RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-155

A resolution requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to consider the introduction and support of legislation that would dissolve the existing elected Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

WHEREAS, it is the collective goal of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County to have the best performing public school system possible; and

WHEREAS, it is the general sentiment of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County that action needs to be taken to improve the performance of Metro Nashville Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, the Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) system is currently in “corrective action” for failing to meet the criteria of federal No Child Left Behind legislation and the standards of the Tennessee Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, given the recent departure of the MNPS Director and the latest findings and recommendations of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Report Card for Metro Nashville Public Schools, it is altogether appropriate to begin discussing actions that can be taken to improve Nashville’s public school system; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and its citizens to maintain the stewardship of their schools; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee General Assembly possesses the authority to pass legislation governing the Boards of Public Education of the State of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the state law be amended to abolish the elected Board of Education for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and allow the Mayor to appoint the Board of Education members.

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 Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to consider the introduction and support of legislation that would dissolve the existing elected Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Council further requests that this legislation simultaneously establish a new Metropolitan Board of Public Education whose members are to be appointed in perpetuity by the Mayor of Metro Nashville and Davidson County.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Council further recommends to the Davidson County Delegation and the Tennessee General Assembly that the legislation include the following specifications for the appointed Metro Board of Public Education:

1. The Mayor’s appointees for the Metropolitan Board of Public Education should be confirmed by a majority vote of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County.
2. The appointed board should contain at least nine members, one member for each of the nine school districts.
3. The term length of each appointed board member should be four years.
4. The terms of the board members should be staggered so no less than four board members are appointed every two years.

Section 4. That the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County is of the opinion that should the Mayor receive the authority to appoint the members of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education, the Mayor should, at all times, consider the composition of the board with regard to gender, age and ethnicity and should endeavor to appoint a board that is representative of the population of school-aged children in Nashville and Davidson County

Section 5. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 6. That 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: Sean McGuire