Gov. Lee: 'Hopeful' he can submit new K-12 funding formula to legislature this year
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced the completion of the state's review of how it funds K-12 education Wednesday and hinted at plans to propose a new education funding formula for the legislature to consider this year.
"We hope the pieces come together this week to allow us to make a proposal in short order to the legislature so they can act on it," Lee said told reporters Wednesday. "We are pretty hopeful it can happen this session."
Discussions on a new funding formula have been ongoing for months. Lee and Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn launched a 90-day review of the state's funding formula in October with the intention of creating a new formula centered around students.
FRAMEWORK FOR FUNDING FORMULA: Tennessee releases draft framework of new school funding formula, seeks more input
The state then created 18 subcommittees and named steering committee made up of key lawmakers to discuss and provide input. The subcommittee process will come to an end this week, Lee said in a statement released on the funding review.
The education department released a draft framework earlier this month showing a base structure for new funding under a new student-center formula. The framework lays out additional funding for students who live in poverty or rural areas, charter schools and students with disabilities.
WORRIES IN SCHOOL FUNDING: Worries arise about less funding for urban districts, performance bonuses in draft school funding plan
Some key lawmakers have also expressed interest in having the conversation this session, even as local elected officials and school leaders, especially in urban areas, express concerns.
"We need to invest more in our public school system," Lee said. "Our funding formula is 30 years old, and our education system has dramatically changed over those years ... we need a funding formula that reflects those changes."
Lee is scheduled to give his annual State of the State address on Monday evening where he is expected to outline is top priorities for the year. It is Lee's final State of State before facing reelection.
Adam Friedman is The Tennessean’s state government and politics reporter. Reach him by email at afriedman@tennessean.com.
Want to read more stories like this? A subscription to one of our Tennessee publications gets you unlimited access to all the latest politics news, plus newsletters, a personalized mobile experience and the ability to tap into stories, photos and videos from throughout the USA TODAY Network's daily sites.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gov. Lee hoping to submit new K-12 funding formula for review this year
