WEBVTT
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- (female announcer)
Production funding for
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Behind the Headlines
is made possible in part by
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the WKNO Production Fund,
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the WKNO Endowment Fund,
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and by viewers
like you, thank you.
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- The Lakeland and
Germantown school districts,
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tonight, on
Behind the Headlines.
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[intense orchestral music]
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I'm Eric Barnes with
The Daily Memphian.
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Thanks for joining us.
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I am joined tonight by Jason
Manuel, the Superintendent
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of the Germantown
Municipal School District.
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Thanks for being here again.
- Thanks for having me.
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- Ted Horrell is Superintendent
of the Lakeland School System.
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Thanks for being here again.
- Great to be here. Thank you.
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- Along with Abigail Warren
from The Daily Memphian.
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We'll probably talk to
more superintendents
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as we move towards the
school year starting,
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but we got you all first, and
we're really glad you're here.
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You just went through
budget season,
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and let's kind of start there,
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maybe not necessarily the
dollars and cents of it,
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but what it says.
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I think for both of
you, you did, and again,
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I'm not gonna say
everything's the same
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or everything's different,
but just to start off,
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I think both of you
were able to get raises
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for teachers and staff done.
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You, in Lakeland, were
able to do, I think it was
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a 4 or $5 million
increase in your budget,
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which I'm curious about.
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So you know, y'all
are, I think 10 years
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from the deconsolidation
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and setting up the
independent school districts.
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What does this budget
say about where you are,
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where you've been,
and where you're going?
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I'll start with you, Ted.
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- Well, our situation's
a little bit different
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because we're adding a
grade level every year
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for each of the next two years,
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so when you see big
increases like that,
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most of that probably reflects
adding another 200 students,
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you know, per year, and the
funds that come with those.
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- And that's at the high school,
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you're adding 10th next year?
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- Adding 11th next year.
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So our 10th will become
our 11th grade next year,
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so, you know,
additional personnel,
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support staff, everything else.
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But certainly what you said,
I think the main priority,
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and for us, this was a year
that we could finally do that
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'cause we've got the economy
of scale to kind of do it,
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really make that major
investment in teacher salaries
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and get ahead of the
requirement to get teachers
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to a minimum $50,000
starting salary per year.
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- And that's a state
requirement that was passed
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this last legislative
session, or prior?
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- I think it was two years ago,
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but it goes into effect
the next budget year.
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And I know Germantown--
- We're ahead of the game.
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- Yeah, and for you, I mean,
again, you all are in it,
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I guess we get to
the 3Gs question
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and that kind of lingering,
what has been a challenge
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to put it lightly, but
talk about where you are
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in this budget season
and, you know, again,
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where you've been over
the last 10 years,
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where you're going.
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And again, talk about the
3Gs and the state of them.
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- Sure.
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Well, I think we had
challenges that some
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of the other school districts
didn't have from the start.
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So right off the bat,
three of the buildings,
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Germantown Elementary,
Germantown Middle,
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Germantown High
School, didn't come
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to the Germantown
Municipal School District.
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We were receiving students,
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but not the buildings
in that case.
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So for us, one of the
challenges we had,
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we didn't have reserves.
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And if you think about the
cash flow for school districts,
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a lot of our funding,
about 50% of our funding
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comes from property taxes and
people pay those typically
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December to February is when
people are paying those.
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And what you see in the bank
account in school districts,
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our money continually drops,
drops, drops, drops, drops
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until those property taxes
hit the bank account.
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So we have to have
reserves in order
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to have the cash flow
for school districts.
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So that was an early challenge
for all the school districts.
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And a lot of us had
revenue anticipatory notes
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or we had loans from our
cities in order to do that.
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So we all had to build
reserves to do that.
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So I think it's good that
all the school districts
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have built strong reserves
in order to provide
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for that cash flow.
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But then specifically,
for us now,
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we are making investments
around our strategic plan
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and making sure we're
accomplishing those goals.
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- And again, before
we go to Abigail,
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the state of the three schools,
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those three
schools we call the 3Gs
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stayed with Shelby
County Schools,
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now Memphis-Shelby
County Schools,
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there's been a lot
of negotiations.
03:59.472 --> 04:02.008 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Update everyone on the status
of each of those schools.
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- So that situation is settled
as far as Germantown Schools.
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So there's a transition
plan for those facilities.
04:07.513 --> 04:09.582 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
So for Germantown High School,
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Shelby County Schools has the
right to settle that property.
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What they were doing,
and it wasn't consistent
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with state law, was they
were educating students from
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Cordova area and they
were using buildings
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within our
municipality district.
04:22.996 --> 04:24.631 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
So they weren't
Germantown residents
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or majority Germantown residents
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that were attending
those schools.
04:29.135 --> 04:32.138 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
So what is happening now is,
I think Shelby County is working
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a situation where
they're gonna sell
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Germantown High
School's property,
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and they're gonna use those
funds to help with the school
04:38.378 --> 04:40.913 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
they're building in Cordova
that's gonna serve the students
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that were attending
Germantown High School.
04:43.049 --> 04:44.417 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
For the Germantown
Elementary and Middle,
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there's a slower
transition for those.
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It's a 10-year
period that they have
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in order to move those students.
04:49.122 --> 04:51.557 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Once again, those students
were not Germantown students,
04:51.557 --> 04:54.394 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
those students were
living in other areas
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and they were bringing those
students into those facilities.
04:57.363 --> 04:59.299 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
So that'll transition
over buildings.
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But as far as us, all
the physical students,
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residents of Germantown
are attending our schools.
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- Let me go to Abigail.
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- Because it's been 10 years
05:09.475 --> 05:11.844 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
since the municipal
school started,
05:11.844 --> 05:14.480 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
can you talk a little bit,
and y'all may wanna bounce
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off each other, how the
county got from two districts
05:18.217 --> 05:21.254 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
to one district to seven,
being six in the county.
