School board hears resolution to expand financial literacy instruction to fourth and eighth grades

A board member on Tuesday introduced a resolution urging Rutherford County Schools to expand financial literacy instruction into elementary and middle school, adding grade‑level benchmarks at the end of fourth and eighth grades.

"Local school boards across Tennessee are being asked to partner with the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission to strengthen financial literacy education for students of all ages," the board member said while reading the resolution. The proposal notes Tennessee currently requires high‑school financial literacy but lacks a comparable requirement in earlier grades.

Sponsor Miss Neswell told the board she brought the resolution after attending a commission presentation that compared local financial metrics with statewide data and argued earlier instruction can help build pathways to homeownership and better financial outcomes. She said she had discussed the idea with Director Sullivan, who she said supported submitting the resolution to the board.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the scope of the resolution and whether the commission had reached out to the district; the sponsor said the commission had presented to county officials and that the resolution was intended to express partnership and intent to prioritize age‑appropriate financial skills.

No formal vote occurred during the work session. The resolution text was included in the board packet and the item will be available for formal consideration in the board’s upcoming meeting sequence.