Some politicians want an extra $350 million for Tennessee schools; here's what it would pay for

Jason Gonzales
The Tennessean

An update to two parts of Tennessee's education funding formula would cost the state about $350 million a year.

The cost estimates are part of two proposals that would make changes to the state's Basic Education Program. The BEP, as it is known, is a complicated rubric with 46 components the state uses to determine how much money schools get for items such as teacher salaries, books and transportation.

One of the bills would increase the ratio of full-time nurses in schools buildings and would cost the state about $43 million in recurring funds. The other would change how the state funds teacher positions within a district. The proposal would cost the state about $309.4 million annually.

The fiscal notes attached to the two bills highlight statewide complaints from teachers, superintendents and school boards saying the state's funding formula doesn't provide enough money for schools.

It appears neither bill will be considered this year by the Tennessee General Assembly, but educators said the bills put a spotlight on what they've called an outdated funding system.

Tennessee Education Association President Beth Brown, leader of the state's largest teacher's union, said the bills showcase the inadequacy of the BEP.

"My hope is that the sheer size of fiscal impact doesn’t prohibit conversation and movement," Brown said. "Do I think this can be fixed in one year? Maybe not, but these two bills really highlight the disparity between what is funded and what is needed in schools."

PUBLIC EDUCATION:Gov. Bill Lee says Tennessee's education formula is fully funded. School officials say not so fast.

Both bills unlikely to see movement this year

House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, would change the way the state tallies the number of instructional positions a district needs. The bill was referred by a House subcommittee to the BEP Review Committee.

The BEP formula calls for funding to be calculated on a teacher to student ratio that looks at the overall district total of students. The bill would change the formula so it funds teacher positions on a school basis.

The bill would provide new funds for thousands of teachers. For instance, in the 2017-18 school year, districts reported 7,183 classroom positions employed beyond the number generated through the BEP formula, according to the bill's fiscal note.

"Each individual school must meet certain class size requirements," said Chris Henson, Metro Nashville Public Schools chief operating officer. He is an expert on the BEP formula. "Students don’t come in nice neat bundles."

And House Bill 653, sponsored by Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, would change the formula so it provides districts with money to provide one nurse per 700 students — that's compared to a 1-to-3,000 ratio. The fiscal note attached to the bill says the change would fund about 1,000 more nurses.

Hawk requested the bill be placed in a House finance committee where it could be considered, possibly within the next year or couple years.

"I understand where we are in the fiscal note, but policy wise, this is good to do," Hawk said March 27 to a House education committee.

Not the only two areas of need

While Tennessee lawmakers can say the BEP is fully funded, educators statewide say the problem is primarily what isn't in the formula.

And the two updates aren't the only areas of need for schools, Henson said. The BEP Review Committee has discussed for years the two updates, as well as others, he said.

"These at least show how underfunded the formula is ... and there are many, many others," Henson said.

It is apparent many are wanting to see changes. While many have applauded the state for putting more money into education, many want to see the state do more.

The issue is one that has spawned lawsuit against the state.

The Shelby County and Metro Nashville school boards, along with other communities, are suing the state, arguing that Tennessee schools are underfunded and not meeting the constitutional obligation to provide kids with a “free, adequate, and equitable education." 

Gov. Bill Lee, for his part, has said he wants to review the BEP and understand why so many are unhappy with it.

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Reach Jason Gonzales at jagonzales@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.