Charter commission approves $40,000 translation contract; finance director reports FY25 expenses under budget

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission on March 28 approved an interagency agreement with the Tennessee Language Center for translation services, with a stated maximum liability of $40,000.

Melanie Harrell, director of finance, told commissioners the contract is the commission's annual agreement for translation services and that commission policy requires any contract over $25,000 come before the body for approval. "This is our annual contract for translation services. It has a maximum liability of, $40,000, and is with the state agency that provides those services," Harrell said.

The motion to approve the interagency agreement passed by voice vote. Chair Richards called for those in favor to say "Aye," and the commissioners present did so.

Harrell also reported a FY25 budget-to-actual update showing the commission's expenses are running under budget. She said the commission has seen a slight decrease in the average per-pupil amount allocated to schools, which slightly lowered authorized review revenue assumptions, but she described the change as not significant and said the commission is projecting a healthy reversion for the year. Harrell reviewed a FY26 budget preview; she said staff will bring an official amended FY26 budget to the July meeting. That draft anticipates updated revenue assumptions tied to TISA rates, enrollment data and schools projected to open next year, and it includes two positions that are in the governor's proposed budget and which staff hope will be funded by the legislature.

Chair Richards and committee members thanked staff and moved on after the vote.