MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Thursday evening, the Rutherford County School Board spent hours looking for ways to cut down their budget. 

Among those cuts were an estimated 44 bus routes in addition to a discussion on no longer providing Pre-K, and a suggested nickel tax for the county.  

"We are in a hole — a deep hole,” school board Chair Claire Maxwell said. "We have tried to hold the line. We knew this was coming and we haven't been able to do that."

At their Thursday meeting, board members decided to move forward with a proposed 17% pay increase for bus drivers. It's a middle ground after drivers with the Rutherford County Bus Contractors Organization asked for a 35% raise.  

The RCBCO responded Friday, pledging to stop driving students starting May 1 if the school board wasn’t willing to continue negotiations. RCBCO represents roughly 70% of the school bus drivers for Rutherford County Schools.  

When it comes to cutting costs, the board also approved new parental responsibility zones. This eliminates bus services for elementary students living within a mile of their school, in addition to middle and high schoolers who live within a mile and a half.  

“When my son was at Stewart's Creek and I worked downtown, I had to be downtown by 8 o'clock even if I was the first mother or car rider in the line, it was still very difficult for me to get downtown by 8 o'clock. It's impossible,” School Board Member Tammy Sharp said.  

Although no cuts came across as popular, another suggestion looked at eliminating Pre-K to save the district an estimated $500,000.  

“I know it's helpful to parents. I know it's helpful to teachers and students, but my job is for us to do what's best for the kids that we're required to educate, which is K-12,” Zone 4 School Board member Katie Darby said.

“I'll be honest with you, that's probably the best thing we do in Rutherford County. Every kid should have Pre-K,” Zone 6 School Board Member Butch Vaughn responded.  

Steve Vaught suggested a nickel tax increase for the county.  

“You're going to need to lobby your county commissioners for a tax increase of a nickel and that's what I started out asking for two months ago,” Vaught said.  

The school board is set to present its budget to the Rutherford County Commission on May 15. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/rcs-budget-proposed-cuts/