Dr. Maya Bugg, chief executive officer of the Tennessee Charter School Center, announced today that she will step down in early summer from the Center after nine years leading and supporting Tennessee’s public charter schools across the state.
Officials said, "As the chief executive officer of the Tennessee Charter School Center, Dr. Bugg’s deep experience launching, scaling and leading high-impact initiatives throughout the education sector has led to unprecedented charter school growth and success in Tennessee."
The number of publicly authorized charter schools in Tennessee has increased from 70 schools serving over 15,000 students when Dr.
Bugg joined TCSC, to 115 public charter schools today, serving more than 44,000 Tennessee students and their families.
"Bugg has also helped bring new and previously unheard voices to important state policy conversations to better address and close equity and resource gaps impacting Tennessee’s public charter school operators, students and families," officials said.
“All of us who have been active in the public charter school space are deeply grateful to Maya and all that she has meant to our schools, families and thousands of students,” said Chris Barbic, TCSC board chair. “She has been an outstanding advocate and leader, and we wish her the very best as she explores her next opportunities."
Mr. Barbic said that since Dr. Bugg first joined TCSC as CEO in 2015, Tennessee’s public charter school sector has secured several major legislative and policy wins that have helped support and sustain Tennessee’s public charter schools, students and families.
Just a few of the notable successes he sited during Dr. Bugg’s tenure include:
State Charter Authorizer - legislation supported and passed to allow the State Board of Education to act as an authorizer upon appeal for charter applicants in school districts with a priority school in their area.
Tennessee Charter School Act - legislation supported and passed in 2017 that modernized and strengthened the 2002 Tennessee Charter School Act, and established a new public charter facilities fund. This was the first time the State of Tennessee recognized inequities in funding and pledged to support facilities funding for public charter school facilities.
Tennessee Public Charter School Commission - In 2019, support and establishment of a new independent state commission with the authority to hear charter school appeals anywhere in Tennessee and to authorize schools following successful appeal. This new law allowed for appeals and new school growth beyond Tennessee’s four largest school districts.
Increased Charter School Funding - During 2019, co-application with the Tennessee Department of Education and successful awards from the federal government of $100 million in new public charter school funding to support charter school growth in the state, including being the only state charter school organization in the nation to be awarded a federal Credit Enhancement Grant to support charter school facilities.
New Charter School Facilities Fund - support and establishment in 2021 of a new state facilities fund beginning with $6 million as a recurring budget item in the Tennessee State Budget, better ensuring stable access to vital facilities funds for public charter schools in Tennessee.
TISA - New School State Funding Formula - support for and enactment in 2022 of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act, a new student-based approach to K-12 public school funding, with an unprecedented $22 million in annual direct funding allocations included for students enrolled in public charter schools for the first time in Tennessee.
"Working closely with Maya Bugg these many years, we have helped ensure that many more Tennessee families have access to a high-quality public charter school. This work continues and we will miss having Dr. Bugg leading the charge for the additional public school resources, facilities, talent, and training needed to support all Tennessee students, regardless of their neighborhood or zip code," said State Rep. Mark White from Memphis.
Dr. Bugg has deep roots in the education sector – from beginning as a classroom educator in North Carolina to working with the United States Department of Education as a policy consultant. She earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, was National Board Certified as a teacher, and received her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership & Policy at the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor of public policy and change management.
"As a public charter school leader and former TCSC board chair and member, I have appreciated Dr. Bugg’s vision and how the organization has transformed and evolved under her leadership to support public charter schools across Tennessee. She has ensured that diverse voices in the public charter school community of our state have been an impactful part of the conversation about ensuring excellent educational opportunities for all students," said Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and Montessori Elementary at Highland Park.
Mr. Barbic said that following Dr. Bugg’s departure at the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session, an interim CEO will be named, to be followed by a public search for the Center’s next chief executive officer.