Tennessee Legislative Outlook, 2007
Several years ago rural districts won a lawsuit challenging the Basic Education Plan, the state’s finance plan. Their win was based largely on the fact that rural districts had much lower salaries than urban districts, reducing their ability to compete for and retain teachers. Now urban districts in Tennessee are concerned that some of the new provisions of the formula are detrimental to the largest districts. A recent study by the state’s Comptroller supports the claims of the urban districts, which want Governor Phil Bredeson to weigh in on the matter. Governor Bredeson is calling for expanded pre-K programs. He also wants to use state lottery funds for education.