News

Support Available to Help Tennesseans Cope

For some people, stress increases during the holiday season, leading to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. If you or a loved one experience a mental health crisis, live with substance misuse or exhibit suicidal behavior during the winter holidays, there are resources and services available through the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) to help navigate those challenges and strengthen community connections.

“Saving a life, your own or someone else’s, should never be a solo effort,” said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “Support is available to help Tennesseans who are living with mental health challenges, and we urge you to learn what to look for, when to act, and who to contact if faced with a mental health emergency or suicidal crisis.”

“The holiday season can be a tremendously stressful time for many individuals who are living with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW. “No matter what you’re going through, please know this: there is hope, and help is available.”

Some of the mental health and suicide prevention resources include:

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services Resource Directory The Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services Directory provides a comprehensive list of suicide prevention resources available across the state to support efforts to reduce deaths by suicide. The directory includes all suicide prevention, intervention and postvention resources throughout the state, such as training, resources and services for help, support groups, fact sheets, and infographics and data. Developed through a partnership of the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, the directory can be downloaded at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/vipp/TDH-Suicide-Prevention-Resource-Guide-Final-Draft-9-24-2021.pdf.

Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line

The Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day/365 days a year is a free resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. All calls are routed to a trained crisis counselor in your area, who will provide you support and guidance and work to connect you with appropriate community supports. Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) or text “TN” to 741-741.

ResilienTN

ResilienTN is an initiative that works to prevent the loss of life to overdose and suicide by empowering Tennesseans with the tools and knowledge to overcome their personal challenges and watch out for and help those around them. The campaign includes training in overdose reversal and suicide prevention; events focused on addiction recovery efforts on college campuses, and suicide prevention among people living with substance use. A calendar of events and other resources are available at https://tntogether.com/shareables/.

Tennessee REDLINE

The Tennessee REDLINE offers a convenient and confidential 24/7/365 resource for substance misuse treatment referrals. The service is provided by the Tennessee Association for Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services (TAADAS) through a contract with the TDMHSAS. Referrals are available by phone call or text at 800-889-9789. https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/tennessee-redline.html

About the Tennessee Department of Health The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

About the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Our Mission: Creating collaborative pathways to resiliency, recovery, and independence for Tennesseans living with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Our Vision: A state of resiliency, recovery, and independence in which Tennesseans living with mental illness and substance use disorders thrive.

https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health.html

About ReslienTN

ResilienTN is a collaboration of the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Tennessee Together to address the risk of drug overdose and suicide. https://tntogether.com/shareables/

Road construction won’t delay travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at midnight on Thursday, December 23, 2021, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022.

“With motorists expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, keeping traffic moving and getting motorists to their destinations safely is our top priority,” said TDOT Commissioner Joe Galbato. “As always, please wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and never drink and drive.”

Except for a few long-term closures that must remain for safety, all construction-related closures will be suspended during the holiday period.  Workers may still be on-site in some construction zones.  Drivers should obey all posted speed limits, particularly in construction areas.  Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway and will be enforced.  Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

AAA Travel expects more than 109 million Americans to travel this holiday season, with a majority of them driving. More than 2.6 million Tennesseans are forecast to travel between December 23 and January 2.

Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any landline or cellular phone for travel information or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.  As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today released its plan to administer its portion of the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) in Tennessee, outlining the department’s approach for improved water infrastructure in communities across the state.

Tennessee receives $3.725 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, designed to help Americans recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Bill Lee invited state agencies and stakeholders to submit proposals for consideration in the comprehensive Tennessee Resiliency Plan, developed in response to the ARP. The state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group, established by the governor, has dedicated $1.35 billion of the state’s total to water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects. TDEC is charged with administering the program and has issued its Water Infrastructure Investment Plan to outline the process.

“These funds will help us address critical needs in water infrastructure in communities throughout our state,” Lee said. “We are engaging leaders from counties across Tennessee and want to apply these funds with the most efficient and helpful process as possible.”