05:21.254 --> 05:24.023 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
Can one of you recap,
'cause y'all lived it.
05:24.023 --> 05:25.925 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
- Is this a special
two-hour edition
05:25.925 --> 05:27.627 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
of Behind the Headlines?
[everyone laughs]
05:27.627 --> 05:30.496 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I think, most notable but a
lot of people probably take
05:30.496 --> 05:33.132 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
for granted at this point,
there were two systems.
05:33.132 --> 05:34.500 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
Jason and I were both part of
05:34.500 --> 05:37.236 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
what we now call legacy
Shelby County Schools.
05:37.236 --> 05:39.105 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
Memphis City Schools
was the other system.
05:39.105 --> 05:40.373 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
It gave up its charter.
05:40.373 --> 05:43.843 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
So we had 1 year,
the '13-'14 school year
05:43.843 --> 05:48.781 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
where we were all one district
and then the next year,
05:48.781 --> 05:49.916 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
we were seven districts.
05:49.916 --> 05:51.718 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
So the six municipal systems,
05:51.718 --> 05:55.121 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
and then the remaining
new Shelby County Schools,
05:55.121 --> 05:57.223 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
which is now Memphis-Shelby
County Schools.
05:57.223 --> 05:59.192 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
So, we had about
six months to kind
05:59.192 --> 06:02.128 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
of set up the new
municipal school system.
06:02.128 --> 06:06.199 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
So we went from two to one
to seven in three years.
06:06.199 --> 06:08.835 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- And where in there was
the election that was ruled,
06:10.169 --> 06:12.271 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
not official, for
lack of a better term,
06:12.271 --> 06:13.639 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
and then the other one?
06:13.639 --> 06:17.643 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- So that was before that
merged year of '13-'14.
06:17.643 --> 06:20.613 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
So we thought that we were
going to be able to open schools
06:20.613 --> 06:22.749 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
and it was gonna happen
that '13-'14 year
06:22.749 --> 06:25.218 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
but that's when they had to
go back to the drawing board.
06:25.218 --> 06:27.787 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
And there was new
legislation that was passed
06:27.787 --> 06:29.856 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
that changed the
way it was written.
06:29.856 --> 06:32.024 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
So that's why they
merged year happened.
06:32.024 --> 06:33.426 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- And was that
helpful in some way,
06:33.426 --> 06:34.861 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
setting up the school district?
06:34.861 --> 06:39.465 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Because, considering
the attorney said it wasn't,
06:39.465 --> 06:43.736 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
or the judge said
it wasn't official,
06:43.736 --> 06:46.406 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
that you didn't have
to necessarily abide by
06:46.406 --> 06:48.841 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
sunshine laws and things
of that nature as you were
06:48.841 --> 06:53.846 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
trying to get policies and
trying to do the groundwork.
06:55.047 --> 06:57.350 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- I don't know. It's
hard to have that...
06:57.350 --> 06:58.885 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
Look back and...
06:58.885 --> 07:02.488 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
- Well, practically, all
of that had to happen twice
07:02.488 --> 07:05.091 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
before we were even
named our position.
07:05.091 --> 07:08.494 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So I think there was some
certainly policy work
07:08.494 --> 07:10.963 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
that was worked out by the
boards before we came on board,
07:10.963 --> 07:14.500 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
but for the most part,
from the day we were named
07:14.500 --> 07:16.736 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and started, which most
of us was, you know,
07:16.736 --> 07:20.873 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
January 1st, 2013,
we had 6 months.
07:20.873 --> 07:23.342 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- So we still had six months
of compressed timeframe
07:23.342 --> 07:24.644 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
to build our school districts
07:24.644 --> 07:27.847 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and we relied heavily
on each other to do so.
07:27.847 --> 07:29.415 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So I don't know if it
was necessarily helpful.
07:29.415 --> 07:32.018 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
I think there were some
things that weren't helpful.
07:32.018 --> 07:34.987 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
You had a lot of challenges
because when we were dealing
07:34.987 --> 07:37.056 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
with staff moving from
one system to another,
07:37.056 --> 07:38.624 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
how do we transfer over data?
07:38.624 --> 07:41.093 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
How do we transfer over, when
you think about how teachers
07:41.093 --> 07:43.429 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
are paid over the summertime,
or administration.
07:43.429 --> 07:46.766 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
We had a lot of issues that
developed because of that,
07:46.766 --> 07:48.768 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
that we had to work
through legally.
07:48.768 --> 07:49.969 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
- All these years later,
07:52.805 --> 07:54.874 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
I'm gonna assume you're
happy that you did it,
07:54.874 --> 07:56.943 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
that you don't regret it and
that the boards and so on,
07:56.943 --> 07:58.778 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
but are you where you
thought you would be?
07:58.778 --> 08:00.179 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
I'll go with you first, Ted.
08:00.179 --> 08:02.415 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
Is this what you expected,
give or take 10 years?
08:02.415 --> 08:05.751 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- If you'd asked me
10 years ago if I thought
08:05.751 --> 08:10.256 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
we would have our own middle
and high school both fully
08:10.256 --> 08:13.459 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
built out, I would've said
no, that's too compressed.
08:13.459 --> 08:15.595 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
I mean, it's a pretty
quick turnaround
08:15.595 --> 08:20.099 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
to go from 1 school
with 820 students in 2014,
08:20.099 --> 08:22.902 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
and then 10 years later, we're
about to have a junior class.
08:22.902 --> 08:24.270 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
It's just a lot of construction.
08:24.270 --> 08:25.771 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
It's a lot of financial issues.
08:25.771 --> 08:30.209 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
So more than most, a lot
of our attention and energy
08:30.209 --> 08:33.880 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
has been focused on just having
the complete K-12 system.
