RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-868

A resolution requesting Governor Bredesen and the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to revise the BEP formula to ensure a more equitable distribution of funds for the benefit of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

WHEREAS, the Basic Education Plan (BEP) is the funding formula that dictates the level of state funding provided to local school districts; and

WHEREAS, the basic level of funding for educating Tennessee children includes both a state and local share of the BEP; and

WHEREAS, the state and local share for each school district is based on an equalization formula, which determined how much of the BEP is supported by the state and how much is supported by the local government; and

WHEREAS, the equalization formula is driven primarily by county property values and sales tax collections; and

WHEREAS, the equalization formula has resulted in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County receiving less per pupil in state funding than some wealthier communities, including Williamson County; and

WHEREAS, the fiscal year 2009 state BEP allocation to Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools was $189,318,000, which equates to $2,523.26 per pupil; and
WHEREAS, the 2007-2008 average spending per pupil in state funds for the entire state of Tennessee was $3,988.91; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools receive less per pupil in state BEP funding than all of the other Tennessee counties except for Knox County, even though Metro has the highest number of English Language Learner (ELL) students and the second highest at-risk population of the 95 counties in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, this disparity has resulted in the local taxpayers being forced to fund a greater percentage of the school system budget than the surrounding counties; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Nashville and Davidson County and the students of the Metro Nashville Public Schools that the BEP formula be modified to equalize state BEP funding on a per pupil basis across the state of Tennessee.

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 Governor Bredesen and the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to revise the BEP formula to ensure a more equitable distribution of funds for the benefit of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

Section 2. The Metropolitan County Council further requests a meeting with the Members of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly and the Members of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to express our collective concerns regarding the BEP funding formula. It is requested that the date and place of such meeting be communicated to the Metropolitan Council Office.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Phil Bredesen, to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly, and to the members of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 4. 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: Eric Crafton