NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell says several programs that had been previously paid for with federal COVID money, called ESSER funds, will be continuing, even as that federal money dries up.
"The scholars portfolio that included Promising Scholars, I've heard from so many parents that their students got so much out of that," O'Connell said. "We've put a nurse in every school now, which was something we were looking for a long time to do. Public health has been part of that effort for a long time."
But how will those programs be paid for?
Metro Schools and the city have talked about building an ESSER bridge, instead of falling off a funding cliff, to keep the programs running.
At a Metro Schools budget committee meeting in March, Superintendent Adrienne Battle talked about paying for those programs and building that bridge by dipping into the school district's reserve funds.
Metro school leaders and others say they hope to incorporate those programs, like nurses for every school, as part of their recurring budgets in the years going forward.
I'm not sure there is a story that's brought a bigger smile to our faces than this one celebrating Ms. Marie. The story of her service during World War II is amazing in itself — she is a true Rosie the Riveter! What was also amazing was to see was how an entire community turned out to celebrate her. You've got to check this out!
-Carrie Sharp
