Board hears $177.6 million net decrease in November budget amendment, adds safety and student-support positions

District finance staff presented a November 2025 fiscal-year-2026 budget amendment that, as described to the board, reflects a net decrease of $177,615,007. The change was largely attributed to removing the charter-school state portion from the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula and reconciling actual federal grant numbers.

Staff said the amendment includes additions of roughly 40 positions, notably 10 safety and security monitors to support schools and 20 staff for a real-time safety center the district plans to open in mid-December. Other positions discussed include student-support roles and data analysts tied to attendance and discipline functions. Staff described several positions as restorations of previously funded roles (some had been funded through ESSER previously).

Board members asked clarifying questions: one asked which positions are reinstated versus new; staff replied that roughly three to five positions were restores from two years earlier and the remainder are new. Members requested additional detail on the new positions, how they would be funded and implementation timelines. No vote on the budget amendment was recorded during the work session portion of the meeting; it was presented for review in advance of the business meeting.

Context: Staff said the net decrease largely reflects adjustments now that final grant numbers are available and the removal of charter-related state funds from the general fund; staff also cited the need to add positions in support of safety and student services.

Board follow-up: Members asked for more detail on the breakdown of new-vs-restored positions and asked staff to provide further documentation on funding sources and timelines before a business-meeting vote.