08:33.880 --> 08:35.681 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
So we're a bit
ahead of schedule,
08:35.681 --> 08:37.583 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
in my mind, in that regard.
08:37.583 --> 08:39.318 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
- I'll say yes and no.
08:39.318 --> 08:41.954 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
I would say what you're looking
at here are two of the highest
08:41.954 --> 08:44.156 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
achieving districts
in the state of Tennessee,
08:44.156 --> 08:46.526 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
and we continually set the bar.
08:46.526 --> 08:49.529 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So we know that
efficiency is different
08:49.529 --> 08:51.564 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
when we have smaller
school systems.
08:51.564 --> 08:53.266 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
There's a joke, and I think
you're the one who tells me,
08:53.266 --> 08:55.167 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
like, how do we make
decisions in Germantown?
08:55.167 --> 08:57.803 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
We'll have three town halls,
two committee meetings,
08:57.803 --> 09:00.339 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and then we'll decide
as a school board.
09:00.339 --> 09:03.276 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
It's funny, but it's
also something special
09:03.276 --> 09:06.012 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
that really defines us and
defines both of our districts.
09:06.012 --> 09:09.015 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
When we think about how
do we make decisions,
09:09.015 --> 09:12.385 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
how do we move towards
what our communities want?
09:12.385 --> 09:15.154 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
There's a voice, there's
a way for our communities
09:15.154 --> 09:17.456 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
to really define, and you're
talking about programming.
09:17.456 --> 09:19.592 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
You're talking about how are
you building your buildings.
09:19.592 --> 09:20.693 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
When I think about
what y'all did
09:20.693 --> 09:23.262 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
to design that, it's incredible.
09:23.262 --> 09:25.431 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- Let me shift to some
of the more immediate issues.
09:25.431 --> 09:29.635 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And one is absenteeism,
what we used to call truancy,
09:29.635 --> 09:33.506 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
which is a national, I don't
know, some would say a tragedy.
09:33.506 --> 09:34.807 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
It's a national phenomenon.
09:34.807 --> 09:36.309 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
It is not unique to
your school districts,
09:36.309 --> 09:37.610 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
to Memphis school districts.
09:37.610 --> 09:40.613 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
I think nationally, it's
been pre-COVID to now,
09:40.613 --> 09:44.584 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
the rate of chronic absenteeism
was about 15% nationally.
09:44.584 --> 09:46.852 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
It's almost 30% now.
09:46.852 --> 09:49.288 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
Germantown, I think the
numbers the state put out,
09:49.288 --> 09:53.926 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
this is from '18-'19
to '22, '23, from 3 1/2
09:53.926 --> 09:56.796 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
to nine percent of
students in Lakeland,
09:56.796 --> 09:58.898 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
four and a half to 7.5.
09:58.898 --> 10:01.200 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
Shelby County Schools
went from 18 to 30.
10:01.200 --> 10:03.836 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
DeSoto went from 8 to 28.
10:03.836 --> 10:06.305 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
Statewide, it went
from 13% to 20%.
10:06.305 --> 10:09.041 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
A lot of numbers, and
not to target y'all.
10:09.041 --> 10:11.777 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Clearly, it was COVID,
but there's more to it
10:11.777 --> 10:14.080 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
because we're a bit past COVID
10:14.080 --> 10:16.015 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and these rates are
still relatively high.
10:16.015 --> 10:18.517 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So I'll start with you,
Jason. What happened?
10:18.517 --> 10:20.353 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
What are you doing?
Why does it happen?
10:20.353 --> 10:22.488 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
What do you hear from students?
10:22.488 --> 10:24.724 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And again, I should probably
say chronic absenteeism
10:24.724 --> 10:27.326 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
is considered missing
10% of the school days.
10:27.326 --> 10:30.896 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So, give or take
18 days, 18 to 20 days.
10:30.896 --> 10:34.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- So for us, we did see
a change in how students
10:34.233 --> 10:36.769 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
and families view
school attendance
10:36.769 --> 10:39.138 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
and just the drive to get there.
10:39.138 --> 10:41.207 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
So it has been a
challenge for us.
10:41.207 --> 10:43.809 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
We have a truancy officer
that works with families.
10:43.809 --> 10:46.245 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
We have social workers that
work with families to try
10:46.245 --> 10:49.548 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
to remove those barriers for
students to come to school.
10:49.548 --> 10:51.317 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So it's something that we
always have to work with.
10:51.317 --> 10:54.420 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
We've also had to play with
our exam exemption policy,
10:54.420 --> 10:57.356 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and we just changed it
again this past week.
10:57.356 --> 10:59.725 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So when we look at that
motivation for students
10:59.725 --> 11:01.594 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
to come to school, there was
a time at the high school
11:01.594 --> 11:03.829 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
where we thought, "Hey, the
only reason you're gonna be
11:03.829 --> 11:06.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
"exempt from an exam is if
you're doing well in that class
11:06.766 --> 11:08.467 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and you're making
an A in that class."
11:08.467 --> 11:10.936 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
In the past, we used
to have a carrot of,
11:10.936 --> 11:13.773 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
"And if you have
good attendance,
11:13.773 --> 11:15.841 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
that's also a component too."
11:15.841 --> 11:17.343 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
We removed that cap
11:17.343 --> 11:20.379 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and we saw the attendance
rates dramatically increase
11:20.379 --> 11:22.915 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
when we took away
the attendance piece.
11:22.915 --> 11:25.918 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And so now we have
slowly been removing it.
11:25.918 --> 11:27.820 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
And during COVID, it was higher,
11:27.820 --> 11:30.723 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
but now we are back to five
days to be exempt from exams
11:30.723 --> 11:32.992 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
'cause we have to have
those pieces in place
11:32.992 --> 11:34.827 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
to get those students to school.
11:34.827 --> 11:36.395 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- When you talk about
the truancy officers
11:36.395 --> 11:38.364 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
and working with families and
students, what are those...
