Maury County Moves to Boost Teacher Pay in Unanimous Budget Vote

Issue #457

June 04, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Weather - Mostly sunny w/ high of 88 & low of 69

📰 Maury County Moves to Boost Teacher Pay in Unanimous Budget Vote

📰 Man Shot by Police After Refusing to Drop Gun in Columbia Incident

🎉 Bridge On Tom J. Hitch Parkway Opened Tuesday!

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Maury County Moves to Boost Teacher Pay in Unanimous Budget Vote

Maury County’s Budget Committee reached a major breakthrough last Thursday when Commissioner Scott Sumners presented a new budget proposal that addressed long-standing concerns about teacher pay—and earned the support of both fellow commissioners and the public.

The revised plan followed a heated May 12 meeting, where school district representatives urged the committee to raise the starting salary for teachers to $50,000, in line with surrounding counties. To meet that request, Sumners proposed reallocating a 17.7-cent surplus from the county’s debt-service fund. Under his plan, 10.3 cents would go to the school system’s general fund, providing an across-the-board raise of $3,800 for educators. The remaining cents were designated for other needs: two cents for the highway department, three cents for capital projects, and 2.4 cents reserved for borrowing on future infrastructure.

Some of the capital needs on the table include expanding the county animal shelter, renovating the historic courthouse on Columbia Square, and building a new library in Mt. Pleasant. However, the committee agreed to delay those expenditures until contractors can provide guaranteed maximum prices for each project.

The proposal came at a time when high property valuations are projected to generate approximately $6 million more in revenue for the county, according to county finance officials. Still, that additional revenue won’t be sustained into future years, prompting urgency in making strategic investments now.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the budget, which drew a crowd of more than 90 teachers and supporters—some filling the room and others gathered outside listening to a livestream. While some commissioners clarified they never opposed raising teacher salaries, a few had previously suggested waiting until the 2026–27 fiscal year, when the $50,000 minimum becomes a state requirement.

The newly approved plan not only accelerates that timeline but also addresses inflation and stagnant school funding, which hasn’t seen significant increases since 2018–19. After the vote, some teachers shared personal stories of professional sacrifices and emphasized the need for more consistent support going forward.

Commissioner Gabe Howard raised concerns about funding capital projects through debt, advocating instead for direct spending where possible. As a result, the committee amended the proposal to allocate an additional $1.4 million from the general fund directly to the county library.

The Budget Committee will meet again on June 9 to finalize the 2025–26 budget. That version will be presented to the full commission for approval before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Man Shot by Police After Refusing to Drop Gun in Columbia Incident

On June 3rd just after 1:00am, Columbia Police responded to the 1700 block of Nashville Highway for a call of a suspicious male walking in the roadway attempting to approach passing vehicles. 

Upon arrival, officers encountered a white male in the roadway armed with a handgun. Over the duration of approximately ten minutes, officers made continuous efforts to have the male stop and drop his firearm. The male refused those commands, continuing to walk southbound on Nashville Highway in and out of the traffic lane and median. As the individual approached the more populated 1500 Block of Nashville Highway, still armed with a handgun, he was shot by a Columbia Police Officer stopping the advancement and threat. 

The individual was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center where he was taken into surgery for his injuries. At this time the condition and identity of the individual is unknown. 

Following Columbia Police Department policy and protocol, 22nd Judicial District Attorney Brent Cooper was contacted and requested the TBI respond to investigate this incident. TBI is the lead agency in this investigation and further inquiries should be made through their agency.

No officers were injured in this incident. As is routine with any officer involved shooting, the involved officer will be placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Bridge On Tom J. Hitch Parkway Opened Tuesday!

Credit: Duck River Aerial Photography

From Mayor Chaz Molder’s post…

Congratulations to the County on completion of this very important infrastructure project – the repair of the Sen. Edward C. Blank Bridge crossing over the Duck River along the Tom J. Hitch Parkway. A welcome site and convenience and (now) travel for all. —CM

From Maury County Office of Emergency Management’s post…  

It's the day we have all been waiting for! The bridge that connects Bear Creek Pike and Tom J. Hitch has officially opened to the public!! We gave it a test drive and we have to say, those transitions are smooth as butter! 

Thank you for your patience and support as this project was completed. We would be remiss if we didn't thank all of the agencies that were involved in overseeing and completing this project as well. 

Drive Safe, Maury County! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, June 4th

Thursday, June 5th

Friday, June 6th

Saturday, June 7th

Sunday, June 8th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

June 21: Experience Spring Hill, The Event

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Wednesday, June 4th

Brooklyn Ray, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Thursday, June 5th

Rhonda Funk, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00-9:00 PM
The Grove Trio, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:00 PM
Alderson Jazz Collective, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 PM

Friday, June 6th

Yonder Grove, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Austin Brothers, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
MFT, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Joey Sykes, The Spot Burgers & Beers, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Mellie Koska, Grazie Italian Eatery, 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Saturday, June 7th

Ben Daniel, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Jake Clayton, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 6 PM
The Howlin Embers, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Down South Band, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Kamber, Grazie Italian Eatery, 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Sunday, June 8th

Willie Van Hook & Cliff Waddell, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00-5:00 PM
Andrew Pearson, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00-7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00-7:30 PM

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