NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville, has proposed legislation to support small school districts by adjusting their funding and changing how the state identifies low-income students.
House Bill 226 adjusts the current Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula to provide a one- to two-percent increase for school systems serving fewer than 1,500 students.
Specifically, the proposal includes 2% additional funding per student in school systems with 1,001 to 1,500 students, and districts under 1,000 students would see their extra funding weight increase to 6%.
“Many smaller districts simply don’t have the same local tax base to generate funding, and this legislation helps ensure they receive the support they need to serve their students,” Haston said. “At the same time, changes to how we define economically disadvantaged students have unintentionally excluded some who still need assistance. These bills work together to correct that.”
House Bill 2485 expands the definition of economically disadvantaged students for TISA funding purposes to include students enrolled in TennCare, or those in a household that receives federal nutrition assistance such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and who are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
The definition of economically disadvantaged students has changed several times over the years, putting student eligibility and related funding in limbo. If approved, this legislation would bring the state’s definition back to its original form.
If the reclassification causes a loss of funding for school districts, the state would temporarily make up the difference through July 1, 2030.
House Bill 226 and House Bill 2485 were placed behind the budget to be considered at a later date.
Kirk Haston represents District 72 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes Chester, Decatur, Perry and parts of Hardin and Henderson counties.
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