Tennessee Senator Andy Berke Wants More Money Spent In School Classrooms

Parents tired of requests for school fundraisers may soon get a break.  Hamilton County and other school districts across Tennessee could soon be told by the state to trim the fat, in an effort to get more money into the classroom.

From school libraries short on books, to classrooms thin on supplies, some wonder when it comes to schools, where does the money go?  "We have some items, but they get used, rulers get broken, sharpies run out of ink, especially with art projects," says teacher Misty Mitchell.

Andy BerkeHearing the pleas from teachers and parents, Freshman State Senator Andy Berke (D) filed his first significant piece of legislation.  We need to tell our schools the priority is in the classroom where the kids are and where they're learning," says Berke, who wants 70% of all school system expenses spent on classroom needs by the 2012-2013 school year.

Four years later, Berke wants that rate set at 90%.  "At my daughters school, I know the funds given to them by school system other than salaries pays for the telephone bill, and some copies, and that's about it," says Berke.

The state comptroller reports only 3 out of 136 school systems in Tennessee currently spend 70% or more of their total budget in the classroom.  The top school system hits 76%.  Hamilton County falls short of the mark.  A review of the system's 2006-2007 school year finances puts BEP defined classroom expenses around 64%.

Superintendent Jim Scales says that's changing.  "When I first came to the district the powers that be so to speak said we needed to have more of a business model and the way we're starting to develop our budget this year is to look at where and how we spend our dollars."

In order to meet the 70% requirement today, Hamilton County would need to shift $20-million from places like administration, transportation, or maintenance -- to the classroom.

Berke's proposal goes before the Senate education committee tomorrow morning.  You can watch here starting at 9am.  Another Tennessee Valley lawmaker, Republican Senator Bo Watson signed onto the bill as a co-sponsor.