The Department of Education and the governor’s office both confirmed to The Tennessean Thursday that Reynolds has since paid back the funds.
“This was an administrative error, which immediate action has been taken to correct,” education spokesperson Brian Blackley told The Tennessean in an email. “Upon realizing the mistake, Commissioner Reynolds personally covered the cost of all classes that were ineligible for the state waiver, in accordance with language in the waiver application.”
In a statement, Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson indicated that the governor still stands behind Reynolds despite the error.
“She has taken full responsibility, and we appreciate the work she is doing to serve Tennessee students,” Johnson said.
As commissioner, Reynolds earns a salary of $21,252 per month – about $255,000 per year – to lead the state agency, according to state salary records.
Reynolds enrolled at UT Martin after appointment Reynolds has become a face of Lee’s priority legislation this year: a statewide universal school choice program that would fund 20,000 taxpayer-funded scholarships of at least $7,000 for students to attend private schools.
She joined state government from ExcelinEd, a national group that advocates for school choice policies, where she served as vice president of policy. Prior to that, she was in senior leadership at the Texas Education Agency, advising the Texas Education Commissioner on special projects, and served as chief deputy commissioner.
Despite significant experience in education policymaking, Reynolds does not hold a Tennessee teaching license, nor is she licensed to teach in any other state. Her resume on file with the Department of Education does not include any experience in school administration.
It’s unclear whether Reynolds’ lack of teaching license came up during hiring conversations with the governor or his staff.
But records obtained by The Tennessean through a public records request show Reynolds was notified of her acceptance to UT Martin’s education master’s program on June 13, about six weeks after Lee announced her appointment.
UT Martin spokesperson Bud Grimes confirmed Reynolds began coursework toward the Master of Science in Initial Licensure – Special Education program on Aug. 21. She is currently enrolled in the spring 2024 term.
Reynolds is not required to attend any classes in person, as the master’s program is made up of entirely online course work until a residency seminar during the final term of the program.
Lee administration redacts records, declines to answer specifics Since questions have arisen over Reynolds’ qualifications, Lee’s office has repeatedly expressed support for the commissioner, issuing similarly worded statements multiple times that say her “credentials and professional experience” qualify her for the position. On Tuesday, the Department of Education reiterated its statement that the coursework was not required by state law.
The governor’s office has declined to answer questions on whether Lee had concerns over legal requirements for the commissioner or whether he specifically felt it was necessary for Reynolds to pursue the UT Martin coursework.
The language used in many of the statements was first crafted in January, according to the records obtained by The Tennessean from the governor’s office.
“With approval from GBL, wanted to let you all know where we landed,” Johnson wrote in a Jan. 22 email to TDOE’s communications director Victoria Robinson, Lee’s Chief of Staff Joseph Williams, and half a dozen of the governor’s senior policy and communications advisers.
But the governor’s office has redacted pages of emails showing previous discussions on how to respond to media inquiries on Reynolds’ credentials.
The governor’s team says the redacted emails are confidential, covered by the “deliberative process” exception to the Tennessee Open Records Act. The exemption is not spelled out in state law but through a series of court decisions. Lee’s office has cited the exemption dozens of times to keep records secret.
Despite multiple attempts, neither the governor’s Public Records Counsel, nor his communications team has provided specifics on why the deliberative process exemption would apply to the records.
Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones.