tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417847976778607501.post5928390923115500748..comments2023-08-06T06:24:02.547-05:00Comments on In The Bluff (the blog): What's the Plan?marycashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723540914036793887noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417847976778607501.post-31250622515900974622008-08-28T21:39:00.000-05:002008-08-28T21:39:00.000-05:00First of all, that is me who did the "test" commen...First of all, that is me who did the "test" comment, as I my previous post didn't take for some reason, so I did a test. Which worked, so now I know my previous post was user faiure - so I get to redo my response. Mary - thanks so much for posting my letter to the City Council. You provide great info' on your blog and I read it regularly.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the City should get out of the "school business," - unfortunately, since it has been in the "school business" for the last 70 years by providing funding to the MCS, this can not happen without a plan and consensus among MCS, Shelby County and the State of TN. Take a look at the AG's Opinion from 2005 on this topic and clearly, the state is saying a plan for this is needed. <BR/><BR/>Also, whether or not the City is legally obligated to fund MCS is unclear. yes, the City's charter does not speak of that obligation, however, the city's past actions of funding MCS for the last 70 years can equate to a legal obligation. Here again, look at that State AG's Opinion from 2005.<BR/><BR/>I went to a school board meeting one night and was handed a large bounded document - the MCS budget. So it's available and if the City Council can't figure out a way to get a copy, well than we really have problems. Plus, Councilwoman Halbert sat on the MCS Board for what - 7 years. One would think that during that time she had acquired significant knowledge regarding the school budget. And here's this - at the City Council meeting, Councilwoman Halbert and I believe Councilman Flinn identified areas that could be cut, such as insurance costs.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the exchange - it's good to know that people care. John Adams, one of the true founders of our country had this to say about public education - "Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are so extremely wise and useful that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant." Bottom line is this - this City, with it's high poverty rate needs to value PUBLIC education. The Council needs to stop playing games, develop a plan and work it. M.BurkheadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417847976778607501.post-88322511120411228042008-08-28T20:39:00.000-05:002008-08-28T20:39:00.000-05:00testtestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417847976778607501.post-28587733282842457392008-08-28T14:52:00.000-05:002008-08-28T14:52:00.000-05:00Here's another point. I don't think the City Counc...Here's another point. I don't think the City Council would have anymore chance of getting data from the Memphis City School System than Ms Burkhead. Outside of MCS, no one knows how they spend almost a billion dollars a year. I'm not sure MCS knows how they spend money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417847976778607501.post-75319308926137561312008-08-28T11:09:00.000-05:002008-08-28T11:09:00.000-05:00When the council discussed the resolution allowing...When the council discussed the resolution allowing the district to use its reserve funds, one of the stipulations Collins wanted to include was a mandate to fund teacher raises. <BR/><BR/>But the council really can't stipulate what the district spends their money on. And I think that's a crux of the issue, that they are neither in the business of education nor out of it. <BR/><BR/>The city isn't legally bound to fund city schools; they don't have any authority over "their" money if they give it to the school system; it's just like any other gift. <BR/><BR/>Even though the money (ultimately? hopefully?) benefits Memphis citizens, part of me is surprised it lasted this long.marycashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723540914036793887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417847976778607501.post-30069672134768136702008-08-28T09:59:00.000-05:002008-08-28T09:59:00.000-05:00I agree with the city council. Name me one other ...I agree with the city council. Name me one other municipality in Shelby County that funds schools...wait, you can't. They don't do it. And no other major cities in the whole freaking state do it either. Bottom line, this is a first step in making Shelby County and the state of Tennessee financially responsible for Memphis schools, since they are the ones who are constitutionally liable and responsible, not the city of Memphis. The city of memphis should get out of the school business entirely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com