In Memphis, old strife heats up over schools, race

[Rage for Order]

A bold bid by the struggling, majority-black Memphis City Schools system to force a merger with the majority-white, successful suburban district has fanned relatively routine fears over funding and student performance into accusations of full-blown racism. The fight over the fate of 150,000 public school students has stirred long-festering emotions in Memphis and surrounding Shelby County, creating a drama that has spread beyond school board meetings to union rallies, the state Legislature and federal court.

On March 8, Memphis voters will decide whether to approve disbanding the city schools system and turning education over to the county district, which is earning good grades on its own and doing everything it can to stave off consolidation. The Memphis City Schools board voted last December to surrender its charter and turn over control to Shelby County's system, which includes public schools outside the city limits.

The spark for the schools consolidation fight began smoldering on Election Day last November, when Republicans took control of the state Legislature and saw Republican Bill Haslam win the governor's race. Shelby County's Republican politicians finally saw their chance to forever block a merger by securing special school district status. The special status would draw a boundary around the Shelby County school district, protecting its autonomy and tax base — and, according to Jones, taking $100 million a year from the already underfunded Memphis schools system.

"We're already a divided community in terms of racial polarization," said Tom Word, who is white and a parent of three children in Memphis public schools. "That would further exacerbate that division." Memphis school board member Martavius Jones launched the charter surrender effort to get out in front of any effort by Shelby County to fence off its schools from the city.

The 2010-2011 budget for Memphis City Schools is about $890 million to cover 103,000 students, 85 percent of whom are black. For the 47,000-student Shelby County system, which is 38 percent black, it's more than $363 million.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41703179

More at the link

[AC_Mem]

1. My grandchildren

Are in a Memphis City school. Last year they were in Shelby County school. There was an annexation that finally took effect last year that affected some students (my grandkids included). We were nervous at first because the MCS had a bad reputation. Turns out they are in the best school they have ever been in.

This is about political war. I'm voting for consolidation and educating everyone I know to get out and vote for it too. This one is backfiring on the GOP. When they tried to hand MCS a crap sandwich, they got it handed back and now they are freaking out.

This ought to get interesting.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Somewhat surprised that the Memphis teachers and staff have not weighed in against it

- They lose all their longevity status. Most districts I know only give 5 years credit no matter how long the person has been teaching.

- Unless there is a state wide teachers retirement system, current and future retirees may be screwed as well. The new district would have no requirement to pickup those already in the system since it is not a merger but a disestablishment

- Not clear if the existing buildings would go to the county district. Would be a fine point in Tennessee law. Anyone from there have any insight?

The driver for all of this is that it a disestablishment and not a merger. Sort of like a business going bankrupt and selling off its plants. The new owners do not inherit the current contracts. The union(s) could roll in on seniority etc, but the County local should be looking out for its own vs the Memphis teachers under these circumstances.

[dsc]

3. I would be amazed if the pension wasn't statewide

but you are right on the seniority issue.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Hard to know unless you are a participant...

Any reading this have any insight to share?