Tennessee Continues to Choose NOT Investing in Schools
State has $2 billion surplus, is 45th in school funding
As I read through Tennessee’s latest revenue update, I can’t help but think that state leaders are acting like a “broke dad” when all the evidence points to the opposite.
So far this year, Tennessee has taken in $1.2 billion MORE than was estimated.
On the low end, it seems likely that the state will have a $2 billion surplus THIS YEAR when all is said and done.
THIS KEEPS HAPPENING
As I noted in The Education Report, Tennessee has a “broke dad” mentality.
Let me put it this way: You’re a parent. You have a paid for house, two paid for cars, and enough money in the bank that you can NOT work for a year and still cover basic expenses.
Is that the time when you tell your family that you will all be moving into a car and sleeping in the parking lot of a nearby park?
On a range of issues — from the DCS crisis to third grade retention to teacher compensation, Tennessee policymakers are refusing to invest the revenue provided by taxpayers.
A recent report indicated that only 25% of Tennessee teachers earn $60,000 or more a year.
