Budget concerns plagued the Union County Board of Education during most of the spring meetings from March through May. But after many discussions in workshops and meetings the board approved a budget for FY 25 with no tax increase in a special called meeting on May 22.

Schools Director Greg Clay explained the difficulties with reaching a balanced budget for FY25. He and board members noted that the new funding formula, Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) changes, the expiration of the ESSER Funds, the TNVA contract negotiations, the state mandated salary increases, the static local funding, the cut in federal funding and a decrease in enrollment made this budget extremely challenging.

According to Finance Director Missy Brown, some of the grant funding is now part of the base formula, so it is more difficult to determine if TISA gives increased funding as the Tennessee Department of Education claims.

ESSER Funds that were part of the COVID recovery monies expired so tenured teachers had to be transferred to classroom teaching positions from intervention positions created under ESSER. This action resulted in some non-tenured teachers being non-renewed. The renewal of the TNVA contract with K-12, as well as a fund balance excess, ensured a balanced budget, but did not enable certain ESSER programs to continue. The cut in federal funds resulted from a federal audit of state distribution of federal funds over the last five years. The federal audit found that Union County had received more funds than it should have, so for the next several years, the federal funding will be nearly $50,000 less per year.

One final word from the board was that Clay, Central Office, and the Finance Department had done an exceptional job; however, the school system should not have to rely on the virtual school contract revenue to balance the school budget. In simple words, Chair Marty Gibbs explained that TNVA revenues should enhance the educational program and the building fund, not be part of the base funding.

In the regular May 9 meeting, the board approved a grant with Waste Connections. The board made corporal punishment to be used at the director’s discretion and Director Clay maintained that he would not support the use of paddling as a disciplinary measure.

Screenings for vision, hearing and other state required screenings will allow parents to opt out.

The school system received the Tennessee Board of Regents Award of Excellence for its collaboration to establish the TCAT on the UCHS Campus. With the approval of the contract for the TCAT, bids should be let and construction started this summer. The roofing project is approximately one-third complete. The softball improvements are still under review but should begin this summer.

Board member Rebecca Lock reported Union County’s request for the 4th grade retention decision to remain with the local school system was approved. She credited Senator Niceley with being part of the effort to change the original wording in the bill. She also commented that the voucher bill did not pass but most likely would reappear in the next legislative session in January 2025.

The next regular meeting of the Union County Board of Education will be Thursday, June 13, at Union County High School with the workshop at 6 p.m. and the meeting to follow.