Charter commission committee hears staffing, office and budget updates; seeks $22,046,500 more in FY27 authority

Tennessee Public Charter School Commission Business Operations Committee members on Oct. 7 received updates on staffing and office space and heard that the commission has asked state Finance and Administration for $22,046,500 in additional budget authority for fiscal 2027.

The committee meeting, held with public participation online, opened with General Counsel Ashley Thomas citing Tennessee Code Annotated 8-44-108 to justify electronic participation and recording of the session. "TCA 8-44-108 permits a governing body to allow participation by electronic means of communication where a physical quorum is not possible," Thomas said.

The committee heard operational details from Executive Director Tess Dovall, who said the commission has hired and started two additional staff since the last meeting and was granted four new positions for FY2026 by the General Assembly. "We have hired, and started 2 additional people since our last committee meeting," Dovall said. She told commissioners three of the newly authorized positions are still open; staff expect to post and fill them after the busy start-of-school quarter, with one role to focus on grant management and another on special-population support as the portfolio and student count grow.

Dovall also updated the committee on office space. Working with the Department of General Services, the commission has built out 28 seating areas under the state's workspace consolidation effort (referred to in the meeting as "Project Tetris"). The seats are configured for flexible rotation if the office grows beyond 28 staff. Dovall invited commissioners to view the built-out space at the Davy Crockett office during the commission's in-person meeting next week.

Lawrence Walker, director of finance and operations, presented budget-to-actuals through Aug. 31 and the commission's FY2027 budget request. Walker said K-12 enrollment is running about 3% above the commission's FY2026 amended budget and that the commission expects an October 16 "true-up" of average daily membership and budgeted revenue that will adjust state and local pass-through funds and authorizer fee projections.

"Following the release of federal funds earlier this year, we expect to administer more than $8,000,000 in grants to schools," Walker said. He listed grant activity already underway and schools drawing down funds obligated from July 1 through Oct. 1, including state special education grants, Turnaround Action Grants, Access for All learning-network grants, voluntary pre-K, and consolidated funding that includes federal Title programs and other consolidated funds.

Because of higher enrollment and additional grant allocations, Walker said staff will likely request increased budget authority for FY2026 to realize additional revenue and pass-through funding; the committee will receive updates on any material changes in January. For FY2027, Walker said the commission submitted an official request in September to Finance and Administration to be included in the governor's budget that asks for $22,046,500 in additional budget authority and does not request additional positions at this time. "We requested an additional, $22,046,500 in budget authority, to recognize additional revenue and operational expenditures related to our growing enrollment," Walker said. He said staffing decisions tied to previously granted positions will be made after the completion of the appeal cycle.

Votes at a glance: The committee conducted roll-call votes on routine procedural items. The agenda for the Oct. 7 meeting was approved by roll call (motion recorded as made by Commissioner Eddie Smith and seconded by a commissioner identified as Thomas; roll call recorded two ayes and the agenda was approved). The minutes of the July 24, 2025 meeting were approved by roll call (motion recorded as made by a commissioner identified as Thomas; roll call recorded two ayes and the minutes were approved). A motion to adjourn carried by roll call (two ayes).

The committee had no further questions after the updates. The commission's next Business Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026.