Memphis City Schools Beat Blog

Memphis City Schools officials keep getting bad news these days when it comes to their funding for the new fiscal year, which is just two weeks away.

The district could lose about $70 million in federal funding it uses to help students and schools make the grade for No Child Left Behind.

Aubrey Bond, MCS executive director for federal programs and grants, said federal regulations require a local school district to be in compliance with its state education department to receive the funds.

If the City Council follows through with its $66.2 million cut to city schools' operating budget tomorrow, it will put the district out of compliance with the Tennessee Department of Education and will result in the department withholding MCS' $423 million allocation starting Oct. 1

That money is used to provide additional staff to schools where coaches help guide teachers in teaching math, science and literacy skills.  New classroom computers and software that helps kids learn, like the new Stanford Math computer program the district used this year, are also purchased from that money.

Board members were hesitant Monday night during a capital investments committee meeting to approve any new spending in light of the district's fluid funding situation. They grilled staffers about purchases with a tenacity not seen since shortly after the Central Nutrition Center scandal broke last fall.

District staff, parents and board members will be present during the council's 3:30 p.m. meeting today to see if it decides to take up the budget issue again. If not, a lawsuit against the council is forthcoming, possibly before week's end.