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School board request to move district fund balance for coach, arts supplements fails after commissioner split vote
Summary
Cheatham County commissioners debated and ultimately rejected a school board request to move district fund balance into coaching and fine‑arts supplement lines (initial motion tied 6–6 and failed). Commissioners later approved a narrower set of school budget items, but the full supplement package did not pass.
Cheatham County commissioners on Sept. 15 considered a unanimous request from the Cheatham County School Board to move funds from the district’s fund balance into a new coaching and fine‑arts supplement pay line, but an initial motion to adopt the full package ended in a 6–6 tie and failed.
The request was presented to the commission by Jeff Hobbs, who identified himself as an employee of the Cheatham County School District and the countywide athletic director. Hobbs told the commission he took the role to support coaches and arts instructors and asked members to "vote yes tonight to move funds from the district's fund balance into our coaching and arts supplement budget line." David Bridal, chairman of the Cheatham County School Board, described a nine‑month district review and argued the supplement scale had not been updated since 2015. "Increasing supplemental pay is not a luxury, it's a necessity," Bridal said, urging commissioners to support the district's plan.
Commissioners split over timing and process. Several members said supplement increases should have been included in the district’s budget proposal rather than requested after the county’s budget adoption; others emphasized the long unpaid hours coaches and fine‑arts teachers contribute and argued the school fund balance is the proper source. After extended debate the first combined motion failed on a 6–6 vote. Commissioners then moved to consider subparts separately; a subsequent motion to approve the first two items in the package was carried by roll call.
The commission did not adopt the school board’s full supplement proposal at this meeting. Commissioners who voted against the combined motion said they supported increasing compensation in principle but preferred the district present the adjustments during the formal budget process so the county could consider them holistically. The school board indicated it would return with refined language or budgeted proposals in the future.
Next steps: the school board may revise the proposal and return to the commission, or incorporate supplement increases into the next budget cycle. No county funds were appropriated for the full supplement package at this meeting.