“We are eager to provide Tennesseans with quality water service wherever it is needed,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “While this initiative won’t cover all of our needs in this area, it will be a major step forward, and we look forward to the upgrades this program will bring.”

The plan can be found at this link.

TDEC will host a virtual town hall on the plan Dec. 20, where Tennesseans may learn about the process, accessible at this link. Webinars on the plan will be held on Jan. 18, 2022 from noon-1 p.m., on Jan. 19 from 3 p.m.-4 p.m., and Jan. 20 from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. In-person grant workshops will be offered across the state in February and March 2022. Funds from the ARP must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024 and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

TDEC officials emphasized that the funding is a limited, one-time event and does not meet the total need for water infrastructure improvements in the state. Reports from the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the TN H₂O plan led by TDEC say the necessary investment in Tennessee water infrastructure ranges from $5 billion to $15 billion between now and 2040.

Of the $1.35 billion from the ARP, approximately $1 billion will be offered in the form of non-competitive grants to communities for eligible infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, $269 million of the total will go to state-initiated projects, and the remaining funds will go toward competitive grants.

The Water Infrastructure Investment Plan was developed by TDEC based on input provided by leaders and experts from agencies internal and external to state government. A variety of stakeholders have a vested interest in ensuring strategic use of the funds. The department sought public comment for its draft plan and received approximately 300 comments from approximately 180 individuals or entities. Those comments were seriously considered in development of the plan.

Several entities within state government currently have responsibilities in statute and rule relating to water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, including but not limited to TDEC, the Tennessee Department of Economic Development and the Comptroller of the Treasury.

Given the volume of ARP funding, TDEC has formed an advisory group, the Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee (WIAC), which will identify priorities and projects suited for the funds; promote responsible administration of the funding; and track the progress associated with the projects and activities involved. The WIAC is chaired by TDEC and reports to the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group.

TDEC has posted a page for the WIAC online and will publish relevant materials there.

The Tennessee Department of Education released the ACT state results and participation rate for the 2021 graduating class. Participation in the ACT decreased slightly from 97% with 62,564 graduates in 2019-20 to 96% with 60,865 graduates in 2020-21. The state average composite ACT score showed a decline from 19.9 for the class of 2019-20 to 19.1 for the class of 2020-21.  

The ACT provides an important opportunity for our state to understand students’ college and career readiness and how we are preparing the next generation to transition to post-secondary opportunities. Each fall, the department releases statewide ACT results for the most recent graduating class representing each student’s highest ACT score.  

The 2021 graduating class was most impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic with regards to the ACT testing. T.C.A. § 49-6-6001 requires all Tennessee public school students to take a postsecondary readiness exam, such as the ACT or SAT, in their junior year of high school. The opportunity allows students to maximize their potential to demonstrate postsecondary readiness, qualify for academic scholarships, and avoid remediation. Due to pandemic related school closures in Spring 2020, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Public Chapter 652 in the 2020 legislative session to waive the ACT testing requirement for 11^th grade students in the 2019-20 school year. 

“Even with the requirements being waived and our districts, schools, and students having faced so many challenges this school year, we are proud to have achieved a 96% participation rate on the ACT for the 2020-21 school year- one of the highest in the country during this period,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “While we know the effects of the pandemic are still being felt, especially by this class of students, we are proud of the collective efforts to ensure our students have every opportunity to be prepared for and take the ACT. We know Tennessee will continue to increase participation in college readiness testing to ensure our students are post-secondary ready.”   

The department remained focused on ensuring college and career readiness for all students, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic by providing several additional opportunities for students to take the ACT and for schools and districts to maximize participation: 

·         Offered districts the ability to register students to take the ACT on national test dates at no cost to the student for all students to participate in the ACT on national test dates during the summer and fall of 2020 and spring of 2021 

·         Collaborated with ACT to expand testing sites on national test dates during the fall of 2020  

·         Offered the opportunity during the in-school testing dates in spring 2021 (normally reserved for juniors) to test seniors who missed the previous ACT testing opportunities 

These efforts significantly improved the participation rate for the 2021 graduating class and brought the ACT participation rate to 96%, one percentage point shy from the prior year’s participation rate. Across the state, 17 districts had a participation rate of 100%, and only five districts had a participation rate lower than 90%.  

