Gov. Bill Lee’s signature legislative achievement is the school voucher scheme. This is essentially a discount coupon program for private schools – and one used primarily by well-off families.
The plan is slated to cost taxpayers $300 million this year.
And, in Sumner County, it could cost teachers and staff their jobs.
WSMV reports:
Director of Schools Scott Langford made the announcement at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
According to Langford, the district has lost more than 1,700 students since August.
He says the majority of those students went to other public school districts in Tennessee or left the state altogether, which could point to the rising cost of living in Sumner County as a reason behind the drop.
But he also said a little over one third of the students who have left the district this school year went to online school, homeschool or private schools.
The drop in enrollment means the district could lose more than $11 million in state funding, and Langford says they’re starting to look at potential staff cuts to make up for it, but they’re not rushing.
One challenge of school voucher schemes across states is the impact on local school funding – since state dollars are often determined by enrollment. While a loss of 1700 students is significant, it does not mean the district can close buildings or end its transportation program – there are fixed costs that must be absorbed with less revenue. That leaves staff cuts as the main way to reduce expenses.
Sumner County’s legislative delegation – all Republicans – has consistently supported school vouchers. In fact, House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland was a prime sponsor of Gov. Lee’s voucher scheme. The very same scheme that is now resulting in a reduction of millions of dollars in state funds to Sumner County Schools.
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