The first full regular business meeting of the unified 23-member Shelby County Board of Education was a doozy, lasting nearly 5 hours. The biggest issues decided involved charter schools (only two applications were approved, both from KIPP Academy) and vouchers.
As might be expected in a first meeting that included seven rookies and members who had operated apart for many years, there were snags. Approval of minutes from previous meetings, which usually is cursory, dragged on for nearly and hour. Several times throughout the meeting one member or another would voice objection to taking action on something, claiming they did not have enough information.
Jane Roberts filed this report for print and online, and followed up with a dispatch for the web on the resolution offered by MCS representative Sara Lewis opposing state Sen. Brian Kelsey's so-called vouchers bill -- providing public funds for students to use at a private school of their choosing. Diane George of Collierville asked that the board wait to meet with Kelsey before joining other major school systems in the state in formally renouncing and fighting against the bill. MCS board member Tomeka Hart was on the prevailing side, and she and others said the issue has been well-discussed and researched:
Only two KIPP Academy proposals were accepted. The other groups now have until Nov. 9 to correct problems in their applications and resubmit. Several of the board members from MCS districts attributed the success of those charters that are already operating with an evaluation standard that has historically rejected more charter applications, especially at first.
As might be expected in a first meeting that included seven rookies and members who had operated apart for many years, there were snags. Approval of minutes from previous meetings, which usually is cursory, dragged on for nearly and hour. Several times throughout the meeting one member or another would voice objection to taking action on something, claiming they did not have enough information.
Jane Roberts filed this report for print and online, and followed up with a dispatch for the web on the resolution offered by MCS representative Sara Lewis opposing state Sen. Brian Kelsey's so-called vouchers bill -- providing public funds for students to use at a private school of their choosing. Diane George of Collierville asked that the board wait to meet with Kelsey before joining other major school systems in the state in formally renouncing and fighting against the bill. MCS board member Tomeka Hart was on the prevailing side, and she and others said the issue has been well-discussed and researched:
"It keeps coming, so I don't think there is any interest in talking. This is taking public dollars and going to private schools and we can do nothing about it. If charters don't do certain things they can be closed by state law, but there is nothing we can do with private schools."Probably the biggest news involving the charter approvals -- or, more accurately, the many rejections (only two of 22 made the cut) -- was the failed application from former Memphis mayor and schools superintendent Willie Herenton. His W.E.B. Du Bois Consortium did not come close to the 86 points from the charter evaluation committee required for approval, gaining just 57.5 points in all.
Only two KIPP Academy proposals were accepted. The other groups now have until Nov. 9 to correct problems in their applications and resubmit. Several of the board members from MCS districts attributed the success of those charters that are already operating with an evaluation standard that has historically rejected more charter applications, especially at first.
Leave a comment