Board asks state to fund fast‑growth school support, endorses broader public‑comment principles

The Rutherford County School Board approved two resolutions related to state policy: one asking the Tennessee General Assembly to appropriate $50 million for fast‑growth stipends and infrastructure under the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding components for fiscal year 2025–26, and a second expressing support for House Bill 0022, which would broaden statutory public‑comment protections for governing bodies.

TISA funding resolution

Board member Mister Tidwell described the TISA resolution as an effort to seek full funding for the fast‑growth stipend and infrastructure components. The resolution asks the General Assembly to appropriate $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2025–26 “to ensure that all eligible school districts receive the full value of their calculated stipends and their percentage of the fast‑growth infrastructure.” Tidwell said he had discussed the proposal with contacts in the governor’s office and thought there was receptivity. The resolution was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote.

House Bill 0022 and public comment

The second resolution expresses the board’s support for House Bill 0022, a proposed state statute to amend TCA 8‑44‑112 to require governing bodies to reserve public‑comment periods for matters germane to the agenda and for matters germane to the governing body’s jurisdiction regardless of agenda placement. Board members discussed whether the proposed statute would apply to the state legislature itself. Legal counsel and board members noted that the general assembly is not expressly listed in the statute’s definition of “governing body,” and case law and legislative rules complicate whether the legislature would be bound.

Board member Miss Maxwell asked that state lawmakers be included explicitly; other members said the scope of the general assembly differs and that additional language would be required in the bill to make that clear. The motion on the resolution as drafted was called, seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters

The TISA resolution is a direct budget request to state lawmakers that, if heeded, would increase funding available to fast‑growth districts. The public‑comment resolution takes a position on a pending state bill that could change how local bodies across Tennessee structure comment periods and which matters are allowed for public comment.

Ending

Both resolutions passed; the board recorded its formal positions and requested legislative action on the TISA appropriation.