Memphis City Schools Beat Blog

The Memphis City Council is planning to give final approval Tuesday to its property tax cut that will take a huge slice of the pie away from Memphis City Schools, but board members and district executives aren't going down without a fight.

School officials are holding a press conference this afternoon to decry the loss of approximately $66 million of the $93.5 million they were anticipating next year and discuss an emergency budget plan that includes a 10 percent across the board cut in department budgets.

The significant reduction in school funding allowed the council to absorb an overall increase in city government spending of more than $30 million while decreasing the property tax rate by 18 cents.

Board members and district staffers say the cuts will affect the classroom and require the reduction and elimination of several programs, including adult education and driver's education. Students would have fewer librarians and counselors to help them this August as well under the new plan.

Board members have told their general counsel to sue the city if it doesn't change its mind. And the district may also file suit against the state to prevent it from withholding $423 million in state funding as a result of the council's action.

Taxpayers could find their money going to government entities battling each other in court all summer and well into the fall.

Is the property tax break is worth the current confusion and potential lawsuits?

Should the city of Memphis keep funding education or stand its ground?

Or is there another solution policymakers haven't thought of yet?

Let us know what you think.