Statement from Senator Ken Yager Regarding The Governor’s Budget To Cut Funding for York Institute
February 9, 2010

“We were very surprised and disturbed that the governor’s budget cut funding for the York Institute in Fentress County, especially at a time when we are prioritizing education in Tennessee.  This action would close the doors of the York Institute.  It would also result in great financial hardship for residents of Fentress County who would, without warning, have to take in these students at a time when citizens are suffering from high unemployment and job loss.  Tennessee has a 74-year agreement with Sergeant York, Tennessee’s greatest war hero, who mortgaged his house twice and laid the posts for the school to realize his dream for a quality education for rural Tennessee students.  It would be short-sighted to break this time-honored agreement, which has very successfully showcased rural education in our state.”