MNPS board approves FY26 operating budget, preserves textbook funding and educator pay investments

The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education on Oct. 12 approved its fiscal year 2026 operating budget, accepting a $132,000,000 allocation intended to fund educator compensation increases, move textbook adoption funding into the operating budget and preserve investments in safety and student supports.

Board members voted to approve the budget as presented after discussion and a withdrawn amendment. Chief Financial Officer Robles told the board the district received a “historical allocation of a $132,000,000 in the FY26 budget ordinance” and described the major line-item changes in the document the board had received.

The budget document incorporates $44,800,000 described as investments in educators — a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), a salary-step increase and benefits including health insurance and pension. It also includes $14,600,000 shifted into the operating fund for textbook adoptions and maintenance, $1,200,000 for enhanced high-school safety and security measures, $20,400,000 for exceptional education and English-learner supports, and $21,400,000 to cover inflationary increases in contractual obligations.

Robles said the district identified $21,000,000 in targeted savings and $26,000,000 in budget efficiencies to balance to the allocated funds. He also noted that document 9 in the FY26 budget book provides account-level detail showing the salary and benefits changes flowed into each relevant account.

During discussion, Board member Tyler proposed an amendment to reallocate $6,400,000 from the textbooks line to increase the COLA by one percentage point for all staff. Tyler later withdrew the motion after board members and staff explained the timing and scale of textbook adoptions. Chief Robles and other staff clarified that textbook funding follows the state adoption cycle and that some adoptions require purchasing materials in the same year they are adopted so books are available at the start of implementation.

Board member Elrod noted that the $14.6 million also covers consumables and lost or replacement materials and said the district’s average annual consumables cost was about $3,500,000. Board member Tyler and others described the textbook packages as individual student sets, including both hard-copy consumables and online access.

Board members praised staff for the level of detail and for working through targeted savings and efficiencies. Several members urged continued advocacy at the state level for increased K–12 funding. Chair McKenna reminded the board that the adopted budget could be revisited if the Metro Council changes its budget; otherwise the approved FY26 budget will take effect July 1 and allow HR and staff to finalize preparations for the 2025–26 school year.

A motion to approve the budget as presented was made and seconded; the board then approved the FY26 operating budget by unanimous voice vote, with no roll-call tally provided in the meeting record.