With Budget Shortfall Looming, MNPS Board Calls For Audit

NASHVILLE, TN -- Metro Schools board members got the first official look at a scaled down budget Tuesday as the district struggles with an estimated $7.5 million shortfall due to declining enrollment, but some board members said district officials should have done more to prepare them for the financial strain.

Earlier this month, MNPS administration sent notice to the district's principals that despite Nashville's population growth, enrollment in the district was down some 500 students despite projections that had the district growing by 1,500 students. Because state funding is divvied out on a per-student basis, the district's budget will be $7.5 million short next year.

School board member Amy Frogge called for an audit of the district's books and said that more should have been done to keep the board in the loop.

"The administration learned about this problem in the fall but the board was not made aware of the amount of the shortfall or of any administrative plans to alleviate it," she said.

Director of Schools Shawn Joseph said he was fine with an audit but urged the board to be mindful of extra expenses with an ever-tightening budget. Joseph also said he warned the board about the looming cuts in October.

“I wouldn’t say this should be a surprise to anyone, particularly members who have been on the board for years, who know that when you have a shortfall, within a year, you’ve got to make the cuts,” he said.

Part of the district's spending plan, which was revealed Tuesday, will move federal money for low-income students - so-called Title I dollars - to the schools with the greatest need; while that would necessarily mean fewer schools would have access to that money, it would focus it on the schools which need it most.

There will be another public hearing on the budget at 4 p.m. March 27.

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