WCMS Principal To Chair Subcommittee As State Discusses BEP Formula

White County Middle School Principal Farrah Griffith will serve as chair of the principal subcommittee as the state begins work on school funding.

Griffith said she will be facilitating engagement of principals statewide as Tennessee leaders review the BEP funding formula.

“That formula really hasn’t been revamped in the last 30 years,” Griffith said. “So, schools have had to do a lot of unfunded work. So, we’re hoping we can get some equity for funding for the good work teachers have already been doing at the expense of local government.”

Griffith said more funding for nurses and learning intervention positions is something she wants addressed. Griffith said the sub-committee will begin as soon as late October.

“For instance in White County, we’re funded for one nurse, and the county picks up the cost of funding the nurses for the other eight schools,” Griffith said. “Also, we have Response to Intervention teachers in every school. Those are unfunded by the state.”

Griffith said the group of principals will work with the state for five months. Griffith said the size of the committee is unknown at this time. Griffith said her personal thought is a principal for each region would participate.

Griffith has also served on the Executive Committee of the Principal Study Council and Co-Chair of the Upper Cumberland Principal Study Council.