Tennessee Senate Bill SB2188

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5 and Title 49, Chapter 3, relative to the apportionment of education funding in a county in which an LEA has established a public virtual school.

Summary

SB2188 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code with regards to how education funding is apportioned in counties that have established public virtual schools. The bill specifically focuses on the calculation of funding distribution based on the full-time equivalent average daily attendance for students in a county, which is adjusted according to a specific calculation method outlined in the bill. Essentially, it modifies existing laws to adapt to the presence of virtual schooling options within local education frameworks. The legislation introduces a new structure for funding distribution that stipulates how local school funds must be apportioned among various Local Education Agencies (LEAs) operating in counties with public virtual schools. Notably, it highlights that only counties with a certain number of special school districts can use this funding model. This approach could streamline the funding process in counties adapting to educational changes brought about by the expansion of virtual education. Supporters of SB2188 argue that it provides a necessary framework for allocating resources effectively among different educational institutions, especially in a rapidly evolving environment driven by technological advances and changes in student attendance patterns. They posit that counties will benefit from a clearer and more defined process for managing educational funding that aligns with the new modes of education delivery. Conversely, potential points of contention may arise around how funding formulas are constructed and the implications for traditional schools that may see a shift in funding allocations. There may be concerns about whether the new formula adequately addresses the needs of all educational entities within a county and if it favors specific types of educational systems over others. Thus, discussions surrounding equity in education funding will likely surface as the bill progresses through legislative scrutiny.