MCS Board Member Debates Students' Merger Debate

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Students at the heart of the Memphis City School showdown will get a chance to formally debate the issue this weekend. But at least one school board member says the topic is over politicized and he's threatened to pull funding for the district's debate league if he doesn't get more answers on how it's run.

This Sunday the Memphis Urban Debate League will debate perhaps Memphis' hottest topic right now, a vote for or against transferring the administration of Memphis City Schools to the Shelby County Board of Education. Only the debate league advisory board president says the topic sparked a threatening email from Memphis City School Board Member, Reverend Kenneth Whalum, Jr.

"I thought it was unwise and I still think it's unwise and it unnecessarily politicizes an issue that is political enough," said Whalum.

Whalum confirmed that he sent the email, which talks of the league finding other matters to deal with. In the email, Whalum stated will do everything within his power to discontinue any and all funding to the MUDL until such time as this 'political ploy' is abated.

"With regard to funding, absolutely. If we are not provided with the bylaws of the organization that makes sense," he said.

Whalum denied using the term 'political ploy' and said his comments were driven by concerns over how the league is run after hearing the league's advisory board president stand up and support a charter surrender the night of the vote. The President, Jim Sdoia, wasn't available for an on camera interview, but told FOX13 by phone he was speaking that night as an individual. Sdoia said the league isn't taking a stand on the issue of a school transfer, just giving students, who he called the stakeholders in the matter, a chance to debate both sides of a current event.

"My issue is administrative and supervisory in the sense we need to know what the bylaws of the organization are," Whalum said.

Whalum said he doesn't oppose debates. In this case, it's just the topic he disagrees with. He has requested an audit of funding to the MUDL and a copy of the organization's bylaws.