Rutherford County legislators recently announced they are calling for a thorough study by the state's Department of Education's Basic Education Program (BEP) Review Committee examining the BEP funding formula and how it supports rapidly growing school districts in Tennessee.

In a letter to Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn dated Sept. 23, members of the Rutherford County Legislative Delegation asked for the formal review citing challenges many districts are facing in providing adequate educational opportunities for students with incomplete funding determined by the BEP formula. 

“Growth counties are experiencing an explosion in the number of students entering the school systems, which is requiring expansion on the number of facilities,” the letter states. “Despite partial funding, growth counties are having difficulty in budgeting for the building of these facilities because the BEP does not explicitly account for such growth.”

BEP money designated to school districts is what the state has determined to be sufficient to provide a basic level of education for Tennessee students.

The letter is signed by all six members of the General Assembly that represent Rutherford County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state. The legislators include State Senators Dawn White and Shane Reeves, both of Murfreesboro; State Representatives Bryan Terry, Charlie Baum, Tim Rudd, all of Murfreesboro, and Mike Sparks of Smyrna.  

The Rutherford County lawmakers requested the committee provide recommendations for revisions, additions, or deletions to the BEP formula, to help counties experiencing accelerated growth ensure every student has the same resources and educational opportunities.