‘If we don’t redo the funding, a formula is just a formula’: Tennessee gets feedback on the future of school funding

Throughout the fall, education officials have been asking for feedback on how to revamp the formula used to generate and distribute school dollars.

And in town halls across the state, one point was made again and again: It’s not just a new formula that’s needed, but more money.

Gov. Bill Lee has promised a “rigorous review” of how education funds are divided by districts around the state. For decades, lawmakers, educators and parents alike have expressed disapproval over the current model, otherwise known as the Basic Education Program (BEP). The state Department of Education says it hopes to create a more equitable formula centered on students.

During eight town halls, community members made their cases as to what a student-centered formula would look like. Some said they’d like to see additional dollars go toward supporting students living in poverty, English learners and students with disabilities. Others want more investment in teachers, school nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals and psychologists.

More: Tennessee K-12 Public Education Funding Engagement homepage

Speakers from rural and urban districts said the current formula doesn’t adequately fund their school sizes. Increased funding in arts and music education, college and career readiness, pre-kindergarten were also common responses.

But many who spoke expressed concern that Tennessee ranks 44th in the nation on student funding.

“We have some of the lowest funding per student in the country, if we want the outcome of high level education, we need to make sure that we have a high level of funding to go along with it,” Robert Taylor said at a town hall in Hendersonville in late October.

They also voiced skepticism that, without more money, the state will continue to underserve its students.

“While we’re speaking about what want to and what our hopes could be, I don’t see how we can make that happen without adding more funding for public education,” said Gisela Guerrero at the town hall in Memphis. Guerrero is an organizer with the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope.

“We need something more. What we have as of now is not sufficient. We can’t just cut the pie in different ways.”

At a town hall in Pulaski, Jackie Pope agreed: “If we don’t redo the funding, a formula is just a formula,” She added. “Right now we just have part of the pie.”

But Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn says it’s ultimately up to the state legislature to determine whether the state should  invest more money into schools.

“Those will be decisions they will make. What this process will do is provide that list of recommendations,” Schwinn said at a school funding town hall in Chattanooga.

Schwinn says she hopes to finalize a new spending proposal before January, when the legislative session begins.

Although the town halls are finished, there’s still time to submit public comments. Email [email protected].