August 1, 2008

Following an interview with local teacher representatives, the Tennessee Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education (TEA-FCPE), the political action arm of the Tennessee Education Association, has announced its endorsement of Doug Overbey for the Tennessee Senate in District 8. Senate District 8 includes all of Blount and Sevier Counties.

In making the announcement, TEA’s Vice President, Gera Summerford, stated that Mr. Overbey won the organization’s support based on his past support of education issues. Ms Summerford stated that “Doug clearly understands the problems facing public schools and has a proven record in support of issues facing education and public school employees. He recognizes that Tennessee’s future depends on strong public schools, and merits the support of the education community, parents, and all others interested in the future of public education. Public schools have a friend in Doug Overbey. We look forward to working with him as a state senator in the 2009 legislative session.”

The Tennessee Education Association is the state’s largest professional organization representing over 55,000 elementary and secondary teachers, school administrators, education support personnel, higher education faculty, and students preparing to become teachers.

One of the defining issues of the campaign for Senate District 8 has been education, in particular the BEP 2.0 plan passed last year which cut funding for schools in Blount and Sevier counties.

That underscores the importance of the endorsement Doug Overbey has just received from the Tennessee Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education (TEA-FCPE).

Overbey was honored at the endorsement and issued the following statement:

“Elections are about the future, and nothing is more important to our future than the education our children receive. I am the only candidate for Senate who voted to protect our school funding, and I am gratified that the TEA-FCPA has chosen to stand with me even though I am taking on the tough task of running against an incumbent. If elected, I will continue working to change the funding formula and help Sevier and Blount counties get the funding they need to educate our children,” said Overbey.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 4:17 pm and is filed under In The News.
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