Nashville schools to wait on education funding lawsuit
Metro school board members were left champing at the bit Tuesday after the board's attorney told the group it should wait until the end of the month before making a decision on suing the state for education funding.
From conversations at the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board governance committee, the majority of the members seem ready to file litigation.
Board attorney Corey Harkey, however, told the board she'd like to wait for possible upcoming law changes detailed in Gov. Bill Haslam's budget. Board member Will Pinkston added the law changes all the time, but was OK with waiting.
"I'd at least like the law to be set for a year," Harkey said.
Board Chairwoman Sharon Gentry has said the group has expressed interest in joining education funding lawsuits against the state and told The Tennessean editorial board recently there are four options the board is considering.
Nashville schools may join lawsuits over funding
The board would be joining other suits against the state tied to Basic Education Program funding if litigation is filed. So far, several Hamilton County-area schools and Shelby County Schools are suing the state.
The Basic Education Program, or BEP, as it is most commonly called, is the cost to the state in providing for an individual child's education. That cost could include resources such as teacher salaries or classroom technology.
This year Haslam plans to invest $261 million in new money for public education, with $104.6 million dedicated to giving teachers raises. It's the second year of substantial increases to education funding statewide. Some of that money will be used to provide for English language learners and an added month of teacher insurance.
But many say the formula for dishing out money for education statewide is underfunded — some estimates say by $500 million. The state, however, has used a different funding model since 2007, and the Tennessee General Assembly this year has moved forward with a bill to formally adopt that model.
It's unclear what that will mean for education funding statewide, Tennessee Department of Education officials have told legislators.
Reach Jason Gonzales at 615-259-8047 and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.