11:38.364 --> 11:40.099 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
I'm not asking
for any specifics,
11:40.099 --> 11:43.936 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
names or anything like that,
but what do families say
11:43.936 --> 11:45.971 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
that they maybe didn't
say before COVID?
11:45.971 --> 11:48.140 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- I think everything's
different.
11:48.140 --> 11:50.876 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
It's just a view of how
they're dealing with school.
11:50.876 --> 11:52.745 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
But you're talking
about different families
11:52.745 --> 11:54.513 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
having different challenges
and different needs.
11:54.513 --> 11:57.049 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
So they may be working
through loss of a job.
11:57.049 --> 11:58.584 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
They may be working through
11:58.584 --> 12:00.352 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
a chronic disease
of a family member.
12:00.352 --> 12:02.154 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
And so a lot of what
we do is putting
12:02.154 --> 12:04.957 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
people in connection
with resources.
12:04.957 --> 12:06.292 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
And that's what our
social workers do
12:06.292 --> 12:08.961 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
to make sure they're
getting those supports.
12:08.961 --> 12:10.362 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
- Same questions to you.
12:10.362 --> 12:12.865 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
- I agree that I think it's
a myriad of challenges.
12:12.865 --> 12:15.868 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
I mean, sometimes it's
just economic challenges.
12:15.868 --> 12:17.136 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Somebody's in a
situation where they just
12:17.136 --> 12:18.971 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
can't get the child
to and from school
12:18.971 --> 12:20.973 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
because of, you know,
whatever reason.
12:20.973 --> 12:24.610 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
I do think during COVID,
it became not only acceptable,
12:24.610 --> 12:25.845 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
but kind of preferred
for people to say,
12:25.845 --> 12:27.747 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
"If I've got the
sniffles, I'm not sending
12:27.747 --> 12:29.281 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
my kid to school on these days."
12:29.281 --> 12:31.283 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
And so you put a few of these
things together, or maybe
12:31.283 --> 12:35.254 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
they're participating in an
athletic team that travels
12:35.254 --> 12:37.356 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and so they're gonna take
an extra day here or there.
12:37.356 --> 12:38.557 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
And you add all these things up
12:38.557 --> 12:41.093 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
and I think you end up
potentially with higher rates.
12:41.093 --> 12:45.464 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
- As an educator, does
some of it drive you nuts?
12:45.464 --> 12:48.267 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
I mean, I'm not taking away
from the legitimate excuses.
12:48.267 --> 12:51.003 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
But that kind of increase,
a lot of those things
12:51.003 --> 12:52.905 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
you're talking about
existed before COVID.
12:52.905 --> 12:55.775 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
So does it frustrate teachers?
12:55.775 --> 12:57.409 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
Is there more understanding?
12:57.409 --> 12:59.211 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
I mean, what is
the reaction to it?
12:59.211 --> 13:01.680 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- I think when you
dig into it, you find,
13:01.680 --> 13:04.750 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
very frankly, understandable
human stories.
13:04.750 --> 13:06.852 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
And again, they're all in
such different categories.
13:06.852 --> 13:09.955 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
I think for the most part,
our students and our parents
13:09.955 --> 13:12.358 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
want kids to be in school
and they do just about
13:12.358 --> 13:13.859 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
everything they can
to get them there.
13:13.859 --> 13:15.127 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
There's not a
situation where I say,
13:15.127 --> 13:16.996 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
"Well, they're
working the system
13:16.996 --> 13:18.597 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
or they're abusing it or
they don't wanna be there."
13:18.597 --> 13:20.833 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
I just think it's
a number of things.
13:20.833 --> 13:22.268 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5%
- Abigail.
13:22.268 --> 13:24.103 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
- Jason, you've probably
touched on yours a little bit,
13:24.103 --> 13:26.972 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
but for both of you,
the biggest challenge
13:26.972 --> 13:29.608 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
of the last 10 years
undoubtedly was COVID,
13:29.608 --> 13:32.111 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
the pandemic,
shutting down schools.
13:32.111 --> 13:33.612 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
But apart from that,
13:33.612 --> 13:36.982 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
what has been your biggest
challenge in the last 10 years?
13:38.517 --> 13:41.520 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
- Ooh. We've had multiple.
13:41.520 --> 13:43.656 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
Like I said, I think at
the beginning, financially,
13:43.656 --> 13:47.326 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
how do we build that
reserve and move carefully?
13:47.326 --> 13:50.296 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
One of the challenges
we've all faced is OPEB.
13:50.296 --> 13:52.231 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And I remember having
it and I was like,
13:52.231 --> 13:53.499 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
"OPEB, what is OPEB?"
13:53.499 --> 13:54.633 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
And I sat in a meeting
and they're like,
13:54.633 --> 13:55.668 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
"You've got an OPEB problem."
13:55.668 --> 13:56.936 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
And I was like, "Yes, we do."
13:56.936 --> 13:58.604 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And I had to go look
up what OPEB was.
13:58.604 --> 14:01.273 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
It's other
post-employment benefits.
14:01.273 --> 14:03.843 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
So Shelby County had a
policy where if you worked
14:03.843 --> 14:05.244 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
for the system and you retired,
14:05.244 --> 14:07.646 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
you got health
benefits in retirement.
14:07.646 --> 14:10.816 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
And so that is a
growing snowball.
14:10.816 --> 14:14.553 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
And as a district, I think
we all worked to close that door
14:14.553 --> 14:16.355 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
so that we didn't have
that growing payment.
14:16.355 --> 14:18.424 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So how do we financially
provide for those?
14:18.424 --> 14:20.359 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
And cities deal with this too.
14:20.359 --> 14:22.228 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
How do you provide for
those retirement benefits
14:22.228 --> 14:24.663 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
that, every year, you
have more and more people
14:24.663 --> 14:27.566 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
that are retiring and
the amount grows and grows.
