News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
With school enrollment declining across the state, changes to Basic Education Plan funds could change.
Senator Paul Bailey said he thinks funds will remain steady through 2021. He said legislature members will understand declining enrollment numbers as a result of the pandemic.
“But at the same time, if we are back to a normal type classroom environment, then we’ll make sure that the BEP funds are there to fund schools in a way that they need to be funded,” Bailey said.
Bailey said BEP funding is based on pupil to teacher ratio, which can vary depend on grade level. He said the Department of Education is constantly tracking the number of students that are enrolled and absent.
Legislatures and the state school board will meet in January to review enrollment data and determine the next step. Bailey said students need to return to a normal five day in-person schedule.
“It’s so that we do not lose students ability to learn,” Bailey said. “Plus they need that interaction with other students, especially those that are young students. So the quicker we get back to some normalcy for our students and for our families is really paramount.”
Senator Bailey represents Cumberland, Jackson, Overton, Bledsoe, Putnam, and White Counties.
