Schools Seek Adequate Funding

The Chair of the Sumner County School Board (Don Long) has indicated that a 41 cent property tax increase could provide needed funds to keep the school system on-track. In fact, according to Long, the funds would not only address immediate needs, they would allow the school system to meet future needs and address concerns like inadequate technology and a persistent disparity in which students in the wealthier parts of the county have access to resources not available to those in the rest of the county.

Some on the School Board have proposed eliminating student fees for courses -- but this would require additional revenue.

The recent clash between the County Commission and the School Board resulted in a temporary solution of using one-time money in the County's reserves to pay for ongoing expenses. This means that next year's budget will have an even larger hole - at least the $5 million we saw this year plus the additional expenses that come along with the 300-500 new students Sumner County has been adding on an annual basis.

While Long specifically mentions a property tax increase, others are suggesting a wheel tax increase. Commissioner Jerry Stone says he opposes any tax increase, but would be open to putting a referendum on the ballot in March of 2012.