Burchett: Knox ranks 4th out of 95 counties in local per-pupil funding

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett today fired back at critics who say the county doesn't put enough coin into the school system. 

In a news release issued today, he said Knox County "ranks 11 out of the more than 130 school districts statewide in local per-pupil funding, something that is not being made clear by those pushing for a tax increase."

The release continued:

While some would have the public believe that Knox County does not provide enough support to the Knox County Schools, the reality is that our local per-pupil spending in Knox County is higher than nearly 92 percent of the state.

“The $4,835 Knox County taxpayers spend in local revenue per pupil is nearly 30 percent higher than the statewide average of local per-pupil spending on education,” the mayor said.. “The fact that adding state funding to Knox County’s per-pupil spending amount drops our ranking from 11 to 51 shows that any funding issue that may exist for Knox County Schools is the result of a disparity in state funding, not local revenue. The solution to this problem needs to be found in Nashville, not in Knox County, where some want to raise taxes or raid our reserves.”

When comparing only county school districts, Knox County ranks fourth out of 95 counties in the state in local per-pupil funding.

“I would encourage the board of education and the public to contact the Knox County legislative delegation and ask for their support in addressing this state funding problem,” said Mayor Burchett.”