GALLATIN, TN (WSMV) -
The district doesn't have a finalized budget, but they will have school Thursday in Sumner County as thousands of students head back to class.
And those in charge continue their fight about money and finding a long-term funding fix.
District leaders have been emphatic from the start that the problem is much bigger than just this year's budget, which delayed the start of school by eight days.
But we still haven't yet seen the full impact: classroom cuts.
Teachers like Melissa Farmer seem eager to move on and move forward with the start of school.
"Looking forward to it. I can't wait. I'm so excited to see my kids," Farmer said.
The district delayed classes as it pressured the county for more budget money. The county responded with funding, but it was not as much as the district wanted.
"I really hate that school had to be delayed, but our county needs a lot of things in our classrooms," Farmer said.
In its decision to open schools Thursday, the school board said it would deal with potential staff cuts over the next few weeks.
"Your child's schedule may be altered in the coming weeks due to these mandated budget cuts. We will strive to make the least disruptive changes possible, but there is no fiscal way to carry out the budget plan dictated to us by the county commission without disrupting the educational process," said Schools Director Dr. Del Phillips.
Already, the district has pinpointed possible cuts at each of its 45 schools. It's a tough reality for the district, its parents and more than 28,000 students who return after an already rocky start to the school year.
"We need that money. Our children need an education," said parent Angela Rogan. "I had even considered moving, so my children would be able to go to school."
Students will have to make up the eight days of classes missed because of the delay. The Board of Education will decide how to make that happen at its meeting on Tuesday.
Before that, commissioners will meet Monday to finalize the budget deal with schools.
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