$800K reallocated for budget, No start date for students - WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

During an emergency meeting Monday night, Sumner County school officials and the county commission agreed to reallocate $800,000 for the 2012-2013 school year.

The meeting was called late last week after Director of Schools Del Phillips approved just more than $1 million in cuts, including eliminating eight new high school guidance counselors.

"What we want to do is get students and teachers back into the classroom, but we also want to make sure that once we do that we can properly educate," Phillips previously said.

During Monday night's meeting, which began at 7 p.m., attendees were given the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns.

After more than three hours, officials voted to approve a motion which will allow schools to accept donations.

Officials voted down a proposal to raise property taxes which could have provided more money to schools.

Parents previously told Nashville's News 2 they were upset the school board has decided to keep students out of class until a budget is reached.

"I'm appalled they would use our children as pawns in a political chess game with county commissioners," parent Stephanie Vincent said.

It is still unknown when students will return to school.

Students were originally scheduled to return to school on Monday, August 6.

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