Unified Board Members Hit Nashville

Memphis, Tn - For anxious new Memphis Unified School Board members, it was their first opportunity to get the lay of the land on the hill in Nashville. A game plan and every minute seemed to count.

"So, we figured three board members each spread out through the capitol building. Talk to them about issues that affect Shelby County," said Board member Kevin Woods.

But, for veterans like the indomitable David Pickler, Education Day on Capitol Hill is all about positioning yourself near the seats of power. It's a wise strategy of instead of pounding shoe-leather down the corridors just "hurry up and wait" for the guy you really want to see.

"We want to make sure that if there are impediments that as we're going through developing a path toward this new reality that the legislature will work with us and help empower the work that's being done," said Pickler.

But, some USB members, though not readily willing to ask the question on camera, did wonder if Pickler had more than his expressed agenda on his mind when he hosted an expensive dinner at a swank Nashville steakhouse on Monday night for Republican legislators and USB Board members. No Democrats were invited. Pickler told Fox 13 News it was just a personal tradition and not a mysterious end run.

"It's been scheduled every year for that evening. And so, no agenda behind that. Just a matter of a group of friends getting together."

"I think that our children. We shouldn't look at Democrats and Republicans. I don't think it's a D&R issue. I think it's our children's issue. We need to focus on everyone of them in Shelby County," said Board member Dian George.

But, with issues such as vouchers, charter schools and funding up in the air, nearly all of the USB representatives sang from the hymn book on one issue. Until proven otherwise, let us educate our children, our way.

Memphis City Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash said, "The children in Memphis will drive the progress for the whole state. Everybody knows that. But, sometimes we don't actually support that politically. So, that's what's needed up here."

"We'd like it to be handled locally. But, also with the understanding that if this doesn't turn out well, it's really on Nashville. Because they're responsible for education in the state of Tennessee. So, they do have a say in it," said Unified Board member David Reaves.