The Memphis City Council’s education committee was expected to talk about
alternative schools, discipline and graduation rates, and the Memphis
City Schools budget today with representatives of the school system.
Unfortunately, the discussion was tabled when it turned out that school
board member Kenneth Whalum Jr. was the only representative of the
district at the meeting.
“I came to the meeting with the understanding that there would be
staffers from MCS with me to answer the specific questions that you
have,” said Whalum. “I contacted the superintendent’s office … and he
told me to tell the council that if they have specific questions they
need to put them in writing.”
Whalum also told committee members that the superintendent said it was
the president of the board of education who told staffers not to come.
Council members were not happy with the no-shows.
“This is a perfect example where these individuals clearly don’t want
anyone questioning them about what’s going on in the school system,”
said council member Wanda Halbert, a former school board commissioner.
Committee chair Janis Fullilove said she would not put questions in
writing for the district. “Give him that response, please,” she said.
The school system’s annual budget is more than $1 billion. Last year,
the city allocated more than $91 million for education and council
members have toyed with the idea of cutting that funding.
“Somebody thinks this council will buckle under public pressure,” Whalum
said. “If you’re serious about what you’re saying, pull back the money,
period, and let the school board sink or swim.”
–Mary Cashiola