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Schools Compete With Departments For Cash
School Board Makes 2nd Budget Presentation
POSTED: 5:20 pm CDT March 14,
2008
UPDATED: 7:15 pm CDT March 14,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville’s mayor heard more facts and figures on Friday from Metro schools on what's needed to move ahead.
Video: Metro Schools Compete With Other Departments For CashFriday marked the system’s second presentation to Mayor Karl Dean for its budget."We’re in competition for people who want ambulances and police cars and fire trucks and more sewer lines," said Metro schools spokesman Woody McMillin.Metro’s school system is in a contest with police, rescue and other city departments when it comes to money. The money the schools requested would maintain school services and fund mandated programs.Metro School Board members met with Dean and his staff to outline their needs.The current budget is $597 million. The school board said needs another $16 million more for the 2007-2008 school year.A large share of the money will pay for additional social workers, special education and English language teachers for children entering the system who aren’t proficient in English, and teachers said the number keeps growing."But you also have costs of materials and classroom supplies," McMillin said.Twelve percent of Metro schools’ population is not fluent in English, which presents challenges in money and expenses outside the classroom."Social services that you have to have in place to help families and that impact what goes on in the classroom," McMillin said.One hundred fifty teachers are needed to keep pace with the numbers of children who cannot speak English, which amounts to almost $8 million."We began last November looking at our entire operation, looking at literally every program, every school, what’s working and what’s not working," McMillin said.The budget grows each year with the city’s population."I think that most people want to believe that there is some fat or some waste or some materials that need to be trimmed, and I think that our school district probably operates one of the leanest operations," McMillin said.The budget will now go to the City Council for its approval. The process could take up to three months.
Video: Metro Schools Compete With Other Departments For CashFriday marked the system’s second presentation to Mayor Karl Dean for its budget."We’re in competition for people who want ambulances and police cars and fire trucks and more sewer lines," said Metro schools spokesman Woody McMillin.Metro’s school system is in a contest with police, rescue and other city departments when it comes to money. The money the schools requested would maintain school services and fund mandated programs.Metro School Board members met with Dean and his staff to outline their needs.The current budget is $597 million. The school board said needs another $16 million more for the 2007-2008 school year.A large share of the money will pay for additional social workers, special education and English language teachers for children entering the system who aren’t proficient in English, and teachers said the number keeps growing."But you also have costs of materials and classroom supplies," McMillin said.Twelve percent of Metro schools’ population is not fluent in English, which presents challenges in money and expenses outside the classroom."Social services that you have to have in place to help families and that impact what goes on in the classroom," McMillin said.One hundred fifty teachers are needed to keep pace with the numbers of children who cannot speak English, which amounts to almost $8 million."We began last November looking at our entire operation, looking at literally every program, every school, what’s working and what’s not working," McMillin said.The budget grows each year with the city’s population."I think that most people want to believe that there is some fat or some waste or some materials that need to be trimmed, and I think that our school district probably operates one of the leanest operations," McMillin said.The budget will now go to the City Council for its approval. The process could take up to three months.
Previous Stories:
- March 5, 2008: Budget Cuts Could Cost NFD 200 Positions
- March 4, 2008: School Board Unveils $614M Budget To Mayor
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