14:27.566 --> 14:29.168 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
So we had to move
carefully with that.
14:29.168 --> 14:32.104 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
The biggest challenge I
think for us was the zoning.
14:32.104 --> 14:34.907 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
The three Germantown schools,
we have rezoned twice
14:34.907 --> 14:37.610 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
as a school district in a
10-year period and you'll have
14:37.610 --> 14:40.512 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
school districts that
don't rezone for 20 years.
14:40.512 --> 14:42.314 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
That has been
a big challenge for us.
14:42.314 --> 14:44.850 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
And how do we do that, and like
I said, and get the community
14:44.850 --> 14:47.553 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
buy-in so that they understand
where we drew those.
14:48.754 --> 14:52.324 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- I think most of where
we've spent our time
14:52.324 --> 14:53.993 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
or a great deal
of it has been on
14:53.993 --> 14:55.494 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
facilities in
Lakeland School System.
14:55.494 --> 14:58.397 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Again, building two, you
know, massive schools within,
14:58.397 --> 15:00.966 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
you know, the first few years
of being open is a big deal.
15:00.966 --> 15:04.069 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
I'll also say though that,
and I know Jason would agree,
15:04.069 --> 15:07.740 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
I think increasingly, we're
getting additional requirements,
15:07.740 --> 15:10.943 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
restrictions, regulations
handed down to us
15:10.943 --> 15:12.311 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
from the state legislature.
15:12.311 --> 15:14.613 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
I know that's happening
nationally as well,
15:14.613 --> 15:17.983 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
but the targets kind of tend
to change, the marks change.
15:17.983 --> 15:21.854 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
You're constantly having
to update or adapt policies
15:21.854 --> 15:24.189 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
maybe that you didn't expect to.
15:24.189 --> 15:26.091 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And it actually does
take a lot of time
15:26.091 --> 15:28.627 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
and energy to make sure
that you're in compliance
15:28.627 --> 15:31.764 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
with state law and doing
what you need to do there.
15:31.764 --> 15:33.632 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
But also making sure
your eye is on that prize
15:33.632 --> 15:35.834 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
of child benefit
in every situation.
15:35.834 --> 15:38.604 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So balancing those things
can be a challenge.
15:38.604 --> 15:40.306 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
- Talk about zoning.
15:40.306 --> 15:43.008 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
we talked about students,
I mean, Germantown is unique
15:43.008 --> 15:44.743 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
and that had the legacy schools
15:44.743 --> 15:46.812 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
staying within the city limits.
15:48.280 --> 15:50.015 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
I don't have kids in
the schools anymore,
15:50.015 --> 15:51.550 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
so I'm confused by this.
15:51.550 --> 15:54.820 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
There's a way in which people
from out of your districts
15:54.820 --> 15:57.056 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
can attend, I believe,
Germantown schools,
15:57.056 --> 15:58.657 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
I think Lakeland, I'm not sure.
15:58.657 --> 16:00.025 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- Not Lakeland.
- Not Lakeland, yeah.
16:00.025 --> 16:01.226 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Some of the other school
districts do this.
16:01.226 --> 16:02.561 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
So I'll just focus
on you, Jason.
16:02.561 --> 16:04.930 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Where they pay a fee if
they're not a resident.
16:04.930 --> 16:06.966 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
How does that whole process
work and what's the thinking?
16:06.966 --> 16:08.500 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
- What's defined by state law,
16:08.500 --> 16:10.035 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
and this will be our first
year that we're getting ready
16:10.035 --> 16:12.571 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
to charge tuition as
a school district.
16:12.571 --> 16:15.274 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
So it's based on the amount
that the city is providing
16:16.308 --> 16:18.043 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
through property taxes.
16:18.043 --> 16:20.279 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
So what they do is they
do a calculation of
16:20.279 --> 16:22.915 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
all the property taxes and
it's the equivalent of 15 cents
16:22.915 --> 16:25.250 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
for every a hundred dollars
in that property tax.
16:25.250 --> 16:26.919 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
So it's an amount
that they calculate
16:26.919 --> 16:28.220 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
and they have to provide.
16:28.220 --> 16:29.989 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
So all the municipals
have that component.
16:29.989 --> 16:32.658 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
The way you have to calculate
the tuition is you take
16:32.658 --> 16:35.260 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
your number of students and
you divide by that number
16:35.260 --> 16:36.528 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
and that's what
you come up with.
16:36.528 --> 16:38.097 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- Which is give or take
what in Germantown?
16:38.097 --> 16:39.631 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
- So we have $500 for the year.
16:39.631 --> 16:43.068 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
- Okay, so, I could
have, give or take,
16:43.068 --> 16:46.338 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I could have a child living
the heart of Memphis,
16:46.338 --> 16:47.973 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
I could live in Bartlett,
I could live in Lakeland.
16:47.973 --> 16:49.842 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I could apply to get there?
- Yes.
16:49.842 --> 16:52.845 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
So the way we do it, it's not
necessarily an application.
16:52.845 --> 16:56.281 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
You put your name in and it's
a lottery that you would draw.
16:56.281 --> 16:57.649 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
But we do it based on space.
16:57.649 --> 16:59.018 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
So we look at grade levels,
16:59.018 --> 17:00.819 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
we look at how much space
that we have for those.
17:00.819 --> 17:03.956 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
And every year, we have optimal
capacity in our classroom.
17:03.956 --> 17:06.225 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So we try to be less
than the state numbers.
17:06.225 --> 17:07.926 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And we are less than
the state numbers
17:07.926 --> 17:09.294 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
of teacher-student ratio
17:09.294 --> 17:11.497 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
and then we do a calculation
to determine that.
17:11.497 --> 17:14.099 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
A lot of ours are
employees' children
17:14.099 --> 17:16.035 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
that are attending our schools.
