What Happened Last Night...

...Or, will Sumner County be back in school anytime soon?

The short answer is: NO.

Here's the breakdown:

The County Commission spent a long time talking about how individual commissioners support schools.  However, numerous proposals were put forth to reallocate revenue, raise taxes a very small amount, or in other ways give the schools $3 million to $4 million of the $7.6 million they are seeking.

Ultimately, the Commission engaged in an accounting gimmick, transferring $2.2 million they were giving schools anyway in the form of capital outlay (buildings) to the schools general fund.  This means the schools technically are $2.2 million closer to their goal .... BUT ... it also means $2.2 million worth of capital projects (buildings or additions to buildings) won't get done.  So, although some commissioners may claim they gave the schools some money, the schools actually get a NET ZERO from the Commission's move.

There is no word yet on when or if the School Board will meet again.  Indications from many Board members are that the County's actions are unacceptable and will not lead to an opening of schools any time soon. 

The Commissioners who actually voted for proposals that would have provided new money to schools (though not all the Board is requesting) were:

Ben Harris, Baker Ring, Chris Hughes, Shawn Utley, Paul Decker, David Kimbrough, Michael Guthrie, and Paul Goode.  Trish LeMarbre was not able to attend, but sent a letter indicating her support for new revenue for schools and has voted to raise revenue for schools in the past.  It should be noted that Hughes said he supports more revenue, but opposes a property tax increase to get there. 

The remaining members of the body consistently voted NO to additional funding for schools.  Commissioners even rejected a proposal to cut their own pay (a total of $144,000 a year) and dedicate that money to schools. 

David Kimbrough was among the most passionate advocates for additional funding and noted that he didn't have anywhere to be until 8:30 this morning, so he could stay with his fellow commissioners all night until they found a solution.  He pointed out that the full School Board was in attendance as well and this would be a good opportunity to have an open, public discussion of the County's priorities.  The Commission did not seem interested in that proposal. 

Paul Goode noted that the Director of Schools had warned the Commission that if they didn't solve the funding problem with last year's budget, there'd be a crisis this year.  Goode said that Commissioners pledged to work with the Board on a long-term solution last year...and have since failed to live up to that pledge. 

Perhaps most interesting, at the start of the meeting, Commission Chair Merrol Hyde asked the hundreds in attendance who supported the schools budget including a property tax increase.  Nearly the entire audience stood and raised their hands.  When he asked he did not support the budget or a tax increase, a handful of people raised their hands.

In speech after speech from Commissioners, they pointed out that an overwhelming majority of their constituents had asked them to fund schools with whatever it takes, including a tax increase.  Then, 15 of those Commissioners proceeded to vote time and again against proposals to fund the schools.