Forsythe Under Fire

Former Alderman Garry Forsythe, who supposedly "ran" for Mayor in 2012 in what many suspect was an attempt to split votes and ensure a Scott Foster re-election, is now under fire for his $48,500 proposed city salary in the Mayor's "Central Administration Budget."

Forsythe joined the city last year and worked a full week before any Aldermen were formally informed of his being on payroll.  The arrangement corroborates a rumor going around during the election that Foster would offer Forsythe a job in exchange for Forsythe entering the Mayor's race. 

Forsythe never really campaigned, didn't put up too many signs, and raised little money in his campaign.  Still, his 8% of the vote may have been enough to keep Tommy Elsten from winning the Mayor's race. 

Now, Alderman Matt Stamper is challenging both Forsythe's arrangement with the City and Foster's proposed 30% pay increase for himself. 

The discussion in the full Board should be quite interesting. 

Foster, Others May See Big Raises

Mayor Scott Foster has proposed a 30% increase in his own salary and 5-30% increases in other city employee salaries for the 2013-14 budget.

While many believe the salary of $86,600 currently paid to Foster is too low, it's not clear if there is broad support to bring the pay up to $112,000 -- just $1000 more than Gallatin Mayor JoAnn Graves earns.

Foster says the raises are needed to keep the city competitive with other cities in Middle Tennessee.

The plan requires approval from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Sumner County Commission Meets Tonight

The Sumner County Commission will meet tonight at 7 PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin.

The agenda is relatively unspectacular and should produce little controversy.

Library Controversy Gets a Committee

The controversy over who owns (and who wants to own) the Hendersonville Library now has a County Commission Committee.

The issue now seems to be that neither body actually wants the Library.  The County has not properly funded the library, and the City handles maintenance costs.  The City seems unwilling to fund much more than the $50,000 they now contribute.  And so, who will get the library?  It's worth noting that private and City funds paid for much of the construction of the library.  And the property has never been deeded to the County, so it would seem to be fairly easy for the County to just leave it to the City. 

Absent a tax increase at the City level, however, it seems unlikely that the City could operate the Library at its current paltry state of operating hours. 

Of course, the County could leave the situation as it is and continue to contribute funds to the Hendersonville Library in order to ensure that every city in the county has an operating Library.

Stay tuned as Library Battle 2013 heats up this summer.

Sumner Schools 2013-14 PROPOSED Budget

Last night, Director of Schools Del Phillips unveiled his budget proposal for 2013-14.  The budget was unveiled in a presentation to the Board and members of the public who wished to attend.  The event was dubbed a workshop and allowed for a Q&A session before the formal vote on the proposal scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st. 

Here are the highlights:

The budget will require NO NEW REVENUE from the County Commission in order to be fully funded. 

This is for several reasons:  local sales tax revenues are up, increasing the money available for schools, the state BEP allocation was higher than normal, the state allocated SOME money for purchase/upgrade of technology, and the Administration has been conservatively managing existing resources. 

It's worth noting that the budget is NOT the "ideal Sumner Schools budget" and there are still gaps in technology, teaching positions, salaries, etc.  BUT, the budget adds 11 new teachers (long overdue) and increases allocation to technology beyond the state allocation.  It also includes a pay range adjustment for bookkeepers which will mean an average increase in pay of about 50 cents an hour for the system's bookkeepers. 

Other jobs will need range adjustments going forward.

All employees are slated to receive a 1% raise.  Again, not enough ... but a forward step after many years in which there were no raises at all.

The budget does ask the County Commission to cover roughly $3.4 million in capital costs, including the purchase of buses and textbooks. 

If dollars are appropriated wisely, there should be no need for a tax increase to fund this budget. 

Certainly, future years should see proposals that will ask for additional funds to move the schools from an "adequate" budget to one that no longer includes student fees for basic course materials, excessive fundraising to pay for essential supplies, and a lack of access to technology.  This budget takes a small first step in that direction. 

Tune in May 21st for the Board's vote and then watch the County Commission process starting in June to see if this basic, sound budget passes OR if there's yet another budget battle. 

Sumner County Commission Committees to Meet

Several committees of the Sumner County Commission will meet tonight beginning at 5PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin. Among the items up for discussion -- the "gifting" of the Hendersonville Public Library to the City of Hendersonville.

Higher Taxes, More Coffee Coming to Hendersonville

In a sign that Hendersonville may be turning hipster, Mayor Scott Foster has announced that higher taxes will be discussed and that a third Starbucks is coming to town.  Hipsters don't admit to getting their coffee from Starbucks, of course, but absent an acceptable local alternative, Starbucks works for the ironically bearded bunch. 

In other news from the State of the City Address, it seems light rail or a bus system of some sort may be coming soon and the city should be getting some form of Dog Park. 

