Metro Schools Chief Says He Won’t Balance Budget With Teacher Cuts

Metro Schools Superintendent Shawn Joseph said at a board meeting Tuesday that he won’t balance the district’s budget shortfall by cutting teachers or funds for students. That’s despite the fact that Metro Schools needs to slash $17 million from next year’s budget.

Joseph says that even in challenging financial times the district will not “make excuses,” and it will not “move backwards” on its educational gains. He says t
his means preserving school budgets and looking for cuts that don’t impact teachers and employees with mass layoffs.

“We will not solve this deficit on the backs of employees who don’t make lots of dollars,” he says.

Regardless, the belt-tightening means no raises for teachers or Metro Schools employees and a halt on a plan to expand literacy initiatives and social and emotional learning programs across the district.

Joseph and the other board members plan to meet once more before reconvening to vote on the slimmed-down budget on May 22.