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Budget committee recommends $342,444 transfer from school fund balance for coaches and arts supplements; vote 3–2
Summary
The Cheatham County school system asked the county to transfer $342,444 from school fund balance to update athletic and fine-arts supplements last revised in 2016; the budget committee recommended the transfer 3–2 and commissioners debated timing and fund-balance use.
The Cheatham County budget committee recommended on Sept. 15 that the county transfer $342,444 from the school system's general fund balance to pay updated supplements for coaches and fine-arts teachers. The committee considered three school-related items together and approved them on a 3–2 vote.
School leaders told the committee the supplements update covers athletic and fine-arts stipends that have not been reviewed since 2016. Director of Schools Stacy (identified in the workshop as "Miss Stacy, director of schools") told commissioners the school board reviewed a district-wide matrix of roles and tiers and sought to compensate after-school coaches and arts personnel for work outside the school day. School leadership said the transfer would increase supplements for multiple tiers of positions and affect extracurricular contracts rather than salaries during the school day.
School officials said the district's general fund balance is approximately $12 million after year-end close and that board members waited until fund balance figures were known before requesting the transfer. Committee members who opposed the transfer said reoccurring expenditures should be included in the regular school budget rather than supported from fund balance midyear; supporters said staff, coaches and arts personnel were expecting the supplement changes and that delaying would be disruptive.
School officials estimated the supplements would affect roughly 125–150 positions (including head and assistant coaches, and fine-arts personnel), but said the amount does not include insurance changes. Committee members also referenced guidance from the Tennessee Comptroller cautioning that using fund balance for recurring expenditures can create future instability; the comptroller email was discussed and copies were requested during the workshop.
The budget committee approved the three school items together: a $148,386.43 transfer of Innovative School Models grant funds to purchase equipment, a $42,205 transfer of United Way "Raise Your Hand" grant funds to pay teachers, and the $342,444 transfer from fund balance for supplements. The committee recommended the items to the full commission for consideration.
