not for a few years, though. But, it could happen!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
They Just Keep on Fighting!
the County Commission and the School Board, that is! This time, it's about facilities improvements at Beech, Station Camp, and Merrol Hyde.
Haslam Applauds Sumner COMPASS
Gov. Bill Haslam was in Hendersonville last week for a fundraiser for COMPASS and he took the time to applaud the organization for its work in Sumner County Schools.
Nichols heads to TBR
Vol State will be needing a new President soon -- the current one just got a new gig.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Holt Unwilling to Fund Schools
Sumner County Executive Anthony Holt joined a number of County Commissioners who have said that Sumner County Schools don't need additional funding from the County. This in spite of the fact that County funding of schools as a percentage of total funding has dropped every year for the past 3 years. Additionally, the County has appropriated a portion of the property tax allocation previously dedicated to schools in order to allow a 3% raise for County employees -- a raise not available to school system employees under the current budget scenario.
With growth of about 500 students a year, Sumner County has essentially added an entire high school full of students in just the last two years and has received essentially the same funding from the County during the same time period.
School officials note that such rapid growth must be matched by local funding or it becomes unsustainable.
With growth of about 500 students a year, Sumner County has essentially added an entire high school full of students in just the last two years and has received essentially the same funding from the County during the same time period.
School officials note that such rapid growth must be matched by local funding or it becomes unsustainable.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Gov. Haslam Address COMPASS in Hendersonville
Gov. Bill Haslam was in Hendersonville today to address a luncheon to raise funds for COMPASS -- a community partnership designed to support local public schools.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
More on K12 Inc and Virtual Schools
The Commercial Appeal reports today that two weeks into the school year, more than 850 students who signed-up for K12 Inc's virtual school still have not been enrolled.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Herron Urges Sumner Democrats to Stand Up for Working People
State Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden) addressed the Sumner County Democratic Party's 3-Star Celebration on Saturday evening at Sycamore Springs in Bethpage.
Herron urged attendees to stand up for working people. He noted recent changes in Tennessee law (backed by Republicans) that take taxpayer money and send it to out-of-state, for-profit "Virtual Schools" -- $5400 for each student that signs up. That's the same allocation students would get from the state if they went to a public school -- but this company takes the money, sends the kid a textbook and provides internet access, and then makes a big profit.
K12 Inc, who runs Tennessee's Virtual Schools program, was caught in an outsourcing scandal in Arizona and has been accused of fraud in Pennsylvania. Additional investigations of the company are currently underway.
In spite of these facts, Tennessee Republicans pushed through a law allowing taxpayer dollars to go to this taxpayer-funded, scandal-ridden organization.
Herron said working families are under assault from Republican-backed schemes to ensure that those who already have, get more ... and get it from those working hard just to put food on the table.
Herron urged attendees to stand up for working people. He noted recent changes in Tennessee law (backed by Republicans) that take taxpayer money and send it to out-of-state, for-profit "Virtual Schools" -- $5400 for each student that signs up. That's the same allocation students would get from the state if they went to a public school -- but this company takes the money, sends the kid a textbook and provides internet access, and then makes a big profit.
K12 Inc, who runs Tennessee's Virtual Schools program, was caught in an outsourcing scandal in Arizona and has been accused of fraud in Pennsylvania. Additional investigations of the company are currently underway.
In spite of these facts, Tennessee Republicans pushed through a law allowing taxpayer dollars to go to this taxpayer-funded, scandal-ridden organization.
Herron said working families are under assault from Republican-backed schemes to ensure that those who already have, get more ... and get it from those working hard just to put food on the table.
Friday, August 19, 2011
School Budget Cuts Could Mean Layoffs
Just who would or could lose their job is not yet clear -- but may be learned as early as next week.
Board Chair Don Long had this to say about the situation: “We have grown this year by an entire school, but the county commission is still choosing not to give us any additional money... this is unsustainable; we cannot keep it up.”
Board Chair Don Long had this to say about the situation: “We have grown this year by an entire school, but the county commission is still choosing not to give us any additional money... this is unsustainable; we cannot keep it up.”
