transportation, House State Government and Joint Fiscal Review Committees. Sanderson lives in Kenton and represents House District 77, which includes Dyer, Lake and part of Obion Counties. He can be reached by email at: [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-0718.
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