Metro Schools Director Committed to Classrooms

The Metro Nashville School District is bracing for an estimated $35 million shortfall next school year. What’s helped bail the district out of similar budget situations isn’t an option anymore.

Last night the state teachers’ union agreed to proposed changes in the way the state assesses teacher performance. Governor Phil Bredesen has said such changes are vital to positioning the state to receive hundreds of millions of federal ‘Race to the Top’ dollars.

Wednesday morning Tennessee lawmakers begin debating the most controversial of part of Governor Phil Bredesen’s education proposals – using student test scores to help determine a teacher’s pay. Currently schools may not use such data for salaries or tenure decisions.

Members of the Metro Council’s Black Caucus heard from unhappy business owners last night about the city’s new minority contracting policy.

Tennessee lawmakers today voted to postpone any implementation of the Voter Confidence Act until 2012. The law was supposed to require a switch paper ballots this year.

LP Field passed a critical hurdle to hosting World Cup soccer matches. The city’s top officials gathered around a TV at the stadium Tuesday awaiting the announcement.

A public hearing Monday night on the planned downtown convention center attracted supporters and opponents alike.

The Metro Council had its final question and answer session Monday night before starting deliberations on a new downtown convention center.

State lawmakers sat through hours of briefings Monday prior to the start of a special session on education reform. Governor Phil Bredesen says to be competitive for millions of federal education dollars, Tennessee must take significant steps.

A trucking company near Carthage has closed its doors and laid off about 80 workers. K & K Trucking delivered throughout the South and up the east coast.