HHS and Station Camp Face Off Tonight
In the season opener for both schools, Station Camp will travel to Hendersonville tonight at 7 PM in a district matchup.
Herron to Headline Democratic Event
State Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden) will be the keynote speaker at this year's annual 3-Star Celebration hosted by the Sumner County Democratic Party at Sycamore Springs (between Gallatin and Westmoreland).
Herron's appearance in Sumner has fueled speculation that he may be considering a challenge to U.S. Senator Bob Corker in 2012.
Herron lost a race for Congress in 2010 and briefly ran for Governor that same year before entering the congressional race.
He has served in the General Assembly for 22 years and has promised to address both state and national issues in his remarks.
Herron's appearance in Sumner has fueled speculation that he may be considering a challenge to U.S. Senator Bob Corker in 2012.
Herron lost a race for Congress in 2010 and briefly ran for Governor that same year before entering the congressional race.
He has served in the General Assembly for 22 years and has promised to address both state and national issues in his remarks.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
School Board Looks to Cuts...
Rather than fighting the County Commission, the Sumner County School Board voted 6-4 to ask Director of Schools Del Phillips to find $5 million plus in cuts. The possible cuts could include about 100 jobs. It is expected that the Board will review the proposed budget sometime next week.
The fight over the Schools budget is a familiar one, stemming from continued growth in schools while the Commission has taken funds previously dedicated to the Schools to pay for their own expenses. Commissioners are resistant to any tax increase, even one as small as 14.5 cents (roughly $60 a year for the average homeowner in Sumner County).
Specifically, County Commission Budget Committee Chair Kirk Moser and Commissioner Jerry Stone have made it clear they don't support finding the money to meet the school system's needs. Ironically, Moser and Stone have supported taking funds previously designated for schools to add to the County budget so County employees can have a 3% raise but insist on denying a similar raise to school system employees.
The fight over the Schools budget is a familiar one, stemming from continued growth in schools while the Commission has taken funds previously dedicated to the Schools to pay for their own expenses. Commissioners are resistant to any tax increase, even one as small as 14.5 cents (roughly $60 a year for the average homeowner in Sumner County).
Specifically, County Commission Budget Committee Chair Kirk Moser and Commissioner Jerry Stone have made it clear they don't support finding the money to meet the school system's needs. Ironically, Moser and Stone have supported taking funds previously designated for schools to add to the County budget so County employees can have a 3% raise but insist on denying a similar raise to school system employees.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
School Board Defers Action on Budget
In yet another year of battle between the County Commission and School Board, the Board voted unanimously last night to defer action on its proposed budget. The Board had previously presented a budget to the Commission that asked for funding for an additional $5 million in needs over what the Commission had previously indicated it would pay.
Not surprisingly, the County Commission is refusing to fund the School Board's budget because to do so would require a small property tax increase.
The Board and staff deferred action to take more time to consider the budget before sending it back to the County Commission.
While items such as textbooks and a small raise for teachers and classified employees (their first in four years) are in the proposed budget, some NEEDS were not included.
They include:
22 teaching positions for growth
$1 million in textbooks for various subjects
1 additional school nurse, 2 social workers
$700,000 in maintenance, operations, and technology positions
$400,000 in small capital projects
It appears the district cut over $4 million from its original projections in an effort to meet the Commission halfway.
It is unclear what programs or proposed positions may be cut if the County Commission persists in its refusal to fund the Schools budget.
Not surprisingly, the County Commission is refusing to fund the School Board's budget because to do so would require a small property tax increase.
The Board and staff deferred action to take more time to consider the budget before sending it back to the County Commission.
While items such as textbooks and a small raise for teachers and classified employees (their first in four years) are in the proposed budget, some NEEDS were not included.
They include:
22 teaching positions for growth
$1 million in textbooks for various subjects
1 additional school nurse, 2 social workers
$700,000 in maintenance, operations, and technology positions
$400,000 in small capital projects
It appears the district cut over $4 million from its original projections in an effort to meet the Commission halfway.
