Money May Not Be Answer For Metro Schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With less than two weeks until Election Day both candidates for mayor are talking education and pledging more money for Nashville schools.

Related: Special Mayoral Section | Video: Metro Schools May Be In Need Of More Than Money

Both Bob Clement and Karl Dean said they have put schools at the top of their lists of priorities and promising more funding and better pay for teachers.

But wasn't Bill Purcell also the education mayor?

“We have increased annual funding by $200 million. We have spent on capital more than $450 million. Today is my 550th school visit, and I’m a mayor who knows we have done a lot,” Purcell said.

But is more money the right answer?

Residents might be surprised at how much money taxpayers are already spending on education.

Last year, Davidson County spent more money per student than any school district in Tennessee at $9,239 per student.

But a graduation rate of 69 percent pales when compared to neighboring counties.

Williamson County spent $7,145 and graduated 97 percent of its students. Cheatham County spent $6,475 per student and graduated 94 percent.

With those figures as evidence, could it be that money isn't the answer?

“Of course it’s enough. I mean, there are many private schools that have less tuition than that. This is an extraordinary amount of money. There’s absolutely no reason in the world why they shouldn’t be held accountable for using this money and producing real results,” said Ben Cunningham of Tennessee Tax Revolt.

Clement said he will fight efforts to drain public education of money.

Both men said education is No. 1, but over the past few years, money hasn't delivered results.

“You can’t just simply call for more money every year. The taxpayers are sick and tired of it,” Cunningham said.

Of course, at-risk students cost more money and Davidson County has more at-risk students than Cheatham and Williamson counties combined.

Another part of Davidson County’s challenges are that it also leads in students with disabilities and English Language Learners.

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