Republican Wins Could Change Shelby County Schools to "Special School District"

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - If Republicans sweep elections not only in Memphis, but across the state, it could have a big effect on the children of Shelby County. Shelby County Republicans are hoping the expected victories means passing a bill that would allow "special school districts."

The election is still a day away, but Shelby County Republicans are confident they now have the support to pass the bill that would allow these special districts.
Passing the bill to allow special school districts is a top priority for Shelby County Republicans.

If it does pass in Nashville, it would allow Shelby County Schools to change its official status from "county school district" to "special school district," which would have a ripple effect on all the children of the area.

The "district status" of Shelby County schools, is likely to become a hot topic in Nashville once the legislative session opens in January.

Representative Ron Loller plans to support a measure to make Shelby County Schools an independent district.

"We think we've got a better chance to get it because people are more open to some types of changes that could help," said Loller.

That's because Republicans are expected to take over.

So the support for allowing "special school districts" is finally there after years of being blocked. Right now there can be no new "special school districts,” but a vote from the legislation would change that and SCS would be the first to apply to change its status.

If SCS became a special district, consolidation with Memphis City Schools would not be possible and the borders of the district would remain the same regardless of annexations by Memphis.

"I think its a very crafty way to represent their constituency," said Joesph Kyles a FOX13 political insider who says the real issue is funding.

He says the "special school districts" bill opens the door for a bill to change the funding model. Right now for every one dollar that goes to construction projects in Shelby County Schools, Memphis City Schools must get three dollars.

That money comes from county taxes.

The three dollars for every one dollar is because Memphis has roughly three times the number of students but a bill could change that model.

Memphis City Schools would no longer be guaranteed that money.

"They want to spend their money, they don't want to have to allocate their resources to the city because they feel like that's the city's problem," said Kyles

Loller says a bill to change funding requirements is a possibility.

He says since Shelby County has grown so much, it’s had to build many schools.

Whatever money is spent for that construction, triple must be given to city schools, and he says that is bankrupting the county.

"About $2.1 billion that Shelby County owes, about half of that is owed for school buildings," said Loller.