Nashville teachers are holding ‘calls’ after pandemic relief funds expire

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Monday was the last day schools across the country could take advantage of the money the federal government gave them after the pandemic. With no future funding in sight, dozens of people chanted and marched outside Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) on Monday, part of a nationwide movement.

Teachers, parents and even students came armed with signs and voices to make it clear that $200 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds would be lost.

“Local funding is not enough,” said Dr. Paula Pendergrass, president of the Metro Nashville Education Association. “State funds are not enough. We will need federal funds.”

Of the $200 billion, MNPS earned $276 million.

“MNPS leadership has done a good job of ensuring that programs and staff are not reduced,” Dr. Pendergrass said.

This month, MNPS said it had used all of the money given to them, also known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). MNPS says it has used it to build infrastructure such as new laptops and Wi-Fi. They also enhanced accelerated learning programs, increased the number of advisors, and streamlined summer or extended learning.

They recently signed a resolution to ask the federal government for more consistent money at the Board of Education meeting.

MNPS has announced that the wind-up of Covid funds in which they plan to participate has been extended. This means that all funds have been allocated or used, but the invoicing and refund process has been extended.

Metro Government also provided MNPS with one-time funding to extend many ESSER-funded programs through the end of the school year.