WSMV-TV - Nashville -

July 13, 2010 -

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Federal educational money known as Race To The Top will soon start trickling into local schools. On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Bredesen met with leaders about how the money will be spent and called the program a wholesale reform effort.
Related: 'Race To The Top' Money County Estimates over the next four years, Tennessee will receive $500 million in federal funding.

Many of the 136 school districts, and the four special schools across the state, plan to use their allotment of money for teacher training.
Metro schools will receive $30 million, with $8.5 million spent this upcoming year.

As Bredesen addressed the "First To The Top" advisory council on Tuesday, he called them a “sounding board” for diverse ideas and opinions.

“I think this board will be a very good conduit to go back and tell the internal people, the bureaucrats, 'Look here's what's not working. Here's what the problems are,'” said Bredesen.
The board was created by Bredesen and is a diverse mix of school, city and business leaders from around the state.

Among those on the board is Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.

“You'll see innovation, us moving forward in the area of reform. It’s going to take some time, but this is a big deal,” said Dean.

“In a way, I wish I would be around another eight years. This is a very exciting time to be governor,” said Bredesen.

But since Bredesen will be leaving office soon, he created the board as a way to make sure Race To The Top doesn't lose its focus.

The governor also said that parents won't notice any immediate changes in classrooms this fall, but they will notice that in those schools across the state that are struggling, this program will hold those schools accountable.
Rutherford County will be spending $3.6 million over the next four years.

Sumner County schools will receive $3 million, and Williamson County schools will receive $330,000.