John Coffelt, Editor

The Manchester Board of Education approved during the April 14 meeting a carefully worded resolution that will facilitate district teachers receiving a one-time bonus through the state voucher law.

The highly controversial voucher bill that was signed into law in February included a provision that includes a one-time $2,000 bonus to teachers.

That bonus came with a last-minute amendment requiring school boards across the various districts in the state to pass a resolution “accepting” the state’s new school voucher system in order for teachers to receive the bonus.

Area schools have been outspoken critics of voucher programs.

“One of the components was that the state would give a $2,000 bonus to all teaching certified employees. Basically, anyone who is evaluated as a teacher would receive a … bonus. In order to get that bonus, each board of education … has to pass a resolution accepting that,” said Dr. Joey Vaughn Director of Manchester City Schools.

“Our wording has been very careful,” he said.

The key paragraph of the resolution states that the Manchester Board of Education “affirms its intent to participate in the Education Freedom Act of 2025 for the sole purpose of securing these one-time payments for teachers.”

“The resolution is strictly limited to (the bonus related language in the act) and should not be endorsement or approval of any other part of this legislation,” it read.

The board approved the resolution 3-0 with members Travis Hillis and Lee Sullivan absent.

Educators nervously await federal funding news

MCS, like many other districts that also base many of its current programs on funds from the federal government, is optimistically waiting for news on what affect changes in Washington could have on what schools receive at the local level. 

Director of Federal Programs Mick Shuran told the board that the district, as it is formulating the budget that starts July 1, is still awaiting word on what federal funding will be.

“There’s not a lot going on, nobody is telling us a lot on our consolidated grant that we have to turn in in May. We’re basing it on money that we think are there, but we are doing the best we can,” Shuran said.

Shuran said he foresees any cuts coming in Title 3, 4 and 5, while Title 1 funding should stay in place. He said that the Title 1 is the larger of the grants and the other Title programs are smaller pots of money.

“But they still play a significant role because we are able to shuffle that money around and cover some other areas,” Shuran said. “Title 2 is a pretty big one. If we lost Title 2 that would hurt.”

Shuran said that what he has heard from the Department of Education is that the allocations are supposed to remain the same.

“But we have thoughts in place about what we are going to do if it doesn’t happen,” he said.

Title programs in education are federal funding initiatives designed to support schools and students, particularly those in high-poverty areas. They aim to improve academic achievement, provide a well-rounded education, and ensure all students, including English learners, meet state standards. 

Title I, Part A provides financial assistance to schools with high numbers or percentages of low-income students.  Title II focuses on improving teacher and principal quality, aiming to increase student achievement. Title III supports English language learners. Title IV aims to improve student achievement by providing all students with access to a well-rounded education, improving school conditions, and promoting the effective use of technology to enhance academic achievement and digital literacy.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.