No Breakthrough at State, Metro Schools Meeting: Mayes

“No change in status.” That’s the word from the Metro school board chair, after meeting this afternoon with Tennessee’s top education official. The meeting came as the state is set to withhold millions of dollars from Metro, as punishment for ignoring a state order.

The state told Nashville’s school board to approve the charter applicant Great Hearts Academies after an appeal. The school board repeatedly refused, despite warnings from its own lawyer. State officials say they couldn’t allow Metro to flout the law, and will withhold $3.4 million from the school system next month, potentially forcing layoffs.

School Board Chair Cheryl Mayes met this afternoon with Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman, after saying she’d like to find a way restore the funding. In a statement Mayes gave thanks for the meeting, but says it didn’t change much. And she says talks with the state will continue.

Mayes’ Complete Statement:

We appreciate Commissioner Kevin Huffman’s willingness to sit down in a spirit of concern for Nashville’s students. It was a good meeting based on our mutual commitment to improving student outcomes. We have no change in status at this time. We will continue to talk with the State.