The prospect of overhauling the organizational structure for universities under the Tennessee Board of Regents has some asking if it’s time to make other changes, like dropping “state” from Middle Tennessee State University.
Nashville’s Teacher Retention Woes Trigger Call For More Salary, Less Retirement
Listen The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce focused much of its annual report card on teacher retention and recruitment in Metro Schools. One novel suggestion would let new teachers increase their salary in lieu of other benefits.
Tennessee Troopers Say It’s Time To Make Drivers Of Heavy-Duty Trucks Buckle Up
Listen The Tennessee Highway Patrol wants to close a little-known loophole in the state’s seatbelt law that exempts drivers and passengers in heavy-duty trucks and SUVs. These are vehicles with a gross weight between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds, including a Ford F-250 Super Duty and some Chevy Surburbans and Lincoln Navigators.
Nashville’s Largest Employers To Phase Out Benefits For Domestic Partners
Listen Two of Nashville’s largest private employers plan to do away with benefits for domestic partners starting in 2017. Vanderbilt University and hospital chain HCA say they will no longer cover unwed couples. Employers around the nation are changing their policies following the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.
November Homes Sales Show Why Some Nashville Buyers Are Getting Priced Out
Listen November was a ho-hum period for the Nashville housing market compared to the pace of sales earlier this year, representing the first monthly dip in closings for 2015. But the median price is still running $15,000 above last year, and potential buyers feel they’ve reached a tipping point.
Researchers Deem Tennessee’s Achievement School District Ineffective So Far
Listen A third-party look at Tennessee’s Achievement School District, published Tuesday, finds that the state-takeover of struggling schools has been ineffective so far. Researchers from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College have been monitoring progress since the ASD’s creation through the federal Race to the Top grant program.
Alexander Hails No Child Left Behind Rewrite As Historic Devolution Of D.C. Power
Listen Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is hailing a rewrite of the expired No Child Left Behind standards as the largest “devolution of power in 25 years,” citing a Wall Street Journal editorial. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation this week.
A Priority For Nashville’s New Mayor: More Downtown Daycare
Listen Nashville’s new mayor wants downtown developers to consider the growing need for daycare in the central business district. Just two childcare centers exist in the core of the city where 57,000 people now work, up from 46,000 in 2008.
UT Chancellor Under Fire For Campus Guidance On Inclusive Holiday Parties
Two committee chairmen in the Tennessee Senate are calling for the resignation of Jimmy Cheek, the chancellor of UT Knoxville. The request follows the university’s diversity office issuing guidance to students and faculty, warning them against holding Christmas parties with any religious or cultural emphasis. It even discouraged secret Santa games.
Metro Schools To Boost Compensation Amid Bus Driver Shortage
Starting January 1, Metro schools will increase pay for bus drivers and guarantee that they can work at least 40 hours a week. This comes as the school system is seeing high turnover among drivers and having a hard time finding new ones. Stephen Smith has been with the district for a decade and says […]
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