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Submitted by Greg Campbell –
It’s Time for the School Board To Do Its Job – Without Raising Our Taxes!
As a lifelong Republican, a dad, and a taxpayer here in Hamilton County, I’m writing to say something simple: our Republican-led school board needs to act like leaders. Not pass the buck to the voters in the form of a tax referendum.
Let’s be honest. The Hamilton County School System is asking for more money – again. The proposed FY2026 budget is nearly $692 million, a sharp increase over previous years. This is happening even though student enrollment has stayed flat. If we’re paying more each year but not seeing better results in the classroom, where is all that money going?
Worse, part of our education spending is going toward students who are in this country illegally, while the real needs of Tennessean students may not even be fully met. The Tennessee Constitution does not require us to fund education for non-citizens, and yet taxpayers are footing that bill while struggling with rising costs in their own lives. Shouldn’t we at least know how many non-citizen students are in our schools and what it’s costing?
This brings us to the real issue: responsibility. The state constitution “encourages” education but it does not mandate ever-growing local budgets or tax hikes. We expect our elected officials – especially Republicans – to use conservative judgement, prioritize wisely, and hold bureaucracies accountable. That means voting “no” when the system grows too large and unsustainably.
The so-called “budget shortfall” didn’t happen because the public underfunded education. It happened because the school system used temporary COVID dollars like they were permanent revenue. Now, those funds are gone, and they want taxpayers to fill the gap. That’s not how responsible budgeting works, and it shouldn’t be how public education operates either.
No other school model gets to operate like this. Homeschool families, charter schools, parochial schools, and private academies – all have to live within their means. Many of these families pay tuition AND taxes. Why should the public system be exempt from the kind of discipline every other school lives by?
Education today is not one-size-fits-all. Tennessee values educational choice through vouchers that help families choose what’s best for their children. Public schools are one part of a larger education ecosystem and should be funded fairly, not excessively.
If the school board passes this $692 million budget, it heads to the County Commission. And some commissioners are already talking about putting a sales tax hike on the ballot. That’s not leadership. That’s sidestepping responsibility. And worse, it would subject voters to a politicized, emotionally charged campaign by special interests that will divide our community. We elected Republicans to lead, not to push off tough decisions.
Here’s my message: School Board, do not pass the blame. Do not kick the can. Tighten your belt like every other school model has to.
