Legislation to enable the creation of new special school districts in Shelby County was passed by the state Senate this spring but ran into trouble this week in the House State and Local Government Committee when objections were raised by a lobbyist for Memphis City Schools.
The legislation would allow Memphis and Shelby County Schools to establish permanent, fixed boundaries and raise funds beyond those appropriated by Shelby County, subject to legislative approval.
Primary sponsor Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, says there is still hope that Senate Bill 2062 could be revived when the General Assembly reconvenes next January.
Norris, who has advocated this approach to public schools governance in Shelby County for the past 10 years, took questions about the legislation in an e-mail exchange with The Commercial Appeal. Here are excerpts from that conversation. |
Associated Press
Despite this week's setback, state Sen. Mark Norris of Collierville (seated in foreground) says he is optimistic that legislation he is sponsoring to permit special school districts in Memphis and Shelby County will be approved during the current two-year legislative session.
|
Q: Explain exactly how the districts would operate if these proposals are ever approved.
Special districts would operate the same way the systems do now, with the exception that defined boundaries would be established. This would eliminate the disruption and uncertainty caused by previous annexations. The districts would also have increased autonomy over a portion of future funding. This would provide greater accountability and more efficient funding.
Bear in mind, the Memphis City Schools district is already a special school district, but it was created under a private act. Therefore, it does not have all of the attributes of a contemporary special district that this legislation could provide.
Q: What motivated you to suggest separating the districts in this way?
This is not a separation of the districts. It is a redefinition of the legal status of the districts that will give them the same status as 14 other special districts in Tennessee. I am motivated to provide the best education at the most appropriate cost through smaller schools held accountable to the families they serve. I also consider this an effective way to assist the county in reduction of its debt.
Q: How has Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's consolidation campaign affected the situation?
It has drawn attention to the need to protect the school systems from consolidation, which has not been beneficial to education or taxpayers elsewhere in Tennessee. Neither system, nor the families in either system, favor consolidation of schools, which would result in creating one of the largest systems in the United States. The manner in which the most recent consolidation campaign has been handled has been destabilizing to the community.
Q: How would these changes benefit students in the two school systems?
Students would benefit from the stability, flexibility and autonomy special districts provide. They could lead to smaller school systems that would lend themselves to more individualized attention. Special projects could be funded dollar for dollar without application of the average daily attendance multiplier that often makes additional funding by the county cost-prohibitive.
Q: Address concerns that the withdrawal of countywide support would make it difficult to raise enough revenue to support an adequate educational system for children in the inner city.
This is a common misconception. Shelby County would continue to provide no less than the same financial support it now provides to each system. State law requires maintenance of funding by the county and the City of Memphis. Additional funding, if Shelby County is unable to provide it, could be raised by the board of each special district with legislative approval. Unlike current county funding, such funding would not be subject to the ADA formula and would be derived from within the special district itself rather than county-wide. That means more funding for each district without increasing the burden on taxpayers beyond what is actually needed for education in the respective district.
Q: Do you agree with the information on the bill's fiscal note, including the prediction that it would lower the bond ratings for new special school districts?
No. The fiscal note is incorrect. It erroneously assumes withdrawal of county funding once special districts are created. In addition, each district derives financial strength from different sources. The county's strength is in its property tax base; the city's strength is its sales tax base, which exceeds that of the county. If this enabling legislation is adopted, it will facilitate the conclusion of negotiations the specific provisions of which will be codified in a private act establishing special districts next year.
Q: Where have you found support for this proposal in Memphis?
Support for special districts is widespread. Although negotiations concerning the specific details governing special districts have yet to be concluded, the concept of enabling legislation embodied in this first step has been embraced by many of the decision makers. Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton has expressed his support for it as part of a comprehensive education plan. The Memphis City Schools board and the Shelby County Schools board, together with the boards of the other large, urban school systems in Tennessee, expressed support during their meeting in January. The Shelby County Education Association and Tennessee School Boards Association support it. The Memphis City Schools system, which is already a special district without taxing authority, would benefit just as much as the Shelby County Schools under this legislation. Memphis City Schools Supt. Carol Johnson is familiar with special districts, which function well in Minnesota where she previously worked. Most important, perhaps, the majority of Shelby County citizens support it because they understand the importance of resolving the negotiations and providing a sense of stability while preserving smaller schools.
Q: What are your chances of success?
Much depends upon the ability of both systems to successfully complete negotiations under way, but I am optimistic that we will be successful during this 104th General Assembly. The legislation recently passed the full Senate by a vote of 31-0. The House will consider it when we reconvene for the second half of the session in January.
Assuming that questions can be answered to the satisfaction of local decision makers, this legislation is positioned to succeed. But it will take trust and good-faith efforts by all concerned.
In the final analysis, educators, administrators and elected officials should acknowledge that special districts are a concept that has worked well for many years in Tennessee. It was not until the mid-1980s that the law was amended to prohibit the creation of new special districts. My legislation simply restores that ability and allows the school systems to negotiate their futures with a sense of confidence that governance and funding will be stabilized in such a way as to safeguard the best interests of the children to be served.
|