Hendersonville to Host State Lacrosse Semi-finals

The undefeated Hendersonville Spartans Lacrosse team will host Soddy Daisy in the state semi finals -- details here.

Frank "Free Ride" Freels Announces for Re-Election

County Commissioner Frank Freels, a steadfast and outspoken opponent of properly-funded schools, announced this week he's seeking re-election to his seat on the Commission.

This is the same Frank Freels who reportedly left at least one County Commission meeting with a free ride from the Emergency Management Agency. No word yet on whether Freels reimbursed the County for the time and mileage or whether this is a regular service extended to County Commissioners. 

Still no official word on challengers to Freels, but it seems likely a pro-schools candidate will emerge in a strong position to challenge him.

County May Give Hendersonville Library to Hendersonville

Despite throwing a fit about not getting enough credit for the library in Hendersonville for which the County provides some funds, County Commissioners are now exploring the idea of just giving the Hendersonville Public Library to the City of Hendersonville.

The building is recorded on the books of both entities -- which gives both an audit finding in annual state audits.  The City provides maintenance funds, including grounds keeping, and does significant work at the library.  However, the County provides staff salaries and pays for some books, at a total cost of around $500,000 a year.  Significant private funds were raised to even build the facility in Hendersonville and some citizens consistently clamor for longer hours and more services at the library.

It's not clear whether the City is able or willing to absorb the cost of taking full control of the library or if the City could improve library operations.  Commission Chair Merrol Hyde would like the issue to be resolved by July 1st, however, in order to avoid an audit finding in the 2013-14 budget year.

A Budget Battle Summary - 2011 to Present

It seems like it's always been going on.  A budget battle between the School Board who wants more money for schools and the County Commission who resists providing the funds.  With a school system that operates with old technology, underpaid teachers and staff, numerous portables, and PTOs and parents chipping in at least 15% MORE than what the County allocates, it seems hard to argue that the Board's recent requests for more money represent excess.  In fact, in the 2011 negotiations, the Commission found only $300,000 in expenses it deemed excessive in the scope of a $180 million budget.

That said, this article attempts to summarize the key turning points in the budget fights of recent years as we head into budget season again, starting with the Board's budget-related meeting in mid-May. 


2011

It started with a proposed CAP on school spending artificially imposed by the County Commission BEFORE the school system's budget was considered by the School Board. The School Board didn't like that idea and requested a budget that was $12 million over the cap and that would have reduced or eliminated many school fees.

After the Commission rejected this initial budget, the Board cut more than $6 million from the request and sent it back.  Commissioners Jerry Stone and Kirk Moser balked at this and suggested the schools try again.  The School Board then deferred action on the budget, taking some time to consider the most judicious cuts. After mulling things over a bit, the Board then narrowly decided to ask new Director of Schools Del Phillips to propose cuts to get much closer to the Commission's suggested budget number.

Layoffs of school employees were predicted and a centralization of bookkeepers which would have cost at least 20 jobs was considered, then rejected.  With projections growing dire, County Executive Anthony Holt joined the chorus of County leaders calling for less funding for schools.

The Board then adopted a "cuts budget" that met the County Commission's spending requirement. It was pointed out that a property tax increase of about $5 a month for the average property owner in Sumner would more than cover the School System's budget needs.  Some County Commissioners, however, were unwilling to entertain such an increase.

The "cuts budget" - narrowly passed by the Board, was kicked back to the County Commission, where members of key committees were changing just in time for key votes.

Both the County Commission's Education Committee and Budget Committee approved the cuts budget.

The County Commission then sent the Budget back to the School Board, requesting that the Board find a way to NOT cut jobs ... After the Board initially requested $12 million more than the Commission had allocated and after a month of fighting, the Commission finally gave in and offered $500,000 more to schools so that 40 jobs could be saved (which is not much money per job, really).  Textbooks, raises, elimination of fees, and added faculty for growth were all cut out.

In October, the Board indicated that the 2012 year would also require more funding -- and be more problematic to fix if the Commission did not come up with additional funds. Then, in November, the Commission put a Wheel Tax on the March ballot.

2012

With 2011 in the books and 2012 presenting a new opportunity (and a Wheel Tax vote), conditions did not improve.  In fact, as budget time drew near, things got worse. 

By February, the groundwork was being laid for what would become the 2012 School Budget Battle.

Then, there was a shortfall in anticipated state funds.

Not surprisingly, in March, voters rejected the Wheel Tax. Following the Wheel Tax vote, Commissioners Jerry Stone and Jim Vaughn indicated the schools would need to rely on "other" sources of revenue -- because no taxes would be increased.

The School system then considered outsourcing of custodial staff. And rejected due to safety and management concerns, a small initial savings, and no promise of sustained savings to the district.

