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County ranks low in education spending

By DAWN HANKINS - dhankins@t-g.com
Posted 5/23/20

When “site selectors” for potential industries visit Shelbyville and Bedford County, they generally have at their fingertips community “score cards” which include many facets of community life, particularly how the local school system’s successes compare on a state level...

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County ranks low in education spending

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When “site selectors” for potential industries visit Shelbyville and Bedford County, they generally have at their fingertips community “score cards” which include many facets of community life, particularly how the local school system’s successes compare on a state level.

This aspect of the industrial recruitment process was mentioned in Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce’s plan-one presented during the recent Shelbyville City Council study session. Chamber board member and local Tennova Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Bill Rich stated how education rankings can even be a deal breaker in gaining new industry.

To further explain that point, Rich asked Council, “Are there technical training schools, employee credentialing, etc.?” (Rich’s recent presentation was delivered to City Council by former Chamber board member Harold Segroves in his absence.)

There is currently no City school system here, but 14 sites operated by Bedford County Board of Education. Students are currently involved in Career and Technical Education (CT&E) classes as well as other workforce-related programs.

Chamber Director Allen Pitner told Council recently that one of the main focal points his office has concentrated on, particularly in 2019, is workforce development. It is the wheel of security which guides industrial development for many potential manufacturers, he said.

The process moving toward successful recruitment can be a complicated one at best. Chamber officials have stated the Economic Development and Tourism (ED&T) board has invested time and research over the years to improve that process, locally.

***Anti-recruiter

Bottom line, the Chamber representatives believe it will not be economically feasible, or advantageous from a public relations standpoint with stakeholders, for the City to hire a solo industrial recruiter. The Chamber has requested a merger with the City-County joint committee and the ED&T board.

The City, since that study session, has 14 applications it’s reviewing for the new industrial recruiter and doesn’t seem to be flinching in its desire to hire that individual, without Chamber input. In fact, City Council took offense to some of the ED&T board’s comments in its recent presentation on how local business leaders will not support them without Chamber backing.

The Chamber stated that proof of its successes, based on professional research, lies greatly within its successes within the City Industrial Park. The Chamber stated how it has replied to over 100 requests for Information (RFI) about the site and community. The Chamber stated board members have also attended out-of-state “site selector” events for the purpose of meeting face-to-face with consultants from across the country.

Rich said much of industrial recruitment comes down to how a potential workforce is a key component within such recruitment, even retention and expansion. Where does the potential workforce come from: He said of course that’s partly developed through local education.

It was discussed that about half of Bedford County’s working age population is estimated to be currently employed in neighboring counties and cities. City officials stated during the recent study session how their constituents want more jobs in order that their children can beat those statistics and remain in this county and make a good living.

One of the biggest potential score card factors, Rich said, is how the local school system ranks in comparison to others in the area and state.

Pitner said in the Times-Gazette’s 2019 “Salute” magazine: “Because the strength of our local economy and our low unemployment rate [stated prior to COVID-19] our local industry partners have expressed the need to continue to implement initiatives to build a sustainable workforce.”

He continued to express his focus on workforce initiatives and the Chamber’s Partners in Education program during the recent Council study session. He said local businesses and companies are going the extra mile to support area students in their future employment goals.

***What industry wants

Rich told Council how such “site selection” is really a “site elimination process.” Rich said, during the site selection process dozens of sites are under consideration, that is, until they get eliminated for one reason or another. After all sites and communities are thoroughly vetted, one location is chosen, Rich said.

The Chamber representative said in his report that of course product (land availability and acquisition costs, existing building availability, etc. is very crucial. Still, the hospital CEO said it’s the ED&T board’s experience that “site selectors” want to know about the strength of local support into which they’re largely buying.

“For economic development projects,” Rich stated, “quality of life isn’t whether there are nice people, parks and shopping in a community. Quality of life is examined by whether the community is cohesive. Are there any conflicts? Or are community leaders working together?

***Homework

Rich stated these companies know far more about a community than residents realize-even before they reach a site; they know a lot about local education too. He advised how “site selectors” use scorecards, with weighted priorities to mathematically score the top sites and yes, eliminate the weak.

“Obviously, weaknesses in any area can hurt a community score,” Rich told Council.

The City and Bedford County Commission have entered into an inter local agreement this year, whereby both entities will share the skills of a new industrial recruiter. The Chamber has asked the City to think hard about the repercussions of doing this solo, that is, without Chamber collaboration, especially given the years’ experience it sometimes takes to work with potential industries and their “site selectors.”

Investment in education

As far as education, recent statistics show that if a “site selector” visited say Shelbyville’s Industrial Park or another area in the county, when it came to scoring “education,” there might just be some unfavorable points when it comes to how much local funding is spent on each pupil.

John Boutwell, who has a doctorate in business research and is a retired industrial human resources manager, has spent a lot of time over the years researching school statistics, which just might be “scored” by some of those “site selectors” at some point.

Boutwell serves as the elected school board representative of the 8th District (area around northwest Shelbyville). Since no one threw their hat into the ring to run against him in the upcoming August election (deadline to petition has passed), he’s decided after many years to continue to fill his seat in the Central Office board room.

Through his interest in statistics regarding Bedford County schools, what he’s discovered, he explained, is that local schools receive 17.8 percent of their funding from the local funding body (Bedford County Commission) compared to the state average of local funding at 39.4 percent. This data, he said, is based on the latest available numbers — 2017-2018.

As a result, the local school system ranks at the bottom out of the state’s 95 counties in per pupil spending. For example, neighboring Marshall County spent over $9,000 per pupil while Bedford County spent just over $8,000 for that time period. The state average is $10,304 per pupil.

When ranked in the 2018 Annual Statistical Report by the Tennessee Department of Education, Bedford County was listed as 141st against the 142 individual school districts in the state when it came to per pupil spending.

Digger.com - an online tool which ranks school districts in Tennessee - ranks Bedford County School System 124th out of the state’s 142 school districts.