By Jason Gonzales
February 26, 2020
As the Nashville public schools board works to refine its budget ask for next year, the question lingers whether teacher pay will be included.
The $950 million budget proposal for the 2020-21 school year includes only what is necessary to maintain operations— an increase of $28 million over last year. Any additions included outside of the $950 million could push the ask by the board upward by millions.
Money for teacher pay, especially, could be a costly endeavor. The board has named it one of the top budget problems it wants to tackle.
As the board prioritizes what it wants in its proposed budget, there is a worry that members won’t be able to make good on their wish to increase pay.
Board member Sharon Gentry said during a Tuesday board meeting she is concerned that educator pay will be a priority that goes unaddressed, similar to past years’ efforts by the board to significantly increase pay.