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.

Over the last couple of years, the district has stayed afloat in tight times by pulling tens of millions of dollars from reserve funds. By June those funds will have been drained to the point where legally Metro can’t take out anymore. State law requires a certain amount be saved for emergencies.

Last year, even with a dip into reserves, 150 teachers were cut. Director of Schools, Jesse Register, says while they’re in a much tougher situation this year, he wants to avoid doing that again.

“Classrooms. That’s what we have to protect is classrooms so we have to look at everything else. Everything else is vulnerable.”

A drop in sales tax revenue coupled with insurance, pension fund, and salary increases are behind the estimated $35 million shortfall. School officials say they plan on working closely with Mayor Karl Dean on this difficult budget.

Here’s the tentative budget process (dates are subject to change):

February 16, 2010 – MNPS Administration concludes budget deliberations
February 23, 2010 – First Draft Budget presented to School Board
April 13, 2010 – Board Approval of Budget Proposal
April, 2010 – Mayor’s Budget Hearing
May, 2010 – Metro Council Budget Hearing
June, 2010 – Metro Council Budget Approval