Metro Nashville Public Schools Faces Budget Challenges

Nashville, TN, September 26, 2025

News Summary

Metro Nashville Public Schools is grappling with significant budgetary pressures as Mayor Freddie O’Connell proposes an almost $1.4 billion budget increase. This increase represents a 13% rise over the previous year and equates to around 37% of Nashville’s overall budget for the coming fiscal year. Following the cessation of federal emergency funding, the district is already experiencing staffing cuts and a rise in vacant teaching positions, while exploring new staffing models to accommodate the financial strains.

Nashville, TN – Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is navigating significant budget challenges amid a proposed budget increase of nearly $1.4 billion from Mayor Freddie O’Connell. This marks a 13% increase over the previous year’s budget and represents approximately 37% of Nashville’s total budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The district faces uncertain future funding, particularly as emergency federal funding is set to end. With this looming loss of financial support, the MNPS budget faces added complexities. Adding to the strain, 79 staff members received non-renewal letters this year due to shifts in enrollment and program changes, alongside an additional 80 support staff members who were also let go for budget-related reasons.

Most teaching positions in MNPS are primarily funded through local and state sources, with only a few supported by COVID-19 federal funds. The mayor’s proposed budget includes $64 million designated for services in the MNPS annual operating budget to help offset gaps caused by the end of federal support.

For the upcoming 2024-25 school year, 584 individuals have been displaced, a rise from 542 the previous year. Notably, 124 certificated staff were displaced in the prior year for similar issues related to funding and enrollment changes. At present, 543 full-time teaching positions and 221 support staff positions remain open within the district, indicating ongoing staffing challenges.

The budget planning process for MNPS relies heavily on school principals who create budgets based on current student enrollment figures and demographics. Under the proposed budget, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is anticipated for staff salaries, estimated at approximately $18.6 million. Additionally, the budget designates $9.2 million for step increases in salaries for both teachers and non-teachers. If the budget is approved, the average total raise for staff may reach around 5%.

The district is seeing the exhaustion of initial federal funding that was provided by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program, which had contributed $425 million to the MNPS budget. In light of these financial challenges, the proposed budget allocates $65.5 million to sustain essential programs previously funded by ESSER, including resources for mental health and tutoring.

To stabilize its staff, MNPS is exploring innovative staffing models, such as classroom associates. However, there have been ongoing criticisms regarding the budget submission process and demands for greater transparency in budget discussions.

The full council will vote on the proposed budget in June, followed by a review and approval from the school board before the new fiscal year commences on July 1.

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Additional Resources

• Fox 17: Nashville Schools Face Funding Issues
• Wikipedia: Nashville
• News Channel 5: Empower, Equip, and Support Teachers and Families
• Google Search: Nashville schools funding
• WKRN: Federal Funding Freeze Impacts Schools
• Google Scholar: Nashville education funding
• Tennessee Lookout: Schools Risk Funding Loss
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Nashville public schools
• The Tennessean: Nashville Schools Budget Raises
• Google News: Nashville schools

Author: HERE Nashville

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