Special School District Could Cut MCS Funding in Half

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. - Thursday the Memphis City School Board of Commissioners hosted a special school district public information session to present the findings of a University of Memphis special school district impact study.

The session included a 13 page slide show telling how a special county school district could affect MCS.

After reviewing the study some members of the school board are saying if Shelby County schools become a special school district the results would be damaging.

"The citizens of Memphis and the students in Memphis city schools will be cut off from half of the tax base that it is now receiving funds from and I don't see how we don't see that as dire and we have time to continue to say lets meet lets meet lets meet,” said MCS commissioner Tomeka Hart.

“If what I have heard it to be true in terms of the special school district then I think that every legislative member in Shelby County needs to stand together and say no,” said Memphis City Council member Myron Lowry.

"Last year they were within one vote of creating a special school district. We already know based on the study if they become a special school district the detrimental effects it would have not only on Memphis City Schools but the Memphis tax payer,” said Hart.

If Shelby County schools are given special school district status that means MCS schools would lose half of it's funding for its students meaning higher taxes for the citizens of Memphis.

According to the study, the number value would make Memphis taxes increase by 20 cents and Shelby County taxes decrease by 34 cents.

"It's going to be more money to keep the level and raise it. We wouldn't have that if half the tax base is taken away from what we currently are able to tap into to provide education for all of Shelby County," said MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash.

"Shelby County is doing what they think is in the best interest of Shelby County Schools and that is why they are pushing for special school district,” said Hart.