Alvin C. York founded the York Institute in 1926. Photo Credit: Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation
Governor Bill Haslam has pulled back from a proposal to study the future of the York Institute, started by WWI hero Alvin C. York.
Supporters of the Fentress County high school saw it as another attempt to phase out state funding. York Institute is one of just a handful of schools relying solely on the state.
Fentress County school board chairman Gary Tinch – and dozens of others from the community – crowded a legislative committee hearing this week.
“Fentress County don’t want the state of Tennessee to renege on a promise they made to Sergeant York. And that promise is that they would give the Cumberland Mountain kids an education,” Tinch said.
There’s still question as to whether funding for the York Institute will make it into next year’s budget.
The previous administration also tried to get the county to take control of the school. But former Governor Phil Bredesen also yielded to York supporters.
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