In early June, the School Board reviewed an initial budget proposal -- showing a $7 million shortfall.

An initial rhetorical standoff led to discussion of cuts.

The Board then passed, earlier than ever, its budget -- with a $7 million shortfall (on June 19) asking the County Commission to fully fund it. Then, the County Commission suggested that the Board deny raises to employees for the 5th year in a row.

On July 10, the County Commission's Budget Committee denied the School Board's budget request.

Then, the County Commission passed a General Budget that meant the schools would be forced to cut $7.6 million from their initial proposal -- BEFORE the Board had considered any options.

Then, early August saw the School Board take a stand -- demanding their budget be fully-funded.  And if not, school would be out ... indefinitely.

The County Commission was not amused.

Then, more gimmicks and trickery from the Commission.

Finally, after the Board lost the standoff, made some cuts, and deferred some capital needs, school started.  And the County Commission put another Wheel Tax on the ballot.  It failed, of course, but got twice as much support (by percentages) as the March edition had. 

And now, we're in 2013.  Commission leaders are again promising no new revenue for schools.  The School System needs state-required technology upgrades and new teachers to keep up with growth.  Plus, there are employees who haven't had a raise in 6 years now.  Basic school functions (copy machines, supplies, even some teacher salaries) remain paid by parents and PTOs through fees and fundraisers.

Will the School Board pass an excellence-based budget?  And is there any chance the Commission would fund such a measure?

Stay tuned.  Summer's just getting started.

Sumner County Commission Budget Committee Meets Tonight

The Budget Committee of the Sumner County Commission meets tonight at 5:30 PM at the County Administration Building in Gallatin.

They will review a couple of budget amendments from the School Board and ostensibly here at least some preliminary discussion regarding the school system's budget.  The School Board is slated to take up their budget at a Special Called meeting on May 14th.

Under-funded Schools Place Burden of Basics on Parents

Without millions in school fees and millions more in PTO fundraisers, the Sumner County Schools simply could not operate.  That's the finding from a review of monies collected through school fees and an analysis of PTO expenditures across Sumner County.

Focusing on the fees, which total $1.8 million a year, the Star News and reporter Jennifer Easton talked with parents, principals, board members, and the Director of Schools. 

The bottom line:  Parents pay fees that end up covering basic costs -- like supplies for class, workbooks, computers, and even the salaries of some teachers. 

If you take into account the contributions from PTOs, it appears that parents are contributing 15-20% above the total dollars allocated to schools by the County Commission.  And that's just to operate the current program, which many consider inadequate in terms of technology, school safety, and salaries for teachers and staff. 

The School Board meets in Special Session on May 14th to discuss the 2013-14 budget.  That will start a process that will likely end with fighting in the County Commission.  It's not clear whether the Board will submit an excellence-based budget that will reduce or eliminate fees, fund technology, raise teacher pay, and move toward eliminating unsafe portable classrooms.  Even if they did, it seems an anti-school majority on the County Commission, led by Kirk Moser, Jerry Stone, Jim Vaughn, and Merrol Hyde will continue to block improved funding for schools. 

If baseball's not enough summer entertainment for you, turn to the School Board and County Commission meetings - they should be full of fireworks and ultimately, disappointment.

Mike Towle: Raging Liberal?

Well, that's the word from County Commissioner Jerry Stone.

Towle writes all about how Stone wrote a letter calling Towle a liberal.

Towle felt so offended he was compelled to defend himself.

Anyone who has read Mike's writing in praise of Debra Maggart, for example, knows he's no liberal.

Moreover, this type of name-calling by Stone hints at a certain level of desperation.

Conservatives and Liberals in Sumner County both support excellent public schools.  A solid majority of the community has repeatedly attended County Commission meetings, made phone calls, and sent emails. 

None of this has swayed Stone and his buddies who have consistently opposed school funding.  So, now they are resorting to name-calling.  They attempt to divide and drive wedges rather than respond to the will of the people. 

Perhaps they hope the distraction about left vs. right will take away focus from what's been going wrong: The School Board and Commission can't get together and agree on what's best for schools.  Our children and our entire community are held hostage while adults fight to gain the political upper hand. 

And now, schoolyard name-calling has entered the mix.  That means there's not much hope for the coming budget cycle. 

How much more needs to be said about our community's desire for excellent schools? About the desire on the part of many to pay just a little bit more in order to have a school system that lives up to its potential for greatness?

Would Stone not be better served by presenting a reasonable budget alternative that helps move our schools (and community) forward?

Elections are coming in 2014.  And the budget battle this year has the potential to make Stone and others look bad -- unless they do what they need to do to set our schools on a path toward excellence.

So, expect more name-calling and desperation.