Budget concerns raised to school board

Metro School Board members met with the City Council’s Education Committee last night, where budget concerns seemed to be on everyone’s mind.

The sticking point for Councilman Jerry Maynard was the cost of the rezoning plan the board passed 5 to 4 in July. That plan calls for neighborhood schools, but would allow students currently bused to other schools to continue there. It also closes four schools while opening two others.

Maynard says the plan will cost Metro more than projected.

“I don’t see how you’re going to pay for it. And if you’re looking for a place by which to have some cost savings, I suggest you suspend the rezoning plan.”

Maynard says part of the reason the plan’s cost is unclear is no one knows how many students will keep taking the bus to other districts.

Interim Schools Director Chris Henson says that’s true, because parents won’t decide which zone to send their students to until spring. He says the rezoning plan will cost around 4 million dollars.

The school board began its fiscal year with some 52 million in undesignated reserves, which can be used to cover a deficit.