Library Dispute Continues

A long-running dispute over who "owns" the Hendersonville Library (The County Commission/Sumner County) or the City of Hendersonville (which holds the deed) continued recently with a meeting of members of both governing bodies. 

The dispute goes back to a state audit finding noting that the County has been claiming the Library as an asset on its books despite not having a deed to the library.  In fact, though the County issued a bond to pay for a portion of the library and then passed a resolution saying it should get the deed to the library from Hendersonville, no written agreement was ever established between the two parties.  That is, NO ONE from the County carried out negotiations to get a formal written document from Hendersonville BEFORE passing a resolution and bond that obligated taxpayers to pay for a building which the County didn't own.  No one, apparently, sought to rectify the matter in the years that have passed since, either. 

Back in January, when this controversy was in its infancy, it appeared that Kirk Moser and Merrol Hyde believed the whole issue could be solved with a sign giving the County credit for its role in establishing the library. 

So, let's review: The County issued a bond for a building it didn't own and had no claim to before securing a commitment from Hendersonville officials to deed the building to the County.  The bond was issued and the County listed a facility on its books it didn't own and no one checked to see if an actual deed existed, they just referred to a resolution passed by the Commission. 

Now, the City has made an offer of a joint deed arrangement.  Will the County accept? Or will they keep fighting?

Hendersonville Medical Center to Expand

The $32 million expansion will mean more services available to local community, says HCA.

New Rules for Public Comment at Board of Aldermen Meetings

Woodcock, Sprouse, Foster and former Mayor Ausbrooks ... a drama without end, apparently.

It's right here.

Welcome to the Cracker Barrel Apartments

Well, not the Cracker Barrel Apartments, exactly, the new, fancy ones behind Cracker Barrel.

The apartments are BACK on the agenda of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen TONIGHT.

While there has been some opposition expressed recently, it seems to be much quieter than it was back in February, when the proposal was pulled from the BOMA's agenda.

The previous attempt to win approval for the project caused citizens to question both traffic issues on Indian Lake Boulevard and potential overcrowding of schools already at capacity. 

Perhaps tonight, both of those concerns will be addressed?

Teachers Skeptical of New Pay Scale

Sumner County teachers are skeptical about a new pay plan adopted by the State Board of Education and suspect it could mean lower lifetime earnings, especially with the current makeup of the Sumner County Commission. 

The plan changes the state's mandatory minimum teacher pay and would allow districts to keep the pay of some teachers stagnant for years.  While no teacher will make less than they do in the 2013-14 school year, there's no requirement that they ever make more, either. 

The state has suggested that districts differentiate teacher pay -- based on either test scores or hard to fill positions.  However, the state has provided zero new dollars to districts to assist them in boosting teacher pay. 

Sumner County's teachers are among the lowest-paid in middle Tennessee and starting salaries in Sumner lag some $6,000+ behind those in neighboring Davidson County. 

In recent years, the Sumner County Commission has balked at efforts to fund the School Board's budgets.  This has some teachers worried that the Commission will use the new pay scale as a way to demand that the Board not increase salaries.  In the past, the Board justified raises by noting that the state required certain increases for teachers.  Now, that argument is off the table. 

Fortunately, Board Chair Ted Wise has indicated he wants to see Sumner teacher salaries remain competitive. 

The Board will be tasked with developing a new pay scale in the coming months so that it may be approved the State Board and implemented in 2014-15. 

Mike Towle Takes on the County Commission

Sumner County Publications General Manager Mike Towle writes that he's "baffled" by certain things going on in Sumner County and the world.  Specifically, he mentions the school funding crises of recent memory which were followed by this year's amazingly smooth budget process.  Towle notes that 2014 is election year and that perhaps the Commissioners are on good behavior because they hope to get re-elected. 

Nevertheless, a look at past budget votes indicates that there are several County Commissioners who have been stalwart opponents of strong school funding.

Among them, Budget Chair Jerry Stone, former budget chair Kirk Moser, Jim Vaughn, Frank Freels, Paul Freels.  Others voting against school funding in 2011 and 12 include:

Steve Graves

Mike Akins

Moe Taylor

Billy Geminden

David Satterfield

Joe Matthews

Jo Skidmore

Bob Pospisil

Sometimes voting for and sometimes against school funding were Paige Brown Strong and Shawn Utley.

Voting records are permanent and cannot be escaped by one summer of "good" behavior.