Budget Committee meets today to consider options; fiscal year begins July 1

BY SUSAN SHARP

CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- Campbell County Schools is facing a $2.8 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.

The deficit can be attributed to inflation, a reduction in funding and teacher raises, according to Director of Schools Jennifer Fields. The financial shortage information was relayed to her by the county finance department in early March. Teacher raises account for $1.2 million of the deficit with remaining shortage being a victim of inflation, she said. Specifically, utilities, insurance premiums, etc. Fields said she was told.

This shortfall was unexpected because under the new TISA (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement) funding formula, the system received $7.8 million more dollars than it had under the old BEP (Basic Education Program.) The TISA formula began with the 2023-24 school year. That year the budget was fully funded.

But this year under TISA, there has been a $586,000 reduction in funding.

No plan has been decided to steer the system back into the black, but Fields does have a solution. She wants to present it to the budget committee this afternoon before making it public. Fields wants the solution to be “economically feasible” while factoring the human element into the equation.

WLAF spoke with a Campbell County School Board Member about budget issues. The board member spoke with WLAF on the condition of anonymity.

In the opinion of the board member, Campbell County Schools has four options to address the funding problem.

Use money in the fund balance to make up the difference

Under state law there is a designated amount that must be kept in that reserve. Also, any project that is underway must be accounted for. Currently, there is an overage of three percent more than required by state law in the fund, Fields said. While it “has never been done before” using fund balance money to make up the deficit is “absolutely an option,” she said.  She did say it wasn’t sustainable but still an option.

Use money in the fund balance, make cuts and move forward

Fields was adamant that she wants a sustainable solution while considering people’s livelihood. The board member suggested under this option any school that required a subsidy to operate would have one year to not needing a subsidy or closure could be an option. Other budget cuts would also be considered, the board member said.

Large scale cuts

This move would go “way beyond personnel” but keep needed services, the board member said. Among those cuts, non-tenured teachers would not be rehired, but they could apply for open positions commensurate with their credentials.  

Closures

“This has never been a topic of discussion,” Fields said. “I will never be the person to bring up closing a school or consolidating. That would be my last option to ever do and I would look for other alternatives.”

Currently, the largest schools are receiving the least amount of services, according to the board member. For example, Campbell County High School receives $56.32 a day per student while White Oak Elementary is getting $89.50 a day per student. Elk Valley Elementary School receives $74.61 a day per student. Wynn Elementary School sees $81.86 a day per student. Also in the fifth district is Jellico Elementary which receives $67.38 a day per student. White Oak and Elk Valley serve around 100 students each. Both schools are within 11 miles of another school. Combining these resources could mean improvements across the county, the board member said.

There is also an option to generate new funding, according to the board member.

Campbell County Schools could launch an online school for students. Providing this free option to county students could be mutually beneficial for the system and county families, according  to the board member. When a student enrolls in an option outside the county, the county loses money. In some cases, families must pay for a yearly curriculum. Opening an online school could generate $7,295 a year per student. This has “never been activated,” according to Fields. If the board approved, a year of planning would be optimal, Fields said.

With several options on the table, Fields is looking for a permanent solution that balances the budget while looking at the cost of doing so.

The budget committee meets today at 5pm at the Central Office, lower level. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 4/30/2025-6AM)

Related