Funding for Instructional Supplies
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, each school’s student-based budgeting (SBB) contains $25/student for instructional materials. The purpose is for school funds to be allocated to purchase instructional materials rather than teachers supplementing the school’s budget by purchasing materials with their own personal funds. If you need instructional materials, make a request with your principal before you use personal money to purchase.
Per TN Code Annotated 49-3-359, every teacher in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) will receive $200. This money must be used by teachers for instructional supplies and must be given to each teacher by October 31 of each school year so that the teacher may spend it at any time during that school year on instructional supplies as determined necessary by the teacher. The purpose of these funds is to permit purchase of items of equipment for the benefit and enhancement of the instructional program. The funds cannot be used for basic building needs such as HVAC, carpets, furniture, items or equipment for the teachers' lounge, or the like.
Per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the district agrees to reimburse each regular and special education classroom teacher, librarian, school counselor, social worker, psychologist, speech language pathologist and itinerant classroom teacher for purchase of instructional materials and supplies based on state guidelines and auditing procedures:
Instructional supplies and materials must be purchased on/after July 1 and received on/before April 1 of the current school year.
Receipts must only include instructional items purchased for school use. Receipts that include any personal items will not be allowed.
All receipts must be submitted to the school/department bookkeeper by April 1.
All receipts must be itemized and clearly show instructional materials were purchased. If the supply is not clearly instructional, the lesson plan and BEP justification form must be attached to the receipt. Justification forms may be obtained from the bookkeeper.
Items must be shipped directly to the school unless buildings are closed due to COVID-19. While teachers were teaching virtually and buildings were closed, it was permitted for items to be shipped to homes. If an item was shipped to a home, the item will need to be taken to the school when the teacher returns to in-person teaching.
The difference between the total eligible receipts submitted by teachers and the $200 BEP funds received, if any, will be reclaimed on/before an employee’s last check of the current school year.