School Funding Formula Lawsuit continues for Coffee and 6 other Counties

A judge has declined an effort by the state to throw out a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s school funding formula.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman told attorneys in Nashville that the case will proceed, but she also declined class-action status to the case that would have allowed it to include all 141 school systems in the state.
School districts in seven counties, including Coffee and Grundy Counties, are suing the state on claims they are not receiving enough money through the state funding formula to educate their students. If they win their case, the solution could cost the state more than $500 million a year.
Other school districts involved in the lawsuit are in Bradley, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn and Polk counties.