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County discusses private act to allow seven school districts after 2030 redistricting
Summary
The mayor urged pursuing a private act (to be carried by Rep. Mary Littleton) that would allow Cheatham County to expand from six to seven school board districts after the 2030 census (effective 2032); commissioners debated timing, required local approval and implications for commission districts and elections.
The mayor reopened a plan to pursue local legislation to permit Cheatham County to add a seventh school district after the 2030 census, which would take effect in 2032. He said the change would require a private act in the legislature and subsequent local approval; the county could legally have up to 11 districts under state law but Cheatham County previously set a local limit of six.
"We can go up to 11 by state law, but Cheatham County set up six only," the mayor said, arguing that securing legislative approval now would allow the county to "pull the trigger" after redistricting if needed. Commissioners asked whether approval of the private act would obligate the county to immediately adopt seven districts; county staff and counsel said the change would not take effect until the next redistricting and that local approval thresholds (including any two‑thirds requirement noted) would apply.
Commissioners discussed potential election and administrative complications — for example, creating seven school districts could change the number and alignment of commission seats and elections — and asked staff to research the legislative timeline and approval process. The mayor asked staff to follow up and involve Rep. Mary Littleton for drafting a private act.