17:16.035 --> 17:18.203 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
We also have City of Germantown
employees are allowed
17:18.203 --> 17:20.639 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
to come too, so that's
a lot of our transfers too.
17:20.639 --> 17:22.441 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- And you allow City
of Germantown employees
17:22.441 --> 17:26.779 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
and GMSD employees' children
to go for free, correct?
17:26.779 --> 17:28.280 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
- Yes. Without tuition.
17:28.280 --> 17:30.015 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- I gotcha, gotcha. Was that
a state law you welcomed?
17:30.015 --> 17:31.283 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
Or one that you're like, "Well,
17:31.283 --> 17:34.053 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
that handed something to us."
- It's not required. Yes.
17:34.053 --> 17:36.388 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- It allowed it.
- It allows it. Yes.
17:36.388 --> 17:38.290 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
It sets limits on
what they can do, yes.
17:38.290 --> 17:40.059 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- Okay. And you all
have opted out of that?
17:40.059 --> 17:42.227 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
- We have, when we started,
we just didn't have extra room.
17:42.227 --> 17:43.529 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
I mean, we were
busting at the seams.
17:43.529 --> 17:46.365 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And so when we began the
system and contemplated
17:46.365 --> 17:48.167 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
if we were gonna have open
enrollment, we decided not to
17:48.167 --> 17:49.668 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and have just kind of
carried forward with that.
17:49.668 --> 17:51.937 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
All of our master
planning has been based on
17:51.937 --> 17:53.939 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
projected enrollment
in Lakeland.
17:53.939 --> 17:56.375 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
So basically, in Lakeland
School System, you either have
17:56.375 --> 17:59.011 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
to live in Lakeland or we
do also allow our employees
17:59.011 --> 18:01.280 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
of the school system in the city
18:01.280 --> 18:03.182 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
to send their students for free.
18:03.182 --> 18:05.284 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- Before, I should note, we
have about eight minutes left
18:05.284 --> 18:06.952 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
in the show and we
will be trying to get
18:06.952 --> 18:09.154 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
other superintendents from
the suburban school districts
18:09.154 --> 18:10.522 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
on in the coming
weeks or months.
18:10.522 --> 18:13.025 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
And we've been trying to
get the new superintendent
18:13.025 --> 18:14.159 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
of Memphis-Shelby
County Schools on.
18:14.159 --> 18:15.561 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
We thought we had her,
18:15.561 --> 18:17.429 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
they've had to cancel
three, four or five times.
18:17.429 --> 18:19.832 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
We're not quite sure yet, but
we are trying to get them on.
18:19.832 --> 18:22.634 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
And hoping the staff can get
that scheduled and keep to it.
18:22.634 --> 18:24.636 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
So let me go to Abigail.
18:24.636 --> 18:28.073 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
- Speaking of the legislature,
they came out with a law
18:28.073 --> 18:31.410 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
that allows, but doesn't
require teachers to be armed.
18:31.410 --> 18:35.514 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
How are each of your school
districts handling that?
18:35.514 --> 18:36.882 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
- So I think this is something
18:36.882 --> 18:38.417 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
that each district
has to look at.
18:38.417 --> 18:40.486 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
So know that the state law
prescribes that you have
18:40.486 --> 18:42.588 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
to have a joint agreement
between the principal
18:42.588 --> 18:43.989 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
of the school,
the superintendent,
18:43.989 --> 18:46.158 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
and local law enforcement.
18:46.158 --> 18:48.894 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
I think for some school systems,
that may be a good thing.
18:48.894 --> 18:53.899 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
If you look at the rate,
the time it takes for officers
18:53.899 --> 18:56.435 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
to get to the school,
and they may not have
18:56.435 --> 18:58.370 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
school resource officers
in their buildings.
18:58.370 --> 19:00.873 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
That may be a need for some
school systems to have that.
19:00.873 --> 19:02.608 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
We are very thankful
for our partnership with
19:02.608 --> 19:05.110 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
the City of Germantown
and we have SROs
19:05.110 --> 19:06.478 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
in each of our school buildings.
19:06.478 --> 19:09.114 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
We also have a floating
detective that goes around
19:09.114 --> 19:11.683 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
to all of our buildings,
and so they are armed.
19:11.683 --> 19:14.319 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And so we don't have the
need at this time to do that.
19:14.319 --> 19:16.388 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
It's not something that
we would close the door on,
19:16.388 --> 19:18.524 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
but at this time,
we don't have that need.
19:18.524 --> 19:21.793 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
- We don't have our own
municipal police department
19:21.793 --> 19:23.996 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
so we partner with the Shelby
County Sheriff's Department.
19:23.996 --> 19:26.632 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Sheriff Bonner has said
he does not support
19:26.632 --> 19:29.935 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
having employees with
firearms in school.
19:29.935 --> 19:33.005 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
So that really closes
the door for us.
19:33.005 --> 19:35.874 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
We do have armed Shelby
County Sheriff's deputies,
19:35.874 --> 19:37.176 align:left position:35% line:5% size:55%
two of them.
19:37.176 --> 19:39.111 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
At Lakeland Preparatory School
we have our own security guard,
19:39.111 --> 19:40.979 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
at Lakeland Elementary
School, who is armed.
19:40.979 --> 19:43.215 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
He's a former Shelby County
Sheriff's lieutenant.
19:43.215 --> 19:46.251 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
So we feel like we've got
a very, very good situation
19:46.251 --> 19:48.420 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
in terms of securing our
building and our students.
19:48.420 --> 19:51.890 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- All this comes out
of many things, I mean,
19:51.890 --> 19:54.993 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
but one is just mass shootings
at schools, and you know,
19:54.993 --> 19:59.164 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
it's about 10 years
since Sandy Hook,
19:59.164 --> 20:02.701 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
the first kids who were young
there, the mass shooting
20:02.701 --> 20:06.638 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
where 28 people were killed
at Sandy Hook in Connecticut
20:06.638 --> 20:07.873 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
have graduated from high school.