It is unclear what programs or proposed positions may be cut if the County Commission persists in its refusal to fund the Schools budget.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Steve Brown Calls for Recorded Meetings
Says he "assumed" all meetings were recorded...now, he's asking for a resolution to make it so.
Kim Venable on SEC Football
and how to actually behave like a NORMAL person and still LOVE football...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Moser to Schools: You aren't getting the $ we know you need
County Commission Budget Chair Kirk Moser has essentially told the School Board that his committee won't be approving their budget -- which includes funds for new textbooks and the first salary increase for teachers and classified employees in four years. All while the Commission has taken money from the school appropriation in recent years and refuses to consider even an incremental property tax increase.
County Com. Jerry Stone: Too Bad for Schools
County Commissioner Jerry Stone has suggested that the School Board is ignorant of the current economic climate and tells them it's too bad they want money for things like textbooks and teachers.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The details on the Schools Budget
The School Board met the County Commission halfway and cut about $6 million from its initial request. Now, they're asking the Commission to fully-fund a budget that is nearly $6 million over what the Commission has previously said it wants to spend.
Here are some details from Schools Director Del Phillips on what the proposed budget includes:
Last night the County Budget Committee voted to send the General Purpose Budget adopted by the School Board on August 6 back for further review. The Board requested $5.7 million in additional funding from the County Commission, bringing our total General Purpose Budget request to $194.5 million.
The requested budget included $6.2 million in required spending increases which included:
. A step raise for teachers..
A 1.6% increase on BEP portion of teachers' salaries..
12 teaching positions..
A 7 % medical insurance increase (classified insurance)..
School Bus Purchases (school share)..
Funding to replace 12 year old Literature textbooks..
Funding to replace the 8 year old Family & Consumer Science textbooks..
Additional funding to help cover the increased cost of diesel fuel.
The requested budget also included $1.9 million in additional needs identified by the School Board, including:.
A 3% increase (step increase plus 1% to scale) for Classified Employees (who last received a raise in the2008-09 school year..
An additional increase for Certified Employees (in order to grant all school system employees a 3 percent raise to match what is included in the county budget for county employees.).
An increase in funding for instructional allocations intended to reduce or replace school fees.
Here are some details from Schools Director Del Phillips on what the proposed budget includes:
Last night the County Budget Committee voted to send the General Purpose Budget adopted by the School Board on August 6 back for further review. The Board requested $5.7 million in additional funding from the County Commission, bringing our total General Purpose Budget request to $194.5 million.
The requested budget included $6.2 million in required spending increases which included:
. A step raise for teachers..
A 1.6% increase on BEP portion of teachers' salaries..
12 teaching positions..
A 7 % medical insurance increase (classified insurance)..
School Bus Purchases (school share)..
Funding to replace 12 year old Literature textbooks..
Funding to replace the 8 year old Family & Consumer Science textbooks..
Additional funding to help cover the increased cost of diesel fuel.
The requested budget also included $1.9 million in additional needs identified by the School Board, including:.
A 3% increase (step increase plus 1% to scale) for Classified Employees (who last received a raise in the2008-09 school year..
An additional increase for Certified Employees (in order to grant all school system employees a 3 percent raise to match what is included in the county budget for county employees.).
An increase in funding for instructional allocations intended to reduce or replace school fees.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
County Commission Committee Meets Tonight
The Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Feasibility meets tonight at 5PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin to discuss, among other items, the School Board's proposed budget.
Monday, August 8, 2011
School Board Asks for Fully Funded Budget
In the face of a proposed "cap" on school spending by the County Commission, the Sumner County School Board has proposed to ask the Commission for a fully-funded budget, including a 3% raise for teachers.
There appears to be a $12 million difference between the School Board's proposal and the County Commission's "limit."
A special committee of the Commission meets tonight to discuss the Board's proposal.
There appears to be a $12 million difference between the School Board's proposal and the County Commission's "limit."
A special committee of the Commission meets tonight to discuss the Board's proposal.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
4 Sumner Schools Named "High Priority"
Rucker-Stewart, Shafer, White House Middle Schools and Benny Bills Elementary all named to state's "watch list."
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