Laptops at schools in the Nashville area (Rutherford: attorney, to buy)

[El Passeaux]

Originally Posted by vivelafrance

To most people, one of the biggest advantages of moving to TN is lower taxes. With lower taxes come less services. The schools here do not offer as wide of an array of programs as those in high tax states like the northeast....and even the best public schools there pale in comparison to schools where I'm from in France (where the tax burden is much, much higher). So I think its ridiculous when people move here from those areas and complain about the lack of services (educational and otherwise) when they moved here to escape high taxes in the first place. However, with less taxes you should (in theory) have more money to provide your children access to better materials and technology.

Amen!

[BirdieBelle]

Williamson County has been very proud that it has not had a property tax increase in nearly two decades. Our schools are starting to feel the side effects of that. When it comes time to vote on possible tax increases, we have more "voters" than "parents" show up at the polls.
Many empty-nesters who live here don't care what our schools need, even though the reputation of the schools is a major factor in what has driven the growth that has spiked their property values.

[Anony-Momma]

What is the amount per pupil that Nashville area schools get and how is that determined with no state income tax?

In our state (the one we're being transferred from), students with IEP's (special education) generate a higher pupil headcount income, with a big percentage coming from the state. How does a state with no state income tax earn and distribute money for special education; how much money does a school get for each child w/ an IEP?

Anyone know?

[Anony-Momma]

Found that $ info for Franklin Special School District:
http://www.fssd.org/info.pdf

[BirdieBelle]

For Williamson County, from an article dated 10/21/10:

"According to the Tennessee Teachers Association, Williamson County spent $7,145 per pupil in 2008, which is the most recent information available for comparison purposes. Comparably speaking Hamilton County is ranked 15th in the state for per-pupil spending. In 2008, they spent $8,476 per pupil. Montgomery County, ranked 90th, spent $6,724 and Rutherford County spent $6,485 and was ranked 109th in spending.

Williamson County Finance Director David Coleman said 64.3 percent of the 2010-11 county budget is allocated to the school district. “If you add in the debt service,” he said, “the number is 72.4 percent of the budget. Schools don’t carry debt service in their budget, the county does.” The debt service is for school building projects that are either still being paid for or are currently under way. In Hamilton County, the school district budget is 50 percent of the total budget and roughly 65 percent with debt service. Numbers for Montgomery County were unavailable. In Rutherford County, Finance Director Lisa Nolen said the schools represent 67.4 percent of the county’s overall budget and with debt service, the number increases to 75.5 percent."

According to Dr, Looney, the largest chunk of the schools budget is spent on teacher salaries and health insurance.

I don;t know what the county's special education budget is, but I do know that fewer than 10% of WCS students have IEPs.

[Anony-Momma]

[quote=Wmsn4Life;16563425]I don;t know what the county's special education budget is, but I do know that fewer than 10% of WCS students have IEPs.[/quote]

That seems low to me. (I could be wrong.) Makes me wonder, though.

Do families w/ students who qualify for IEPs homeschool instead, or private school?

Is the public school system that good at differentiating instruction for all learners w/o IEPs? Could they missing a lot of special needs?

OR

Could schools that get more state funding (because of a state income tax) be over labeling children to put them into special ed to generate more funding?

[BirdieBelle]

The 10% is a reported stat. But I believe that their inclusion policy is not for everyone.
Many families do go private.

[akm4]

Perhaps it has nothing to do with how well WCS differentiate kids who need IEPs, or how many they miss.

A family who had a child at Currey-Ingram (a private school known as a top choice for students with learning challenges) told me that Williamson Co. is especially well-represented there. That could skew the number of IEP students in our public schools. Perhaps a higher percentage of those families can afford the tuition at CI.

[Anony-Momma]

How much is tuition at CI?

[akm4]

From their website-

Tuition
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: K-9
Application Fee $250
Due when application is submitted (one-time fee)
Enrollment Fee $300
Due when contract is signed (annual fee)
Tuition $29,995
Includes lunch, some school supplies and technology resources
Tuition Refund Plan* $869.86
*optional if tuition is paid in full prior to the first day of classes

2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: 10-12
Application Fee $250
Due at time application is submitted (one-time fee)
Enrollment Fee $300
Due at time contract is signed (annual fee)
Tuition $33,378
Includes lunch, some school supplies, and technology resources
Tuition Refund Plan* $967.96
*optional if tuition is paid in full prior to the first day of classes

2010-2011 Additional Costs (required or optional)
-Required uniforms
-Required books and supplies
-Academic Study Hall (mostly optional, but can be required if student is unable to complete homework independently)
-Optional bus transportation
-Optional After-Care
-Optional After-School clubs or lessons