Image Credit: sycamoreinstitutetn.org
The Center Square [By Jon Styf] –
No state has ever rejected federal funding for K-12 education, so when Tennessee looks at potentially doing that in a committee over the next few weeks it would be expensive and uncharted territory, according to a new analysis from nonprofit think tank Sycamore Institute.
“The days of historically large surpluses may be over, but Tennessee likely still has room in the budget to replace federal funding at the expense of other potential investments,” the report said.
The new Federal Education Funding Working Group will meet between Nov. 6-15, digging into the potential impact of rejecting that federal funding and the requirements that go along with it.
Currently, Tennessee has to adapt when federal requirements change and the federal government is not currently fully funding its commitments. “If Tennessee rejected federal dollars, the state would have to work out many details to ensure a smooth transition for districts,” the report said. “If rejected, much of Tennessee’s federal education funding would probably go to other states.”
While some funding requirements match state requirements, Sycamore Institute found the federal requirements add a costly administrative burden on each state that accepts the funds.
“Many federal requirements could still apply to Tennessee schools even if the state rejected federal K-12 dollars — creating questions that would likely be resolved in court,” the report said.
It also would become uncertain if Tennessee would also lose eligibility for federal aid during recessions and how quickly the state could change its mind and regain federal funding.
About the Author: Jon Styf, The Center Square Staff Reporter – Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies. Follow Jon on Twitter @JonStyf.
11 Responses
An interesting development. Federal administrative requirements are burdensome and expensive. But the larger question is why we allow the federal government to bribe us with our own money. Congress should abandon this program (federal school subsidies) and let local governments run the traditionally local schools
I’d rather spend extra money on education than on gifts to sports stadiums, like $500 million to the Titans, which made them the most valuable pro football team. That was stupid.
I’d rather tax dollars go for education than to fund sports team, like $500 million to the Titans. That was stupid. That made them the most valuable pro football team.
When politicians call spending investments they lose me in the conversation. All politicians seek is control and that goes double for federal politicians.
We all need to study the founding of this country and the mandates of the Federal government. Money, power and greed is all our government has turned into. When politicians lose control they panic so they throw money around like it is there for a political slush fund.
Having said that….we are at fault for electing the crooks we call our representatives.
Taking federal money and letting them push their evil, perverted agenda on TN kids is literally making a deal with the devil.
Stop.
To be honest, I think we are going to see States seceding from the corporate (and bankrupt) United States of Amertica in the very near future. It’s not just about the expense of meeting federal requirements for education, it’s about health mandates, no border protection, corruption at the highest levels in EVERY federal bureaucracy and the utter waste of taxpayer money. It’s 1776 all over again.
I think people would be surprised at how much can be done with much LESS. The US spends WAAAY more money per student, and students still graduate not being able to read, write, and perform even simple mathematics. More schools are ditching tech and going old school, and better grades and performance has been the outcome. In schools that I have worked at, the football and basketball teams brought in huge amounts of money, but it was kept by the sports department to purchase luxury “wants” for the coaches, etc. Those funds should be funding the schools.
Whatever it takes to get out from under lucifer’s feds.
I have questions of my own….. HOW DARE the federal government try to intimidate us by withholding OUR OWN dollars from us? They wouldn’t have jack to give if we stopped paying “federal” taxes!!!
Tell them to stick their agenda driven, blackmailing, grooming, pedophile loving, ungodly $ where the sun don’t shine.
Take ANY AND ALL $ set for frivolous crap like stadiums, “event centers” and give to our schools that ONLY TN has the day over. Knee taking teams and their fans want a stadium? Let THEM pay for one, players can take less $, owners take less profit, CEOs take less pay, and if that’s not enough fans can pay more to watch the kneel !
KICK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THEIR “EDUCATION ZAR” OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS too!! Oh and GREATLY DOWNSIZE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS and save that local $ too!!!!
Congress should abandon this !
“Many federal requirements could still apply to Tennessee…”
Jon S, ie.,requirements ?
Watch the video at this link. A.J. Depriest breaks down the $2.4 BILLION in covidbux that went to TN schools. IF they forced masking, distancing and the deathvax. It explains what you saw with certain moronic school boards and college campuses in this state. Lockdown Lee pretending that school boards and unelected health departments suddenly had power to mandate medical decisions for your children, while at the same time he was powerless with his almighty executive orders he used to declare you or your business “non-essential”. They sold out your kids (again) for Uncle Sugar money. Just like Race To The Trough. Just like Common Core “state” Standards. They are crackheads that can’t give up their fix. It won’t happen. Starve the Beast. Remove your kids.
https://thehighwire.com/ark-videos/covid-19-following-the-money/