The Nashville City Paper reports today on Council’s approval of a $165,000 appropriation that saves programs that include Nashville Adult Literacy Council and English as Second Language (ESL).  These programs were previously in jeopardy due to an unexpected budget shortfall:

Earlier this year it was discovered Community Education had an anticipated budget shortfall of about $190,000. Much of the shortfall came because a lack of revenues from the public swimming pool program, which was lumped in with Community Education last year.

The Community Education program had accumulated about $400,000 in reserves before the public swimming pool program was added.

Council will vote on the resolution – which will pull the money from the program’s undesignated fund balance – at its meeting tonight, although no opposition is expected.

From today’s Nashville City Paper:

Outraged Council vows to save Community Education program
Nate Rau and Amy Griffith Graydon

An emotional special Metro Council meeting Thursday finished with the promise that members would take necessary action to salvage the Community Education program, which was jeopardized because of a budget shortfall in the school district’s aquatics program.

The Council budget and finance and education committees jointly met to discuss a course of action to rescue the program, which has adult literacy classes and seniors activities under its umbrella.

Metro Finance Director Richard Riebeling said the Community Education program had a $400,000 reserve balance that could be tapped to save the jobs of seven workers who were told last week they would be laid off.

But the emergency reserve will only get the program through this fiscal year, while Council members agreed a long-term solution would need to be worked out.

Continue reading ‘Council Re-instates Funding for Adult Education Programs’

This week, the Nashville Scene’s Tracy Moore has a great article on the adult literacy issues facing Middle Tennessee, and how the Nashville Adult Literacy Council is making a difference. This article is worth the read, and especially timely because of the recent budget cuts that NALC is dealing with today. At the end of the article, there is a link to a post on the Nashville Scene’s Blog that gives an update on the story.

English Only: One in eight Nashvillians can’t read
By Tracy Moore

Seeds of Knowledge Tutor Julie Kramer and learner Ron RichardsonBefore launching his crusade to have all government business conducted in English, Councilman Eric Crafton might have considered the depth of his problem. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, one in eight Nashvillians couldn’t even read the referendum. Or fill out a job application. Or decipher TV Guide.

Here in the Athens of the South, we boast one of the highest illiteracy rates in the country. But while José had better be able to read, Johnny still can’t.

Take Ron Richardson, who dropped out of the eighth grade in the days before proficiency tests. He left with only a third-grade reading level.

Continue reading ‘Nashville Scene Sheds Light on Adult Literacy Problem’

The Nashville City Paper has a story today on Metro’s reduction in funding of community education programs. Vital programs like Nashville Adult Literacy Council, among others, could be in danger. NewsChannel 5 did a story last month on the importance of NALC. Click here to view the report and visit NALC’s Web site for volunteer information. 

Adult literacy cuts spur confusion, efforts to make amends
Nate Rau and Amy Griffith Graydon
Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 12:00 am

Metro leaders are scrambling to rescue the Community Education program, which because of forthcoming layoffs has left initiatives like adult literacy and senior citizens activities in serious jeopardy.

They’re also trying to sort out precisely what happened. Confusion around the layoffs has highlighted a funding and management structure for the program that some officials say was inherently doomed.

Metro Council has scheduled a special joint meeting of the budget and finance and education committees for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday to discuss the issue. And members of Nashville’s Board of Education are awaiting a report on the issue from new Director of Schools Jesse Register.

Continue reading ‘Cuts to Vital Community Education Programs Results in Confusion’

The Tennessean has a story today on how the nonprofit community is preparing for a possible drop in donations. CNM’s Lewis Lavine, Meg Nugent of Nashville Adult Literacy Council, and Hal Cato of Oasis Center, among others, are cited:

Charities expect drop in donations next year

By Bob Smietana
THE TENNESSEAN

Lewis Lavine has some good news and some bad news for local charities.

The good news is that most of them will make it through the end of the year without much trouble. The bad news? Next year is going to be a bear.

“We believe 2009 will be a very difficult year,” said Lavine, director of the Center for Nonprofit Management in Nashville.

Despite the economic turmoil, local charities say they are holding their own right now. While demand for their services is up, donations have yet to drop dramatically. But some charities fear that donations may fall next year while the need for help grows.

Jaynee Day, of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, says requests for food boxes are up almost 10 percent over last year, and most of those requests have come from people who have not needed help until now.

“It’s a tough time for families, who are having to decide between putting food on the table or paying the light bills or the health insurance,” Day said.

Second Harvest, which distributes food in 46 counties, is in the middle of its biggest fundraising campaign of the year.

Now’s the time to prepare for the gathering storm of need, experts say.

Continue reading ‘Tennessean Examines Area Nonprofit Challenges’