Access the 2020-21 ACT participation rates and composite scores data here, under the Additional Data heading. 

District highlights:  

Cannon County High School had 116 students tested in 2021 with a participation rate of 97 percent. The average ACT score for the Cannon County High School graduating class of 2021 in each subject area was:

• 16.8 in English, 18.5 in Math, 19.2 in Reading, 19.1 in Science, and 18.9 in Composite Score.  23 Students at CCHS scored 21 or Higher in 2021 for 19.8% of the class.

“It has been a very challenging few years for our Cannon County Students, and they have continued to learn and move forward,” said Cannon County Director of Schools William Freddy Curtis. “We are continuing to implement new strategies at Cannon County High School that will address student deficiencies in all areas.  This will enable us to achieve better results next year, and in the years to follow.  Cannon County Schools desire to achieve OUR common VISION – ‘To Actively Engage in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through OUR MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Succeed and Reach Their Full Potential!’ This means we desire our ACT Scores to rise more and more as our students demonstrate excellence and success!” 

The department uses students’ best ACT score, meaning that if a student took the ACT multiple times, the score included in the finalized data reflect the student’s highest score. During the 2020-21 school year, 64 districts submitted a total of 2,929 appeals, which was 2.6 times more than the number of appeals submitted in 2019-20.  

ACT results serve as a nationally-normed measure to indicate college and career readiness. Under Tennessee’s accountability model, earning a 21 on the ACT is one of the four ways that students can indicate that they are prepared for life after high school and a seamless entry into postsecondary education, the workplace, and the military.  

In partnership with the University of Tennessee, Martin, the department continues to offer free ACT prep workshops for students and educators. Learn how to take advantage of these free resources here. To learn more about college readiness testing in Tennessee, click here. 

Tennessee’s unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level since March 2020, the last month before COVID-19 business closures impacted workers across the state. According to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), Tennessee recorded an unemployment rate of 4% in November 2021.

The new seasonally adjusted rate is down 0.2 of a percentage point from October and it matches the March 2020 rate. In a year-to-year comparison, the November figure dropped by 1.6 percentage points.

Tennessee experienced its highest unemployment ever in April 2020 when the rate spiked to a historic 15.8%.

Business owners increased employment across the state by 4,900 jobs between October and November. Tennessee’s leisure and hospitality sector accounted for the largest number of hires during the month. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector, along with the manufacturing sector, had the next highest number of new jobs.

Over the year, nonfarm employment grew by 87,800 jobs in Tennessee. The largest gains occurred in the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and the trade, transportation, and utilities sectors.

Unemployment also dropped nationwide in November. The seasonally adjusted rate for the month came in at 4.2%, down 0.4 of a percentage point from October’s rate. One year ago, the national rate was 2.5 percentage points higher.

TDLWD has produced a complete analysis of the November 2021 unemployment data. That information is available here.

While the state’s unemployment numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, many Tennesseans are still searching for good, steady employment. TDLWD offers a variety of services that can help individuals land their next job. With more than 100 American Job Centers across the state and Jobs4TN.gov with its 410,000 job postings, assistance is available online or in person. www.TNWorkReady.com is the site where all those services are listed and made easily available.

The Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency approved an additional health care facility in neighboring Rutherford County. Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s request to build a 42-bed hospital on Veterans Parkway near I-840 in Murfreesboro was granted approval.

A similar application for a proposed Vanderbilt Rutherford Hospital was considered by the agency in August 2020, but was denied due to opposition from Saint Thomas Rutherford, StoneCrest Medical Center and Williamson Medical Center.

The contested application was approved by the state agency at their meeting Wednesday with a vote of 5 in favor and 1 opposing.

