Tennessee’s new school funding formula is now law and set to take effect in fall 2023.
News 5 has now obtained letters sent to school systems that outline how much money they can expect over the next eight years. It’s part of the new Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, the biggest reform to school funding in three decades.
"What the state had been spending on education, per pupil expenditure on education, was really in the bottom ten in the country,” Kingsport director of schools Jeff Moorhouse said. “so I’m certain this is going to move us up the ladder."
Schools get a certain amount for each student plus weights based on individual learning needs and how rural or poor a district is.
In our region, most school systems are getting an extra $2 to $6 million in the first year. Rural Johnson County gets the most, an extra $10 million. The small Rogersville system gets $600,000 more.
The formula also gives separate funding for three programs: career and technical education classes, kindergarten through third grade reading and fourth grade tutoring.
“One of the big benchmarks will be the ability to read by third grade,” Moorhouse explained.
He said that tutoring will help students who don’t reach the goal to make sure they don’t get left behind.
In Unicoi County, staffing will be a big focus.
“At the high school for example, we have math classes with 33 kids in them,” director of schools John English said. “and that’s really challenging for the teacher and for the students.”
But for school leaders, there are still a lot of questions. The estimates show a reduction in local funding requirements, but state law forbids local government from reducing education spending.
“That’s a big piece that it’s still a little unclear how that’s going to effect, especially as we move down the road,” English said.
Local school leaders will be seeking answers during the next year before the new formula takes effect.
SEE HOW MUCH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL IS GETTING: