Hillsdale College and Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary announced an end to their partnership, which provided curricular support to the students at the charter school.
The decision from the school officials followed controversial remarks made by Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn.
“The teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country, and they are taught that they are going to do something to those kids,” Arnn said, in part, according to audio obtained by WTVF.
Arnn and Governor Bill Lee, who were present at the event, have received intense backlash across the state for the comments. The two have contended that the comments were taken out of context.
However, the connection to the remarks led the Hamilton County charter school to end the agreement.
“In order to use our time tending to the mission of the school rather than defending ourselves from attempts to mischaracterize our efforts, we have terminated the agreement with Hillsdale that would have allowed us to use a program guide as a planning aid for our teachers,” Skillern CEO Angie Markum said, according to a report from the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
In a separate news release, Hillsdale confirmed the decision to end the curriculum sharing:
“Effective July 6, the affiliation between Hillsdale College, its K-12 Education Office, and Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary in Hamilton County has come to an end.”
Furthermore, the educational institution blamed “inaccurate media attention” for the termination.
“Hillsdale College and the entire K-12 Education Office wish the best to all the students, families, teachers, and staff members at Skillern Elementary. It is regrettable that inaccurate media attention has forced a school to abandon its curriculum,” the release stated.
Earlier this year, Governor Lee announced a plan to expand the number of Hillsdale-connected charter schools across the state.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Skillern CEO Angie Markum” by Ivy Academy and photo “Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary” by Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary.
