GALLATIN, Tenn. -
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam voiced his concerns about the on-going battle regarding Summer County's 2012-2013 school budget.
He told Nashville's News 2 that he's watching what's happening but as of yet, cannot get involved.
"The specific issue here is obviously a local one and when there is an appropriate role for the state Department of Education to play we will," Haslam said. "But at this point, it's a local issue between the county commission and the school board. Right now there's not an appropriate role for us to do that, obviously as things develop we'll continue to reassess that."
The state Department of Education does not have the authority to order a school board to re-open schools, however it can, and will withhold state BEP or Basic Education Program funds if a school is not in session by October 1.
Sumner County relies heavily on state funds to run the schools.
Fifty-two percent of its total budget comes from the state. Sumner County also receives only 32.9% of its operating budget from local government while most schools in the state receive 38% of the budget from local taxes and other sources.
Sumner County also has the lowest property tax among the immediate Nashville counties of Williamson, Wilson, Davidson.
According to the state Department of Education report card, Sumner County is below average in dollars-per-student.
The county spends $8,487 per student while the state average is $9,084.
County commissioners voted down a motion to raise property taxes on Monday, choosing to give the school board an additional $800,000 toward the budget. The board of education was asking for $2.2 million.
Students were supposed to start school August 6.
"It's critical that we get children in school," said Haslam. "I mean in Tennessee right now we need students going to school longer, not shorter that's one of the challenges if we're going to catch up from being behind in math and reading skills."
On Tuesday night, the school board voted for students to return to school on Thursday.
Related Stories:
- August 14, 2012: School board votes to start school Thurs. in Sumner County
- August 13, 2012: Sumner County parents ask for tax hike
- August 12, 2012: Sumner County businesses rally to support school system
- August 10, 2012: Emergency meeting called to discuss Sumner County school budget
- August 9, 2012: Parents flood school board meeting to discuss Sumner County budget
- August 8, 2012: Sumner County sits on unused money, Schools remain closed
- August 8, 2012: School funding stalemate drags on in Sumner County
- August 7, 2012: Sumner County's delayed school year could affect sports teams
- August 6, 2012: Still no start date for schools in Sumner County
- August 5, 2012: Sumner County parents to rally in response to closed schools
- August 2, 2012: Sumner County school year delayed until budget reached
- July 16, 2012: Sumner County Commission wants school budget cut