20:07.873 --> 20:09.408 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
I heard some interviews
with them recently
20:09.408 --> 20:10.676 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
and it was just...
20:10.676 --> 20:12.945 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
It's amazing that
10 years have gone by.
20:12.945 --> 20:14.379 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
I mean, you all
have been educators
20:14.379 --> 20:15.747 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
before you were
superintendents, right?
20:15.747 --> 20:17.316 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
I mean, you've been
educators forever.
20:17.316 --> 20:21.086 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
The change of when I was in,
you know, elementary, middle,
20:21.086 --> 20:24.189 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and high school to when you
all started to just even
20:24.189 --> 20:27.059 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
in the last 10 years,
beyond this arming teachers
20:27.059 --> 20:31.196 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
or arming staff, what other
changes have you had to pursue?
20:32.197 --> 20:34.166 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- Well, I think, I mean, it
starts with a mindset change.
20:34.166 --> 20:36.101 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
I mean the mindset
is: This could happen.
20:36.101 --> 20:37.936 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
And so when you look
at different situations
20:37.936 --> 20:40.772 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
in your school or you look at
the facilities planning,
20:40.772 --> 20:44.209 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
for example, or you look at, you
know, assemblies or athletics
20:44.209 --> 20:47.779 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
or anything like that,
it's not the, you know,
20:47.779 --> 20:49.681 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
hopefully not the main thing
you think about every day,
20:49.681 --> 20:52.017 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
but it has to be
something you think about
20:52.017 --> 20:54.353 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and we work carefully
with our partners
20:54.353 --> 20:57.089 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
in both the fire department,
the sheriff's department,
20:57.089 --> 20:59.791 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
and Homeland Security and
the State of Tennessee,
20:59.791 --> 21:01.560 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Department of Education
just to make sure.
21:01.560 --> 21:04.563 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
The question's always: Are we
doing everything that we can?
21:04.563 --> 21:06.865 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And we try to keep up
with best practices
21:06.865 --> 21:09.534 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and feel like that's
what we're doing.
21:09.534 --> 21:12.771 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
- So for us, and it's a new
requirement for new construction
21:12.771 --> 21:14.239 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
that you have
bullet-resistant glass.
21:14.239 --> 21:16.174 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So we have
bullet-resistant glass
21:16.174 --> 21:17.709 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
in all of our buildings now.
21:17.709 --> 21:21.680 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
Like I said, we do training
with our staff on that.
21:21.680 --> 21:24.182 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
We train with paramedics also
and the SWAT team so that
21:24.182 --> 21:26.184 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
they learn tourniquets
and battlefield
21:26.184 --> 21:28.553 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
because when the police come
to sweep the building, you have
21:28.553 --> 21:30.722 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
to think about who's doing
the lifesaving procedures.
21:30.722 --> 21:33.292 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
It's not the police, they're
trying to deal with the threat.
21:33.292 --> 21:36.094 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
So we do extensive training
with our staff too.
21:36.094 --> 21:40.399 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
The SROs in each of our
buildings is a key piece for us.
21:40.399 --> 21:43.302 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
And then reunification,
making that plan for,
21:43.302 --> 21:45.971 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
if you have an event like this,
where are you relocating to?
21:45.971 --> 21:48.206 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So we all have extensive
plans that we work with.
21:48.206 --> 21:50.275 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
- I mean, there's no
argument with any of that.
21:50.275 --> 21:51.843 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
I don't think anyone listening
21:51.843 --> 21:53.745 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
shouldn't do those
and have to those.
21:53.745 --> 21:56.782 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
But is there a way in which
we sort of normalized this?
21:56.782 --> 21:58.750 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
I mean, I can remember
Columbine, you know,
21:58.750 --> 22:00.419 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
in my lifetime, was
one of the first big...
22:00.419 --> 22:04.389 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And now it is, I think anyone
would say, way too frequent.
22:04.389 --> 22:06.358 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
And also, how do
the kids respond?
22:06.358 --> 22:07.859 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
The young kids, the older kids?
22:07.859 --> 22:09.361 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
The older kids have lived
with this their whole life.
22:09.361 --> 22:11.663 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
They've seen it on TV, they've
seen it on social media.
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I mean, what's the
emotional side of this?
22:15.334 --> 22:16.668 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
- I think that's
a great question.
22:16.668 --> 22:18.537 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
I don't know that I have
the expertise to say,
22:18.537 --> 22:19.905 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
you know, their
emotional impact.
22:19.905 --> 22:22.607 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
I do know that students
from a young age now have
22:22.607 --> 22:24.776 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
to be aware because we have
drills that are required
22:24.776 --> 22:27.145 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
and that are necessary
to make sure that,
22:27.145 --> 22:29.748 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
if the, you know,
unthinkable happens,
22:29.748 --> 22:31.216 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
that everybody's prepared.
22:31.216 --> 22:33.919 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
So there is, again,
there is a mindset shift
22:33.919 --> 22:35.387 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
is the main thing.
22:35.387 --> 22:36.621 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
- Thoughts on that.
22:36.621 --> 22:38.390 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
- Yeah, I think we
have to be prepared.
22:38.390 --> 22:41.259 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
And so that's the promise,
not like we're desensitized.
22:41.259 --> 22:43.428 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
It's like everyone knows that
your worst nightmare could
22:43.428 --> 22:47.099 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
happen as a leader in a school,
as a teacher in a school
22:47.099 --> 22:48.934 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
working with children and
I think that's the fear.
22:48.934 --> 22:50.302 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
And every time it happens,
22:50.302 --> 22:52.371 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60%
it's a case study
of unfortunately,
22:52.371 --> 22:55.240 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
"Oh, what could have been done
better in this situation?"
