Commissioners back $793,014 request to fund six assistant principal roles at 12 elementary schools

Davidson County commissioners on June 4 told school officials they would move to include $793,014 in the county's proposed budget to fund six assistant-principal positions to serve 12 elementary schools.

Dr. Slate told the board assistant principals handle a wide range of duties — student behavior interventions (more than 1,000 incidents in the 12 schools cited), 65 suicide-risk assessments, threat assessments and other mental-health responses — and argued that the requested positions maintain safety and instructional quality. He said the state funding formula does not cover the positions at the needed level and that the district uses local funds to supplement staffing.

Commissioners asked about the state per-pupil allotment (the transcript indicates a state ADM allotment of roughly $8,300 per pupil for the county) and where Title I and Exceptional Children funds apply. Commissioners repeatedly said they view the positions as protections for vulnerable schools and, after discussion, expressed support for funding the request and asked staff to include the appropriation in the revenue-neutral budget presented for Monday night's vote.

"If the commissioners would graciously approve this request, we would be able to have six positions split evenly," Dr. Slate said, describing plans to split each assistant principal across a larger and a smaller school during the week. The board asked staff to prepare the ordinance language and ensure the public understands any changes if the state legislation on revaluation affects rate adoption.