Tri-State Defender


February 3 - 9, 2011 NEWS In their own words


Shelby County Commissioner Sidney Chism: “We have been fighting this issue for 200 years.


Every time we have had a major obstacle put in our way it has always been about educating our kids. This is an indication ofwhy they don’twant our children to be well educated. We have studied the law and sug- gested change according to the rules aswritten, so now they will suddenly change the rules. “We need to come to the conclusion that every child


in Shelby County should be educated in the sameman- ner. If we have to get in the streets as we have done before that is what we are going to have to do.”


State Sen. Jim Kyle: “I have never seen anything like this in my


life….We have people playing by the rules and now the state wants to change the rules… “This is the most volatile issue I have ever been


around and a very delicate time in our state’s his- tory…and they are trying to ramrod this legislation like a train on a track.”


SCHOOLS CONTINUED FROM FRONT


the Council turning toward it’s ace-in-the-hole option grew on Wednesday after the Re- publican-dominated Senate Education Committee voted 6-3 to pass out Norris’ pro- posed legislation. In addition to the three-year planning pe- riod, the latest version of Nor- ris’ bill proposes a 21-member transition commission and would allow special school districts and municipal school districts in Shelby County after control of the City Schools passed to Shelby County Schools.


www.tristatedefender.com for details of the Council session.) However, the likelihood of


moving scenario, Gov. Bill Haslam let it be known that no merger of the schools could move forward without a transi- tion plan being on his desk and that itmust be presented to him within two weeks. Addition- ally, a 30-day deadline was given for a full transitional plan. Haslam’smove stirred uncut


anger from many local De- mocrats. Meanwhile, the Rev. Dr.


Norrismeasure, he had dropped the push for County residents outside of Memphis to vote on theMarch 8 referendum. Earlier this week in the fast-


And in this incarnation of the


Shelby County Board of Commissioner Sidney Chism was direct and blunt as he spoke about the schools dilemma to mem- bers of the Shelby County Legislative Delegation this week. (Photo by Earl Stanback)


“If race is an issue, it is here: A majority Black school board has failed to educate a majority Black school system in a majority Black city with a majority Black city council.”


Kenneth T. Whalum


Kenneth T. Whalum Jr., a Memphis City Schools Board of Commissioners member, took a different stance. He op- poses surrender of the MCS


manner in which many local politicians are reacting to Governor Haslam’s edict. It is as if they don’t understand how state government oper- ates. I believe the unrepentant howling is counterproductive, and sets a terrible example for our children,” said Whalum in an Internet-dis-


charter. “It is amazing to see the


Kenneth T. WhalumJr.


t r i b u t e d reflection. “All this


would be helpful if everyone would take a step back and do some serious introspection and reflection on theword, ‘surren- der.’” Whalum is among those


accept re- sponsibil- ity for the failings of our educa- tional sys- tem.


c a u s e MCS re- fuses


to


is happen- ing


be-


to write the $57 (million) check in obedience to the court’s lawful order.” That’s a reference to a protracted dis- pute about funds the courts have determined the City should have paidMCS. In hismissive,Whalumcon-


cluded that “the racial carping from certain of us” is shame- ful. “If race is an issue, it is here:


It


Amajority Black school board has failed to educate amajority Black school system in a ma- jority Black city with a major- ity Black city council.” Preparing to leave for


who advocate for Mayor A C Wharton and the City Council detailing why “they still refuse


Nashville to speak before the Senate Education Committee that eventually passed out an amended Norris bill,Memphis Board of Education Commis- sionerMartavius Jones said he


remain for Norris’ measure, and ultimately any bill em- braced by the Tennessee Gen- eral Assembly lands on the desk of Haslam.


done his homework in crafting the bill, but I can see a couple of major flaws in it and I am hoping that legal minds will find them as well and judge them unconstitutional.” Several legislative hurdles


white, should be concerned aboutwhat they are planning to do. The bill circumvents past customs and past practices in creating laws, and it has not been done in a transparentway, which should be offensive to everyone,” he said. “I will admit that Norris has


was nearly at a loss for words to describe his reaction. “Memphians, black and


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