TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Dec 8, 2025

The Knox County Board of Education recently approved a legislative agenda opposing mandates that would require public school districts to check students’ immigration status. According to the Moore County News, Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, and Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland, sponsored bills in the 2025 General Assembly that would have required or permitted such checks. Board members added a tenet urging the state to support the principle that public schools exist to educate all children. During the legislative debate, Watson said the measure was designed to save money. He cited a Rutherford County School Board resolution estimating it costs $3,500 more per student to educate non-English-speaking children. The state Senate passed the bill, and it remains pending in the House.