Who was at the closed-door DeVos meeting?
While reporters headed out to set up for a photo-op and gaggle at a Nashville charter school, Gov. Bill Lee and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos hosted a closed-door roundtable in a conference room in the state Capitol. The specifics of what was discussed were not divulged, but attendees helpfully took photos to give hints about who was there.
Besides the usual suspects of Senate and House leadership, the Beacon Center appears to have been heavily represented with Vice Chairman Joe Scarlett (the retired head of Tractor Supply Co.), board member Fred Decosimo (Lee’s campaign treasurer), and President Justin Owen. Others included Lee Barfield (a former lobbyist and longtime voucher advocate), Victor Evans (of TennesseeCAN), Hugh Morrow (president of Ruby Falls), Bradley Jackson (head of the state Camber), and Mark Gill (president of Rodgers Capital Group). Not pictured is Scarlett’s daughter, Tara.
Seemingly not in attendance? State Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. (We hear she was out of town on TNReady business)
Recognize anyone else?
UPDATE: Readers suggest that the man at top right, next to Gresham, is Ted Alling of the Lamp Post Group, a co-founder of the Chattanooga Prep charter school. And the on the left, next to Lee Barfield is Glen Gaugh of Madison County, who unsuccessfully challenged then-Rep. Jimmy Eldridge (R-Jackson) in the 2016 Republican primary.
UPDATE No. 2: Chalkbeat’s Marta Aldrich takes all the fun out it by CONTINUE READING: Who was at the closed-door DeVos meeting? – TNJTNJ