Bill could require SCS to cede schools
Germantown would absorb 3 schools
Legislation introduced by Tennessee state Rep. Mark White, R-germantown, could result in Shelby County Schools-operated schools in Germantown being ceded to the Germantown Municipal School District and other municipal districts.
The City of Germantown released a statement of support for the legislation, HB0917 and SB0898, on Thursday afternoon.
The legislation, the city said, would prevent any district, known as a local education agency, from operating schools in the jurisdiction of another district.
In Germantown's case, this would mean it would absorb Germantown Elementary, Middle and High schools from Shelby County Schools. The three schools, though part of the county school system, are located in Germantown.
The legislation also could impact other SCS schools in surrounding municipalities. A Commercial Appeal review of the district's schools found that Lucy Elementary is located in Millington and would be impacted by the legislation.
Two additional SCS schools, Bolton High School and Barret's Chapel, have
Arlington addresses but are located in unincorporated areas of Shelby County.
Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo said the legislation would create a state law that is supported by a recent opinion from Tennessee's attorney general, apparently referring to a setof opinions issued in September 2017. The opinions state that one school district should not open and operate schools within the boundaries of another school district and also address charter schools in particular.
Said Jason Manuel, superintendent of Germantown Municipal School District: “The Germantown Municipal School District has always been open to working with Shelby County Schools, the City of Germantown, and our legislators in acquiring the three legacy Germantown schools.”
In SCS' point of view, the matter was settled when the municipal districts were created after the merger.
“The ownership and operation of the ‘3Gs' is a settled issue,” the district said in a statement Thursday evening. “The proposed legislation seeks to resurrect all matters stemming from federal court litigation involving the demerger.”
The Commercial Appeal reached out to Millington Municipal School District for comment but has not received a response.
District ownership of the Germantown schools, known as the “3Gs” by many who have followed the years-long efforts, has been a matter of contention since the Germantown district was formed in 2014 and SCS retained control.
The Germantown district was particularly interested thereafter in recouping Germantown Elementary and Middle schools.
Germantown and SCS have gone back and forth on the matter over the years.
In 2017, a proposed $25 million sale of the three schools to the Germantown district was never realized, with the district looking to a new school construction in order to expand.
Palazzolo and Manuel stressed the city's need for space to expand and accommodate students as the city prepares to add 750 to 1,000 new residential spaces.
“There's always been the desire to have those properties part of the City of Germantown and Germantown Municipal School District, so the time's always been front and center for us,” Palazzolo said, adding he was “eager” to see the legislation through to law.
Thursday was too early to identify a timeline and too “forward thinking” to consider any associated price tags, he said.
The Germantown district's portfolio of six schools would grow to nine with the addition of the three namesake schools, which Germantown says will assist with growth in its southwest boundary.
SCS operates a much larger portfolio of nearly 150 traditional schools and more than 50 other charter schools.
SCS has proposed recent multi-million dollar facilities improvements to Germantown Elementary School, which would replace 10 portable classrooms currently in use with a 10-classroom addition to the school building. The SCS board is poised to approve additional funding for design on the project, totaling $350,000, at its April 6 business meeting.
In a press release, Germantown cited a “pause” on the renovations as a benefit to SCS.
Kevin Woods is the SCS board member for District 4, which encompasses the three schools. He said he plans to meet with White and Palazzolo about the bill and in part discuss the facilities plan “to make sure that the facilities that are owned and operated by Shelby County Schools can be facilities that the residents of Germantown are proud of as well as those who attend those facilities.”
Woods said he is hopeful Germantown will approve the proposed upgrade to the elementary school. Instead of pursuing the sale of the “reward schools,” Woods said, the district has been focused on a safe learning environment during the pandemic.
“As long as families living in (SCS) District 4 want to attend these schools, my job is to make sure that I support their efforts, and make sure these schools remain great schools that are run and operated by Shelby County Schools,” Woods told The Commercial Appeal.
“This is where our families are choosing to send their kids.”
Dima Amro is a suburbs reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach her at dima.amro@commercialappeal.com.laura Testino covers education and children’s issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-5123763. Find her on Twitter: @Ldtestino