As Metro Departments Face Cuts, Dean Asks Schools Where to Expand

As Nashville Mayor Karl Dean looks to cut budgets of Metro departments across the city, today he asked Metro Schools officials where they need more funding.

Interim schools director Chris Henson handed the mayor a baseline budget of $614 million.

DEAN: “Will this budget be adequate to address what the state has asked you to address?”

HENSON: “No sir. I don’t believe that this budget would be adequate to address those areas.”

A performance audit conducted by the state, released last month was critical of the district’s parental involvement, professional development for teachers and failure to meet federal benchmarks. For several years, the district hasn’t met some standards under No Child Left Behind – especially when it comes to poor kids and English Language Learners. That has the school system under close supervision of state officials.

Henson gave the mayor a list of needs totaling 13-million dollars that the Metro Council could add to the budget, including nearly 8-million dollars for translators, math tutors and special education assistants.

Dean says he’s committed to funding schools but asks that the board of education take a second look at buildings that are now running under capacity. He says shuttering several schools could help the district save money as it looks to focus on problem areas.