Since 1986, the City of Brentwood has contributed over $7.2 million to Brentwood schools as part of the annual budgeting process. The “Educational Contributions Policy” was initially adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 1993 and revised in 2012 to help set parameters for these contributions. 

The current policy is clear that City funding should be for non-recurring capital needs and programs and not for routine operating and maintenance expenses. Supplemental funding should be used to enhance programs over and beyond what is provided by the Williamson County Schools. The current policy is also explicit that no school should become dependent on City contributions for basic programs and activities in the event City funding must be reduced or eliminated. 

Over the past few years, several school representatives have mentioned that the funding their schools have received will be used for tables, desks, and other furniture items. The Board of Commissioners has expressed concerns that these items are not necessarily within the intent of the policy but are more operating expenses that should be covered by Williamson County Schools. In order to eliminate any confusion, staff has drafted a minor amendment to the policy to more explicitly state this. Specifically, staff proposes that the bold text be added: 

The City will not fund ongoing and routine operating and maintenance expenses (such as salaries, usable supplies, utilities, repairs, etc.), nor will the City fund purchases of furniture, as these are all items that should be funded by the Williamson County Schools system. 

A redlined version of the entire policy is attached, as is a clean version.

Should you have any questions, please contact the City Attorney, the Finance Director, or the City Manager.