Projected cost for the facility is $144,276,600.00.

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a competitive 37% salary increase for new Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) correctional officers amid nationwide staffing challenges, effective Dec. 16.

“As we face staffing shortages across the country, rewarding officers with competitive pay will ensure we recruit and retain the most highly qualified individuals in our workforce,” said Gov. Lee. “These Tennesseans play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and we remain committed to valuing their important work.”

The 37% salary increase for new TDOC correctional officers will raise annual starting pay to $44,500. Current security staff will receive a minimum 15% pay increase.

Additionally, TDOC provides a competitive benefits package including:

• Insurance coverage and retirement benefits
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Tuition reimbursement and college degree programs
• Equipment and uniforms provided
• Overtime/compensatory time pay

TDOC will continue to offer a $5,000 hiring bonus and part-time opportunities for current or retired law enforcement to meet staffing needs.

“The men and women who work in facilities across Tennessee are dedicated public servants,” said TDOC Interim Commissioner Lisa Helton. “This salary increase makes our agency more competitive in attracting new talent and is a well-deserved raise for those currently serving our state.”

Individuals interested in a TDOC career can find more information and apply here.

Director of Cannon County Schools, William Freddy Curtis gives vital information to Parents, Grandparents, and Community Members regarding School Closings, Delays, and Helpful Information regarding Cannon County Schools.

The determination of School Closings or Delays is based on a number of factors.  

1. Actual Road Conditions – What is happening NOW. When there is a threat of winter weather and for some reason it always seems like it moves in about 5 AM – 7 AM every time, Cannon County Schools Transportation Director, Mrs. Lisa Black, first is in contact with Cannon County E-911 Central Dispatch.  They know the conditions based on Sheriff Deputies, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Cannon County Road Department.  We also contact Bus Drivers and Spotters in all parts of the county for information.  Mr. Curtis can also check road conditions personally, but he relies on the professionals who know a lot more about that than him! Then the call is made to close or delay.  A Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.

2.  Forecast for the Day. – Cannon County School Personnel look at the National Weather Service Forecast for the day to determine if anything is going to move in and what temperatures are forecast to do during the school day.  The NWS – Nashville Office website is https://www.weather.gov/ohx/.  Mr. Curtis has had numerous NWS Storm Spotter Training classes including Advanced Spotter Training and Cannon County Schools Bus Drivers are NWS Storm Spotter trained.  This will help us during severe weather events, particularly in the Spring, but severe weather can occur anytime of the year.  Cannon County School personnel constantly check the forecast for any weather that could change during school hours and each school is equipped with a weather radio that receives severe weather alerts.

3.  Surrounding Counties.  One of the factors is what other counties surrounding Cannon County are experiencing.  Mr. Curtis is in touch with fellow Directors of Schools in surrounding counties regarding their conditions that could possibly spread into Cannon County.

A Reminder regarding Closings and Delays.

Cannon County Schools Closed – Means all school activities are canceled. A Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.

Middle School and High School Sports game cancellations are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on main road conditions. The cancellation of sporting events is made by the Director of Cannon County Schools in consultation with the CCHS Principal and Athletic Director.

2 Hours Late – This occurs if Cannon County Schools Personnel need more time to make a determination to close or that conditions will improve to have School. It means exactly what it says – 2 Hours Late.  If School doors open regularly at 7 AM, then they will open at 9 AM.  If a bus normally picks up a student at 6:45 AM, the bus will pick up the student at 8:45 AM.  If the School bell normally rings at 7:30 AM, it will ring at 9:30 AM.  If a teacher has bus duty and normally reports at 6:55 AM, then they would report at 8:55 AM.  Get the picture!  You simply move everything up 2 hours!  Cannon County Schools could possibly close if weather conditions worsen, so just because Cannon County Schools are 2 Hours Late, things could change in that time period. A Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.

1 Hour Delay – This is seldom used in our school system.  If Cannon County Schools are going to be delayed, it will most always will be for 2 Hours Late.

