NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle and her team presented their proposed $1.4 billion budget to Metro Council this week, marking a 13% increase from last year’s budget.
But rising costs and shrinking resources are casting a shadow over the district’s financial outlook.
One of the biggest concerns: health insurance. District leaders say those costs have jumped 9% this year. Combined with inflation and limited funding, board members say they’re being forced into difficult conversations about potential cuts.
“We have a state that does not adequately fund our district, and so we’re being forced to make very difficult decisions when the deck is stacked against us,” said Robert Taylor, who represents District 1 on the Metro Nashville School Board.
Taylor emphasized that the stakes go beyond numbers. “These programs aren’t just dollars on a piece of paper. These are people’s jobs.”
JC Bowman, CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, says the lack of federal and state funding could have serious consequences for students.
“When you make cuts, you’re going to your schools first, and that will impact kids. And I tell people, that impacts kids,” Bowman said.
Metro Council members have also raised red flags, expressing concern last week over what they called a lack of clarity in this year’s budget presentation. Those concerns echo earlier frustrations from school board members who said they weren’t given key information in time to properly prepare for the hearing.
Bowman says increased transparency is critical, especially when it comes to areas like travel and professional development. “Those are two areas, and I think they need to answer some tough questions,” he said.
As budget talks continue, district leaders say they’re committed to finding solutions — but warn that without additional support, tough decisions may be unavoidable.
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