MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Add Shelby County Schools to the latest list of school systems in Tennessee taking a stand against the state and fighting for money.
“We know the issues our schools are facing. We know the issues our children are facing. I think if it’s all about doing what is in the best interest of our children, this is in the best interest of our children,” said Shelby County School Board Member Stephanie Love.
When the State of Tennessee implemented its new Basic Education Plan several years ago, it set a new school funding formula and new standards schools had to meet.
Shelby County said the state hasn’t kept its end of the deal by providing the money to support education.
For the local district it amounted to about $103 million a year.
“We could actually have the teachers in school that we need. We could actually have resources we need. We could actually pay for counselors and different people we need in schools,” said Love.
The Shelby County Commission, which is set to vote on its school funding next week, is watching what the school system does.
Commissioner Heidi Shafer said she understood the School Board’s predicament, but had some reservations about suing the state.
“I just think anytime you are suing another member of government, another governmental body, it creates a bad atmosphere and much of what we need to get done requires the state to intervene on our behalf,” said Shafer.
“It’s not about friendships. It is not about relationships. I am in the business for the best education our children can have,” said Love.
Right now it looks like that means going to court.
The Shelby County School System told WREG they were hiring a law firm to help in the fight against the state.
Some school systems also filed suit and others like Nashville are watching what happens in Shelby County, the state’s largest school district.