Other Weather Related Delays:  Sometimes particularly in the Spring during severe weather events such as Tornado & Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Cannon County Schools could possibly be delayed leaving school or leave early to beat the severe weather.  This is handled on a case-by-case basis and a Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations

How to sign up for Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts:

Here are the steps:

1. Go to http://www.ccstn.net/

2. Click on RESOURCES

3. Click on Bright Arrow Self-Signup

4. Click on Register New User

5.  Fill in your information – Email Address and Enter a password

6.  Fill in your First Name, Last Name, Login Password, Login Password verification, Cell Phone Company, Email, and Hit Apply, OK., or Test.  You will then get a Complete Page will come up depending on what you selected. 

7.  Now you will get the first alerts that the Director of Schools will send out regarding school closures for weather and other important Cannon County Schools information!!

8.  To Unsubscribe, Simply, log back in using your password and Unsubscribe!

If a person has already signed up previously to Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts, and they have NOT been receiving Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts they may have been “opted out.”  To reinstate Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts simply, “Text the word ‘Yes’ to 87569.”  This will “opt” the person back “in” to the Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts.  If the person continues NOT to receive the Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts go back to Step 1 and create a new account.

The Cannon County School District hopes this helps parents, grandparents, and community members understand regarding these decisions and determinations that are made regarding weather events.  Cannon County Director of Schools, William Freddy Curtis commented, “Our number one priority is to keep our students and staff safe, and I pledge to always err on the side of caution. Our VISION and MISSION is our constant focus: VISION – ‘To Actively Engage in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through OUR MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Succeed and Reach Their Full Potential!’”

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 94 to provide operational flexibilities for counties affected by tornadoes and severe weather in Northwest and Middle Tennessee on December 10-11.

“The impact of severe weather in Tennessee and our neighboring states has been devastating,” said Gov. Lee. “We remain committed to providing the necessary resources to assist Tennesseans as they recover from this tragic loss.”

Executive Order 94 declares a state of emergency to facilitate relief efforts and does the following:

• Allows individuals to aid in storm damage cleanup;
• Suspends restrictions on vehicles transporting emergency supplies to areas affected by severe weather;
• Expedites special transportation permit approval for those providing services related to severe weather;
• Gives commercial motor vehicle operators providing emergency assistance temporary exception from federal rules and regulations;
• Waives state residency requirements for individuals to participate in nutrition and child wellbeing programs;
• Directs insurance companies to assist policyholders experiencing weather-related losses and allows insurance professionals licensed in other states to provide service related to severe weather;
• Permits health care professionals licensed in other states to provide health care services in Tennessee related to severe weather;
• Allows pharmacists to dispense an extra 30-day supply of maintenance prescriptions as needed in response to severe weather;
• Permits issuance of temporary contractor licenses to assist victims of severe weather;
• Gives flexibilities for vacation lodging services to provide accommodations to victims of severe weather;
• Waives fees for duplicate driver’s or photo identification licenses;
• Waives state and county clerk fees for the issuance of lost or damaged motor vehicle titles;
• Provides flexibilities for non-resident security guards and officers to secure affected areas; and
• Encourages state agencies to assist individuals affected by mail disruption and displacement.

In anticipation of further upcoming conversations around a student-based funding formula for Tennessee’s public schools, and as the department launches its School Funding Ambassadors opportunity available to any interested Tennessean, the Tennessee Department of Education invites all Tennesseans to e-mail their priorities for a student-centered public education funding strategy to tnedu.funding@tn.gov. 

After Governor Bill Lee announced in October that the state would review its public school funding formula, hundreds of Tennesseans indicated they would be interested in supporting the work of the 18 school funding subcommittees tasked with making recommendations to a steering committee of legislative leaders for a new student-based funding formula in Tennessee. The department has developed a simple form for School Funding Ambassadors to use to collect public comments from community members. Those interested in signing up to be a School Funding Ambassador can do so here. 

