Sumner County board reviews 2024–25 general purpose budget, approves three procedural items

The Sumner County Schools Board of Education on May 13 received a detailed review of the district's 2024'25 general purpose budget and approved three procedural agenda items at the start of its special-called meeting.

Dr. Langford, the district's director of schools, told the board the budget is "one of the most important things we do," and walked members through revenue projections, planned personnel additions, student safety investments and capital and program initiatives. He said the presentation was a review and that no budget votes were being taken that night.

The budget overview put total revenue at about $356.7 million, citing $216 million from TISA and other state revenue and $140 million from the county. Dr. Langford said the district expects a $6 million rise in county contributions but noted an unexpected increase in a local contribution rate from CTAS/TBR reduced the district's earlier projection by nearly $1 million.

Why it matters: the presentation lays out pay and staffing changes the district plans to include in the fiscal plan the board will consider for adoption. Those changes affect starting teacher pay, classified wages, special-education support and school safety measures, and they will shape what the district can deliver to students next year.

Most significant items

- Teacher pay: The board previously approved raising starting teacher pay to $50,500; Dr. Langford noted that represents roughly a 40% increase since 2019 when starting pay was reported as $36,100. He said further increases will likely be needed in coming years.

- Classified pay and retention: The budget includes two-step raises for classified employees. Dr. Langford and staff presented examples showing a teaching assistant moving to about $16.98 per hour at the proposed new step. The district reported the classified raises and other moves together produced a large increase in applicants for hard-to-fill positions compared with 2023.

- Compensation totals: The presentation listed $13.8 million for compensation in the 2026 budget year and said the district's two-year compensation increase (2025'26 combined) would total about $42.7 million.

- Student safety and health: The budget keeps investments in emergency equipment and training, including classroom door and window covers, window film, AED replacement (Dr. Langford cited $100,000 in the budget for AEDs), a districtwide training program that certified staff to deliver de-escalation training in-house, and vape sensors the district said can distinguish nicotine from THC.

- Career and technical education (CTE) and innovation: Dr. Langford described the planned Carolyn Smith Sumner County Innovation Center, a long-term lease at a reduced rate funded by a Smith family trust, as a hub for countywide CTE and entrepreneurial partnerships. He announced an Aviation Academy launching January 2026 that will offer up to four dual-enrollment credits at MTSU and will be open to Sumner County students across ZIP codes, with transportation provided.

- New positions and structure: The district will add assistant principals at some elementary schools, athletic trainers, school psychologists, behavioral support staff and other positions. Dr. Langford also described an internal reorganization that would refer to his office as "superintendent" (he said Tennessee law retains the title "director of schools") and group central-office roles under four chiefs: chief academic officer, chief of staff, chief talent officer and chief financial officer with strategy.

Discussion highlights

Board members pressed for detail on openings, pay tables and the structure for new director-level positions. Mr. King asked about reserve use and received an on-the-record reference to $45 million in reserves reported on page 1 of the budget packet.

Several trustees focused on behavior-support investments. Board members and staff described a multi-pronged strategy that places two behavior support staff in special education, increases the number of board-certified behavior analysts and creates a director-level position in instruction to coordinate classroom-level behavior supports, special education, and other interventions. Board members said their constituents frequently raise concerns about students who disrupt classrooms, the impact on other students and teacher retention.

Votes at a glance (procedural actions recorded earlier in the meeting)

- Approval of Summer Scholars budget amendments — motion to approve; seconded; voice vote "aye"; motion carried. (Motion text on agenda: "Approval of the Summer Scholars budget amendments.")

- Approval of purchases for the Summer Scholars program — motion to approve; seconded; voice vote "aye"; motion carried. (Motion text on agenda: "Discussion or action regarding purchases for some of our scholars program.")

- Extension of study session past 9 p.m. — motion to approve; seconded; voice vote "aye"; motion carried. (Motion text on agenda: "Discussion or action to extend the study session past 9PM.")

What the board asked staff to provide

Board members asked staff for more detail on teacher openings, the pay-scale structure for new director positions, and a fiscal note on a separate amendment expected next week (see separate article on playgrounds). Dr. Langford and CFO Amanda Brown asked board members to forward specific questions to them or to Mr. Johnson before the next voting meeting to allow staff time to gather and return numbers.

Ending

Dr. Langford closed by asking trustees to submit follow-up questions during the week rather than waiting for the next meeting. The board scheduled further budget deliberations at the next public meeting, when members will have the chance to vote on the fiscal plan. No budget adoption vote took place at the May 13 study session.