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Board approves $2,000 teacher-bonus resolution, school nutrition budget; postpones general-purpose budget
Summary
Benton County Board of Education approved a TSBA sample Education Freedom Act Section 4 resolution authorizing a $2,000 teacher bonus and approved the 2025–26 school nutrition budget; the board postponed approval of the 2025–26 general-purpose school budget because the county has not provided a certified tax rate.
At its May 5, 2025 meeting the Benton County Board of Education approved three budget-related actions: a TSBA sample resolution under the Education Freedom Act Section 4 to provide a $2,000 teacher bonus, adoption of the 2025–26 school nutrition budget, and a motion to postpone the 2025–26 general-purpose school budget to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Education Freedom Act Section 4 resolution (teacher bonus) The board voted to adopt the TSBA (Tennessee School Boards Association) sample resolution implementing Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act, which the resolution applies to awarding a $2,000 bonus for teachers employed by the district. The board recorded a final tally of 10 yes votes. The meeting record includes a committee representative’s statement that the board’s approval of this section does not represent support for the broader voucher program; the speaker emphasized that the board supports teachers receiving the bonus while still opposing vouchers generally.
School nutrition budget (2025–26) The board approved the district’s 2025–26 school nutrition budget on a roll-call vote of 10–0. District staff told the board that the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) was expected to continue for at least two more years, and that recent years’ one-time federal COVID-era dollars (ESSER) had been drawn down, increasing the reliance on regular state and local funding. Staff also said the nutrition program had used reserves in recent years (staff cited withdrawals in the tens of thousands of dollars) to cover rising food costs.
Postponed general-purpose budget (2025–26) The board voted to postpone approval of the district’s 2025–26 general-purpose school budget to the next regularly scheduled meeting. District leaders told the board that the county commission had not certified a tax rate and that the county’s budget process remained incomplete; absent a certified tax rate, staff recommended postponing final budget approval. During discussion staff noted a decline in enrollment of roughly 20 students since projections were made and referenced thereby a revenue impact (the transcript records a numeric remark: "$77,250 times 20 students" as an example used in discussion).
Votes at a glance - Education Freedom Act Section 4 resolution (teacher bonus, $2,000): Passed 10–0 (final tally); board chair and director to sign the resolution the same evening. - 2025–26 school nutrition budget: Passed 10–0. - 2025–26 general-purpose school budget: Postponed to next regularly scheduled meeting (motion to postpone passed).
Background: The budget committee met in late April and recommended the resolutions and budgets the board considered. Committee minutes and the TSBA sample resolution were included in the board packet.
Ending: The board scheduled further budget work and committee meetings and noted that state and county budget decisions (including a certified local tax rate) will affect final district budget decisions.
