Shelby County, Memphis School systems (Humboldt, Milan: property taxes, housing, rental)

[Michelle Bell]

Where can i go to find out how Tennessee local & state school taxes are distributed ,and what are the laws governing the establishment of independent school districts in Tennessee. Recently moved from Texas. There are shovel-fuls of money here in property taxes, but how are they distributed to public schools. Something seems wrong. Why so many private schools in a wealthy area of Shelby County that could support excellence in public schools. Where do i start my search, and anyone have any facts or ideas on the situation?

[Pearlbob]

There are tons of private schools because the public schools are the worst in the nation. Hard to explain why, but demographics play a large roll. Memphis has an abundance of very poor people, which cycles around to being very uneducated people who therefore have kids that are poor and uneducated. I agree more money needs to go to the schools, however it's going to take a lot more than money to bring these schools up to par. You'd have to educate the parents too, which as any teacher knows is one of the hardest parts of educating a child.

If you are moving here with kids, you should just take it in stride. I know it's hard to wrap your head around, but it's been this way a long time and will not be changing soon. Tons of people have tried, complained, etc and it just doesn't do much good for some reason.

[strumpeace]

Not sure where to direct you, but I do know that establishing an independent school district in Tennessee is beyond difficult. Gibson County (rural West Tennessee) is the only county I know of in this area that supports independent school districts, which in Tennessee are called 'special school districts'. In Gibson County, there is a county-wide school system, and then several of the small towns support their own school systems, as well (Milan and Humboldt are two that come to mind).

As far as why the schools here are undesirable --

I think Pearlbob's assessment is correct. The schools reflect the communities in which they are based. Additionally, my understanding is that there is minimal parental involvement in many of the schools here; the Memphis City Schools system practically begs people to come in to schools and volunteer to do something--anything--for an hour a week.

[Pearlbob]

It's sort of a catch 22 thing as well - of course, you want to fight it, you want to make things better....but what are you going to do, put your kids in a horrible school and wait it out? Just to make a point? Hope things get better for your kids within a few years? No way. You put your kids in the best schools you can find, which are private or well outside Memphis. It's not about giving up and taking the easy way out. It's about doing what's best for your children.

[JMT]

I agree with both Pearlbob and strumpeace.

I would like to add that Memphis city schools are flush with cash. A lack of money is not the problem. Public school teachers in Memphis are the highest paid in the state, and there is not a shortage of money to fully fund all the activities, educational and otherwise, that are demanded. Because of the financially poor populace and poorly educated populace, the school system receives millions in additional federal funds every year.

There are waaayyyy too many public schools in Memphis. Probably half of the high schools should be closed and consolidated with other high schools (some have graduating classes of 40-50). But because those schools tend to be in poor black neighborhoods, many in the local community cry racism whenever it's suggested that the schools be closed and merged.

I think another part of the problem is the private schools. Not that private schools are necessarily a bad thing, but what it does is take many of the best and brightest students and their parents out of the public schools. And I can't say that I blame them. If I lived in the city of Memphis and had kids, I would also do whatever it takes to get my kids into a good private school.

But I do think that White Station is an excellent high school, and Overton and Ridgeway aren't too bad, either. Otherwise, Memphis city high schools are dismal.

[tennreb]

The current formula is that for every dollar the county raises for schools, 70 cents goes to the city schools and thirty cents goes to the county schools.

[ballcoachdave]

Don't discount Cordova Elementary and Cordova Middle. Both of these schools, which are Memphis City, are excellent schools. Cordova Middle and Cordova High are busting at the seams because they are housing students from annexed areas that desperately need new schools built. The overpopulation of schools (student : teacher ) does play a large role in the that school's climate.

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by ballcoachdave

Don't discount Cordova Elementary and Cordova Middle. Both of these schools, which are Memphis City, are excellent schools. Cordova Middle and Cordova High are busting at the seams because they are housing students from annexed areas that desperately need new schools built. The overpopulation of schools (student : teacher ) does play a large role in the that school's climate.

I've heard a lot of bad stuff about gangs at Cordova. Is that true?

[Pearlbob]

Cordova HS was just ranked one of the only 2 Memphis area schools in the Nation's Top 100 schools, or something to that effect.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Cordova HS was just ranked one of the only 2 Memphis area schools in the Nation's Top 100 schools, or something to that effect.

It was ranked 1,187 by Newsweek's top 1300 schools rankings. America's Top Public High Schools - Newsweek America's Best High Schools - MSNBC.com

White Station came in at 931.