All You Need to Know about MNPS
1) What is a school board?
A school board governs the local public schools, sets policies, hires personnel, and manages the school district budget. Their decisions affect students, teachers, and the community.
Functions of a school board:
Develop policies and regulations for the school district
Approve the school district’s budget and allocate the budget and resources effectively
Hire, evaluate, and terminate the superintendent and other administrators
Link to Metro’s school board meetings & events:
3) What is a school district?
A school district is a geographical area of a state that is responsible for providing public education. Its governing body is the school board.
Functions of a school district:
Determine the school zone or "cluster" of a student based on the geographical area.
Charter schools are not part of these districts
2) Who is your school board member?
District 4
District 7
5) Types of schools
Public: schools operated by local, state, and federal government funds
Antioch, Overton, Cane Ridge, JFK, etc.
Public Virtual: online school (MNPS Virtual School)
Private: schools that are not funded by the government/can be run by nonprofit or for-profit organizations.
Meigs Middle, Hume Fogg, MLK, East Nashville Middle, Merrol Hyle, etc.
Magnet: specializes in areas such as technology, science, or the arts; free public schools operated by school districts or a group of districts.
Charter: a tuition-free school of choice that is publicly funded but independently run
LEAD, STEM, KIPP, Valor, etc.
What does it mean to be independently run?
Anyone with a Bachelor of Arts can teach/work at a charter school
Charter School does not get access to MNPS resources, sports, or extracurriculars
Charter schools can kick kids out for low grades
District 1
7) Pre-K Enrollment
How to Apply for Pre-K (Arabic): https://youtu.be/E2JId07ux7I
How to Apply for Pre-K (English): https://youtu.be/U1gGSZ0QF1g
Must be at least 4 years old
What is Head Start?
Federally funded programs that promote the school readiness of children ages 3-5 from eligible families through education
Enrollment Inquiry Form: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/metro-action/head-start/waiting-list-application
9) What is TN General Assembly?
Functions of TN General Assembly:
Proposes legislation & enacts laws.
Provides a forum for debate on various issues.
Secures financing for the operation of state government.
11) What is Community Achieves?
MNPS school initiative
Links students and families to enrichment opportunities and vital community resources
MNPS works closely with partners and volunteers to provide wrap-around services to our students and families.
Distributes food, hygiene supplies, and other resources to families
See if your school is a Community Achieves school:
https://www.mnps.org/students-families/get-involved/communityachieves
If it is not a community achieves school, you must request these resources from school administration
13) How do you get involved?
Attend board meetings, address concerns, and voice your opinions. Volunteer for committees, or run for a position on the school board or metro council.
MNPS Board Calendar:
Speak at a school board meeting: https://form.jotform.com/223485920774060
Metro Council Meeting Calendar: https://nashville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
District 2
District 5
4) Who is your school board member (Rutherford County)?
District 3
District 6
6) Clusters vs. School Choice Models
Clusters: the grouping of schools within the same geographical location
School Choice: a program or policy in which students are given the choice to attend a school other than their district's public school (e.g., a charter or magnet school, private school, or a public school in a different district).
TN operates under both clusters & school choice
8) What is the Metro Council?
The metro council is a governing body responsible for local government in a metropolitan area. It oversees public services, budgets, and policies.
Functions of the Metro Council:
Approve and adopt the annual budget for the city.
Establish and regulate departments and offices of the city.
Enact ordinances, resolutions, and regulations necessary for the government of the city.
Find your council member:
10) What is MNPS Admin?
MNPS Administration is in charge of overseeing all public schools in the metro Nashville area. The current superintendent is Dr. Adrienne Battle.
Functions of MNPS Admin:
Setting goals, policies, and curriculum for student success.
Efficiently managing budgets, resources, and facilities.
Building partnerships for student support and community involvement.
12) How do these entites work together?
School districts are governed by a school board, while the metro council oversees the entire municipality. These entities work together to allocate resources and make decisions that affect the school system.
14) How to express issues to board members in meaningful ways?
Location: 2601 Bransford Avenue Nashville TN 37204
Time: Second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5PM
Always have written evidence of claims and that you contacted them
Name specific people, dates, & times
Be brief and concise
Language Barrier?
Request interpretation 24 hours ahead of time when you schedule to speak
Speak at a school board meeting: https://form.jotform.com/223485920774060