“I am thrilled by the response of Tennesseans across the state who have shared or sent direct feedback on what they would like to see in a new formula to fund public education,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “The conversations we’re hearing on how to best fund the academic success of our public school students are incredibly important. As we enter into the next phase of conversations, I encourage and invite all Tennesseans to submit their comments and share their priorities for a new student-based funding strategy for Tennessee.” 

Public comment and feedback received thus far is now available here. A sample of submissions is included below: 

“I think to be student focused it must follow the student, otherwise it is not student focused, because what’s right for my two kids is not the same that is right for every other person’s kid in here. We heard about values, the Tennessee values, well not everybody has the exact same value so I as a parent, I need to decide what’s right for my kids and it’s not the same for both, but the funding does need to follow the student.” – Frank Napolitano, Mid-Cumberland Region Public Town Hall Attendee 

“There needs to be more funding allocated to Response to Intervention to help schools be able to put money and resources to the 80 percent of students who need it the most, and not remain focused on that 15 percent that will learn regardless of what the education is.” – Krista Johnson, Southwest Region Public Town Hall Attendee

“Digital literacy has to be at the top of the list, financial literacy has to be the top of the list, actually all that’s hard at the top of a list when there’s a list right, but family consumer sciences-that’s something that I think is currently classified as career technical education in our school system, but that’s something everyone needs to have access to.” – Ryan Egley, SouthCentral Region Public Town Hall Attendee

“I am working to advocate for a new funding formula that fully funds all students and schools through increased funding, increased support for high needs, and rural districts, greater transparency so that families are able to advocate for their students’ needs and ensure they are adequately and holistically supported.” – Meredith McGann, First Region Public Town Hall Attendee

“It was important to have my aides because I did not start talking for a while, but I was always listening and learning. My aides helped all of my teachers and classmates, not just me. I am one of the very few students in our district who needed an aide and got one. There are a lot of kids like me who can be included the way I was, so I hope this new funding formula will fix things so they can have the best time in school like I did.” – Ben Kredich, East Region Public Town Hall Attendee

“Moving forward we recommend the state invest a similar amount as the state, as the national average GDP on a per student basis. Making future funding predictable for planning for districts, fairness in all allocations by addressing local districts, ability to pay and providing appropriate funding to districts with low property wealth. This will help make up the difference between what a district needs and what is reasonably able to contribute based on their ability to raise local revenue.” – Angela Favaloro, Southeast Region Public Town Hall Attendee

“I believe we have a critical need for a substantial increase in the number of interventionists in our schools to help one-on-one with these students. I know it is costly, but our students need it. They need more help than a single teacher can give.” – Diana Mitchell, Northwest Region Public Town Hall Attendee

“I’m on the Rural school committee…and one thing that really concerns me a lot is I’m right next to one of the largest counties growing in Tennessee and that’s Rutherford. Our teachers see the price tag of what they could earn in a neighboring county and it’s tough for us in Cannon County to keep those individuals and much less to recruit them so the equity issue raised is very critical to us because we’ve got to keep the teachers that we have.” – William Freddy Curtis, Director of Cannon County Schools, Attendee of Upper Cumberland Region Public Town Hall

“Additional funding to cover DE (Dual Enrollment) and AP (Advanced Placement) expenses, higher pay to support quality teachers so they don’t want to leave, additional support staff for teachers and students.” – Nicole Carney, Twitter Town Hall Participant

“Invest in teachers who invest in students. You will get higher quality teachers with less turnover if you pay teachers what they are worth. Teachers ARE student focused.” – Monica White, Twitter Town Hall Participant

All associated subcommittee meeting materials, including recordings, are being posted here. Video recordings of the town halls are available here and a highlight video is available here.

Tennesseans can also sign up here for weekly email updates on school funding.

On Tuesday, December 14th, the department will host its final Twitter Town Hall to engage with Tennesseans on their thoughts and feedback via social media. Follow #TNEduFunding on social media to keep updated and join the conversation about our review of public school funding and how to best serve students in Tennessee.