School year sets out a huge opportunity
When it comes to public education, it’s time to focus on what is in the best interest of the children of Shelby County and our entire community.
An excellent public education system for all of the children in Shelby County should be our number one priority. Imagine what it would mean for us all if we are able to get this right. This issue has been charged with too much emotion and not enough reason and fiscal responsibility. Our county government, Memphis city government and even the governments of the other municipalities in Shelby County must face the reality of our communities’ fiscal limitations if we are all to share in our future prosperity.
We only have to look at Detroit and Chicago to see what the future could hold if we do not use our resources efficiently and prudently. How do you think the inner city and suburbs are faring there? What do you think has happened to property values, tax revenues and the quality of life both inside and outside of those cities?
I have served as a commissioner on the Shelby County Schools board for two years and have experienced many proud moments as I watched the board and staff work together in the best interest of our students while making some very tough budget-cutting decisions. I have also endured moments of frustration and consternation when I have seen politicians and others in this community work for their own personal or political interests and not for the greater good.
As the new school year begins, I believe we are at a crossroads. The path I hope we take is toward capitalizing on the huge opportunity that lies before us all to create something truly special in the 21st century by leading the way to improve public education in our country. The whole world is watching, hoping and praying that we are successful. The choice is ours as one community, regardless of how the structure of the public school system or systems evolves.
My earnest desire is that we look through eyes that are not clouded by suspicion and doubt, but filled with optimism and good will for all of the citizens of Shelby County without consideration of the arbitrary boundaries that so often define the public discussion. Here are some questions we should all ask ourselves:
Can our entire community rise to its full potential if some areas falter and decline?
What is the best way to satisfy the desires of all of the residents of the whole county?
How best should we allocate the finite resources that are available to provide a quality public education?
What is the real longterm financial impact of all the reasonable solutions on our community’s future?
How can we achieve a victory for all students?
What would our collective quality of life look like if we have a public education system that competes with the best in America and around the world?
The answers to these questions should define how we proceed in the next few years. That process and the ensuing results will have long-lasting effects on our community for generations to come. We owe it to our children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren to make wise decisions based on sound educational and financial practices. We will also have to defend these decisions and live with the consequences. How many of us make our best decisions based on emotion instead of fact and sound reasoning?
I want the best for all children wherever this process leads us. I want to look back in the future and tell my grandchildren how proud I am of the way our community worked together, and that the result was a wonderful place to live that draws talent from across the world — but even more important, from across Shelby County. Most of all, I don’t want to have to tell them that we did not give our very best effort on such an important endeavor and that is why we are on a long, sad list of communities that suffered as the result of failing to work together in the best interest of everyone.
I look forward to working with anyone who is advocating for our children. I know we can accomplish something great if we all pull together and focus on the students, families, teachers and staff. I also know that we cannot afford to fail in this monumental task. Let’s hope that we can all believe in the age-old adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”