Hard facts needed on schools costs
Voters in Shelby County’s six suburban municipalities on Tuesday will put their stamp on the third most important vote since 2011 to determine the direction of public education in Memphis and Shelby County.
Stymied by a federal court ruling last year, Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington are making a second try at establishing their own school districts. Given the overwhelming support voters gave similar referendums last year, it appears likely Tuesday’s referendums will be approved, allowing the cities to have their districts up and running for the 2014-2015 school year.
All of this is the result of the merger of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools on July 1. Because of the federal court ruling, the legacy county schools in the suburban cities will be part of the unified district for the 2013-2014 school year.
We have repeatedly used this space to urge suburban leaders to give the merger a try for a couple of years. But since Memphis residents approved the MCS board’s decision to surrender its charter to Shelby County Schools in 2011, suburban leaders have been determined not to be part of the countywide school district.
Now that they are on the path of getting their wish, we can only hope the costs of operating a school district do not come back to bite suburban taxpayers and that students in the districts are not negatively impacted by a possible lack of financial resources.
Last year, residents in the six suburban municipalities voted to establish school districts. A federal judge, however ruled the state legislation allowing formation of the districts violated the state Constitution because it applied only to Shelby County. Legislators lifted the statewide moratorium on new municipal districts earlier this year, setting the stage for Tuesday’s referendums.
Residents in the six cities also approved half-cent sales tax hikes, which consultants said will cover the costs, along with the cities’ share of state and county school funds, of operating the schools. That may work for Bartlett, Collierville and Germantown, which have an abundance of retail establishments. It could be a problem for Arlington, Lakeland and Millington, which have a dearth of retail.
Elected leaders in the municipalities have displayed confidence that they can form quality school systems, without putting a greater tax burden on residents. But can they continue over the long term? Superintendents, administrative staff, teachers and support staff have to be hired, and the salaries will have to be competitive because the six cities will be vying for the best people. There will be liability and health insurance costs, along with pension plans that may require some funding. The accouterments that make a school a school will have to be purchased.
After Tuesday’s vote, suburban residents should put aside their euphoria over forming their own school districts and begin seriously questioning whether there will be enough money to pay for all of this after two or three years.