SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. – The Sumner County Executive Committee has called an emergency meeting of the Sumner County Commission on Monday to discuss the budget issues that have postponed the start of the school year indefinitely.
It's official, there's no school in Sumner County
on Monday. Sumner County Executive Anthony Holt is called the School Board's
decision to postpone the first day unacceptable. That's why he's called an
emergency meeting for County Commissioners on Monday to finalize the budget.
"We understand the classroom is the most important...but
this year we won't be able to shield the classroom and I think that's what
drove us to this decision," Dr. Del Phillips, Director of Sumner County
Schools, said.
The Sumner County School Board has put the ball
squarely in the County Commissioner's court. It's a tactic that seems to be
working.
"I'm a parent so I want to do the right thing but I want to
be smart about what I'm doing," Commissioner Chris Hughes said.
The school district is asking Commissioners for
$7.6 million more than last year. After years of deep budget cuts, school
leaders say any more will force teacher layoffs and directly impact the quality
of education.
"It's been my opinion that the majority of the population in
Sumner County is asking us to live within our means," Commissioner Jim Vaughn
explained.
Vaughn calls the school board's decision to delay
the start of school premature and explains there isn't enough money to fully
fund the district's request and all of their other responsibilities without a
tax increase.
"I won't vote to raise taxes," he said definitively.
Meanwhile, the often tense relationship between
both boards is leaving parents and students in limbo.
"I have five kids, they're all school age," parent Natalie
Forstman explained. We're going to be sitting around waiting...waiting on
them."
County Commissioners will meet on Monday, August 6th
at 6:30pm. Residents are encouraged to give both boards their feedback about
the budget.
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