It sounds like every child's dream, but for many of Sumner County’s adults the Board of Education’s decision to delay the start of school could be a nightmare. Acting on a recommendation from Director of Schools Del R. Phillips, III, the School Board voted 10-1 to suspend the beginning of school indefinitely until a budget compromise can be found.

At issue is the $7 million gap between what the school board says it needs to provide a good education and the amount the County Commission is willing to provide. With the vast majority of the school budget devoted to payroll, Phillips and board members warn this year’s cuts could hit the classrooms.

 “Do we build our budget to accommodate the commission, or the students? I really hope everybody answers ‘students’,” says Phillips, who said $7 million in cuts would have a “devastating” effect on students. 
District One representative Vanessa Silkwood, who characterized the board’s budget as a “wish list,” was the sole dissenting vote.
After hearing of the school board’s action, County Executive Anthony Holt said “I am immediately, Friday morning, calling a full county commission meeting for Monday evening to take up the issue of school finance and address the school budget. This is a situation that is unacceptable and we need to work together to find a solution. This hurts not only the students, parents, and teachers but also has a negative impact on our county

Budget Committee Chairman Kirk Moser stated, “The Budget Committee is going to meet after the Education Committee meeting in a special called session to discuss the Sumner County School Board action and possibly vote on any recommendation the Education Committee brings to us.”

By Corey Conley 

Staff Writer Jesse Hughes contributed to this story.