The nut-right has had a growing movement to abolish public education for some time. My brother “Judas;” adulterer, traitor, church deacon, and world-class hypocrite; is a leading member of an anti-public education group in Massachusetts.
Georgia legislature nutcase Bobby Franklin, who wants to investigate miscarriages and abolish driver’s licenses, is also opposed to public education:

“The State Has No Jurisdiction To Educate Our Children — Period”

The real background here is the billions in school vouchers these agitators hope to divert into fundy coffers. Demonizing public education in every way possible, from libeling teachers to crackpot legal theorizing, helps to advance that goal.