Hamblen County board fails to approve FY2026–27 budget after 3–3 roll call; special meetings planned

The Hamblen County Board of Education on May 12 failed to adopt its proposed FY2026–27 budget after a 3–3 roll-call vote on an amendment to retain several 200‑day contracts.

The budget motion — moved by Miss Clawson and seconded as recorded by the chair — would have kept six 200‑day positions rather than the superintendent’s earlier recommendation to reduce them. During discussion, board members questioned whether the district could absorb the roughly $31,000 increase through fund balance and whether the staffing change would increase workload for school administrators.

Mr. Bunch, the district director presenting the report, said the district could “eat it out of fund balance” and argued the change would not force midyear staff additions. The chair summed up the result, saying, “The budget just got turned down.”

The chair then called a roll call. Recorded votes were: Mr. Weems — No; Miss Clawson — Yes; Mr. Kinder — Yes; Mr. Workman — No; Miss Smith — Yes; Mr. Denton — No. With three votes in favor and three against, the motion failed.

Because the board did not approve the budget, Mr. Bunch said the board must hold a budget working meeting and then a specially called meeting to approve a budget before the county commission presentation scheduled for Saturday. The board did not set those follow-up dates during the May 12 meeting.

The failure leaves the district continuing under its current spending authority until the board reconvenes to reach a majority decision. The chair recommended the board move on to other business and reconvene for the budget work sessions.