Sumner County school board approves revised budget contingent on county approval of $5.4 million for athletic projects

The Sumner County School Board voted 9–1 on July 23 to approve a revised 2024–25 budget that the board said is contingent on the county commission approving $5.4 million in nonrecurring capital to fund athletic facilities and related capital projects.

Dr. Lankford, the district’s director of schools, framed the vote as a pragmatic compromise intended to secure raises for employees while seeking county support for stadium work. He told the board that the budget was built without requiring a tax increase and that employee raises already approved by the board would be paid retroactively once a county-approved budget is in place. “Regardless of the valuation of your home, your county taxes will not go up this year,” he said, and he urged the board to move quickly because delays could prevent the district from issuing contracts and ordering equipment.

The vote followed extended public comment and board…