A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to utilize additional minority consultants in teacher training programs, to reduce out-of-state contractual consultant services for teacher training and mentoring, and to create community task forces to address the patterns of placement of minority students in special education classes and make recommendations regarding the current zero tolerance policies.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education plans to spend approximately $1 million during the upcoming year to bring in out-of-state consultants to provide teacher mentoring and in-service training; and

WHEREAS, Members of Council and citizens alike are concerned about the allocation of funding for out-of-state consultants when our own city, which contains several institutions of higher learning, may have residents that are eminently qualified to perform such consulting and training; and

WHEREAS, since more than one-half of the student population of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools are minorities, it is appropriate that in-service teacher training include multicultural personnel to equitably reflect the student base; and

WHEREAS, the creation of community task forces to study issues and the encouragement of community involvement would help alleviate the discontent that is pervasive in our community; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the students of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools that the Board of Education take steps to increase cultural diversity in teacher training programs and respond to recommendations from the community about ways to improve multicultural relations in our schools.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to take the following action:
1. That at least fifty percent of teacher training and mentoring leadership be comprised of minority consultants.
2. That out-of-state contractual consultant services be reduced by fifty percent.
3. That Community Task Forces be created to study and make recommendations concerning the patterns in placement of minority students in special education classes and the current zero tolerance policies.
4. That recommendations from the community be acknowledged and responded to.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution by U.S. mail, interdepartmental mail, or electronic mail to Dr. Pedro Garcia, the Director of Schools, and to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Brenda Gilmore, Ronnie Greer, Jim Forkum, Vivian Wilhoite, Rip Ryman, Sam Coleman, Diane Neighbors, Ludye Wallace, Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Pam Murray, Jamie Isabel, Edward Whitmore

Amendment No. 1
To
Resolution No. RS2005-938

Mr. President:

I move to amend Resolution No. RS2005-938 by renumbering Section 2 as Section 3, by renumbering Section 3 as Section 4, and by adding the following new Section 2:

"Section 2. That the Metropolitan Board of Public Education is further requested to provide a written response to the Metropolitan Council regarding the feasibility of and/or actions taken in compliance with the requests stated in Section 1 hereof within one hundred eighty (180) days from the adoption of this Resolution."

Sponsored by: Brenda Gilmore