Cheatham County approves teacher bonuses and authorizes up to $200,000 note to buy school laptops

Cheatham County commissioners on April 19 approved amendments to the General Purpose School Fund to deliver one‑time teacher bonuses and authorized a three‑year capital outlay note not to exceed $200,000 to purchase school laptops.

The adopted budget amendment documents show the total cost of the bonus program is $925,014.56, of which $244,500 had previously been approved from additional state Basic Education Program (BEP) funding; the commission approved an additional transfer of $680,514.56 from the school fund balance to fully fund the program (Resolution 9). The motion to approve the school fund amendments carried on recorded roll-call votes before the commission.

Separately, the Budget Committee recommended and the commission authorized a three‑year capital outlay note for School Laptops not to exceed $200,000, to be issued under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 9, Chapter 21; the resolution (Resolution 10) sets terms and delegates authority consistent with state law and Comptroller approval processes. The note is described in the record as a financing vehicle with principal not to exceed $200,000, maximum interest at 3.25% and maturities structured over three years.

Both items were approved by recorded votes and appear in the meeting record as formal resolutions. The meeting record does not include verbatim quotes describing intended distribution timing for bonuses beyond the budget documentation and vote records.