TISA funding still up in the air
On Monday, March 10, the Moore County Board of Education covered policy reviews, budget planning, student tuition, and upcoming legislative actions affecting the school district.
Legislative & Funding Updates
• Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding issues remain under discussion. District officials and state legislators, including Tennessee District 62 Representative Pat Marsh and Shane Reeves, senator for the 14th District, are discussing financial concerns affecting the district.
“I have had several phone calls with Pat Marsh and Shane Reeves,” Director of Schools Chad Moorehead said. “One in particular was a conference call with the chairs of the fiscal committees in both houses. In those conversations, and I’ve sent them the same information that I gave to our counsel about this, and I do know this: Rep. Marsh and Sen. Reeves are working for us to find some resolve. I’m not optimistic that we will receive funds from that, but they are at least talking about it.”
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the TISA Act on April 28, 2022, and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee on May 2, 2022. With the passage of the TISA Act, Tennessee’s K-12 public schools are transitioning to a student-based funding approach. The state is providing an estimated $9 billion in education funding, including both state and local funds, as well as an additional recurring state investment of $1 billion, which started in the 2023-24 school year.
The Tennessee Department of Education says, “The TISA public school funding formula updates the way Tennessee funds public education for the first time in over 30 years to empower each student to read proficiently by third grade, prepare each high school graduate for postsecondary success, and provide resources needed to all students to ensure they succeed.”
The General Assembly allocates general fund (tax) dollars for scholarships (vouchers) based on demand, increasing by 5,000 students for any year in which 75% of scholarships were awarded in the previous year.
In terms of overall education, Tennessee generally ranks in the lower half of U.S. states, often falling around the 30-40th percentile.
A May 2024 report noted that nationally, Tennessee ranked 45th for per-student spending – behind all eight of our neighboring states – and 44th for average teacher salary. The report shows that after adjusting for inflation, average teacher pay in Tennessee is 10.4% less today than it was 10 years ago.
• Summer school planning is ongoing. However, Moorehead said, “We still have not received the allocation from the state, as for the funding of that.”
• The Comptroller Audit draft results have been completed. Moorehead said he’s had the exit interview, and there were no findings.
Education Freedom Act & Teacher Bonuses
• The board discussed a resolution on teacher bonuses under the Tennessee Education Freedom Act (EFA). The EFA, which establishes a statewide school choice program, also includes provisions for a one-time, state-funded $2,000 bonus for K-12 public school teachers and a commitment to maintain and increase public school funding.
The state will provide a list of eligible teachers, which the district will verify before distributing funds. The board approved the resolution, allowing the district to act as a pass-through for state-provided bonuses.
Budget Considerations
• The teacher salary minimum will increase from $44,500 to $47,000, impacting the salary schedule for all personnel.
This is based on a bill signed by Gov. Lee in May 2023 for minimum yearly income requirements:
– $42,000 for the 2023-24 school year
– $44,000 for the 2024-25 school year
– $47,000 for the 2025-26 school year
– $50,000 for the 2026-27 school year
• The district plans to purchase a new school bus, considering new legislation allowing buses to run up to 230,000 miles instead of 200,000 miles.
Board members emphasized the importance of monitoring school bus mileage to avoid multiple bus replacements at once.
“When we do purchase a new bus, we roll one of them to one of the spare buses, and we end up disposing of a spare bus,” Moorehead explained. “Once they get to the point that they’re a spare bus, the number of miles put on them annually is really low.”
He noted the sale of a spare bus generally brings in between $2,000 to $3,000.
• A science textbook adoption is being budgeted across this and the next fiscal year.
Tennessee Academic Standards for Science
Policy Review & Updates
• The board reviewed policies 6.1 through 6.319, with Moorehead recommending changes to the Code of Conduct (6.3).
Adjustments included moving corporal punishment and in-school suspension from Level 1 to Level 2 misbehaviors, updating “tobacco” to “nicotine products,” and shifting alcohol offenses to Level 4 misbehaviors under the district’s zero-tolerance policy.
The board unanimously approved these changes.
Non-Resident Student Tuition
• The board unanimously voted to maintain the current tuition rate for non-resident students at $400 per child ($1,200 family cap), payable in two installments.
Field Trip Request
• The girls’ basketball team received unanimous board approval for an overnight trip to Murfreesboro to participate in the Class 1A State Tournament. The Raiderettes face Coalfield at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Murphy Center.
Safety Day & Prep Sports
• Planning is underway for a mock crash on Friday, March 21, at the high school.
• Moorehead thanked MCHS Principal Josh Deal for how smoothly the past several weeks have gone on campus, considering the beehive of activities.
“Baseball, softball – middle school and high school – and the girls’ basketball team are still playing,” Moorehead said, “and during the Region tournament, the high school, Mr. Deal, did a great job. We had multiple spring sports going on at the same time. The campus – I really wish someone had gotten a shot with the drone.”
The meeting concluded with no additional new business or motions.