22:55.240 --> 22:57.542 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
And we're all looking to
those events, unfortunately,
22:57.542 --> 22:59.544 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
to see how we can
improve our safety.
22:59.544 --> 23:01.513 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
- A couple minutes
left here, Abigail.
23:01.513 --> 23:02.981 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- I know this is kind
of a hard question,
23:02.981 --> 23:05.016 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
but if you had a crystal ball
23:05.016 --> 23:07.753 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
and could foresee what
your biggest challenge is
23:07.753 --> 23:10.355 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
in the next 10 years,
what do you think that is?
23:11.623 --> 23:13.291 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- We are playing catch-up
for facilities now
23:13.291 --> 23:14.793 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
at Houston High School.
23:14.793 --> 23:16.962 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So we have a Houston
High School master plan.
23:16.962 --> 23:19.831 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
That building was
built in late '80s
23:19.831 --> 23:21.633 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and so that's something
that we are looking
23:21.633 --> 23:25.470 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
for funding from our
municipality in order to help us
23:25.470 --> 23:27.139 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
make sure that we're
keeping up with
23:27.139 --> 23:28.407 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
the incredible facilities
23:28.407 --> 23:30.175 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
that you see in other
school districts.
23:30.175 --> 23:31.543 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
But that's something
that we need to work on
23:31.543 --> 23:33.879 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
so that we're providing
the classroom space,
23:33.879 --> 23:36.748 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
the lab space, because
how we teach has changed.
23:36.748 --> 23:39.951 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
- Similar to the last part,
we're always concerned
23:39.951 --> 23:41.620 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
and trying to look
ahead on facilities
23:41.620 --> 23:43.655 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
'cause it's likely that
we may need another one,
23:43.655 --> 23:47.759 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
certainly within 10 years,
but students are different.
23:47.759 --> 23:50.362 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
The way they learn is different,
their needs are different.
23:50.362 --> 23:52.831 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So we're constantly
trying to adapt to that
23:52.831 --> 23:56.268 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and everything from our
schedule to our curriculum
23:56.268 --> 23:59.538 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
to our technology, certainly
AI comes into play.
23:59.538 --> 24:02.307 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
You know, what is it that
the kids need to know
24:02.307 --> 24:04.009 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
that we didn't know
they needed to know
24:04.009 --> 24:06.244 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
even two years ago
when it comes to AI?
24:07.546 --> 24:09.047 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- Last question. We could
do a whole show on this.
24:09.047 --> 24:11.817 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
Vouchers, the governor's
big massive voucher program
24:11.817 --> 24:14.419 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
did not pass the legislature
this past session.
24:14.419 --> 24:17.088 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
It is pretty clear
it's gonna come back.
24:17.088 --> 24:22.027 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
Each of you, you support or
you are opposed to the voucher.
24:22.027 --> 24:24.763 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
Yeah. The opposed
to it, and why?
24:26.364 --> 24:28.834 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- We believe and have
stated very strongly
24:28.834 --> 24:31.736 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
that we think public dollars
should go to public schools.
24:31.736 --> 24:34.439 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And beyond that, we think
that if dollars are going
24:34.439 --> 24:36.174 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
to different schools, then
they all need to be held
24:36.174 --> 24:38.577 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
to the same expectations
and accountability.
24:38.577 --> 24:41.346 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
That's not what
the proposals say.
24:41.346 --> 24:43.482 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And I don't feel like
the voucher program
24:43.482 --> 24:44.983 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
strengthens public schools.
24:44.983 --> 24:47.486 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And I have to believe public
schools are a bedrock of,
24:47.486 --> 24:50.455 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
you know, our nation.
24:50.455 --> 24:53.425 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
And it's important to cause them
24:53.425 --> 24:54.793 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
to be as strong as they can be.
24:54.793 --> 24:58.797 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- So I'm strongly, deeply
opposed to vouchers.
24:58.797 --> 25:00.699 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Every year since I've
been a superintendent,
25:00.699 --> 25:03.702 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
we've added 50 laws on the books
25:03.702 --> 25:05.403 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
every year and
they don't go away.
25:05.403 --> 25:06.905 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
You talk about
the accountability,
25:06.905 --> 25:09.274 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
you talk about the
things, the limits around:
25:09.274 --> 25:10.609 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
How long do you
have to teach math?
25:10.609 --> 25:12.377 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
How long do you have
to teach English?
25:12.377 --> 25:14.446 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
How many hours of
PE are you getting?
25:14.446 --> 25:15.814 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
Student-teacher ratios,
25:15.814 --> 25:17.816 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
what exactly are you
teaching in the standards?
25:17.816 --> 25:20.051 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
We don't have that flexibility.
25:20.051 --> 25:22.521 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And if the goal is to
provide options for families
25:22.521 --> 25:25.223 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
to do that, take the
handcuffs off of us.
25:25.223 --> 25:27.292 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
Let us have a little
more flexibility
25:27.292 --> 25:29.561 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
because we are high-achieving
school districts.
25:29.561 --> 25:30.962 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
Let us have those options.
25:30.962 --> 25:33.598 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
If you think that parents need
to have something different,
25:33.598 --> 25:35.934 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
why are you building
such a tight box
25:35.934 --> 25:37.469 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
for public school systems?
25:37.469 --> 25:39.838 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And also too, if the
goal is to provide
25:39.838 --> 25:41.907 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
for students' choice,
that choice exists
25:41.907 --> 25:44.376 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
and you should
have other options.
25:44.376 --> 25:47.078 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
We have charter schools,
we take transfers for students.
25:47.078 --> 25:49.080 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- All right. Again, we may do
a whole other show on that.
25:49.080 --> 25:50.248 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
But thank you both
for being here.
25:50.248 --> 25:51.550 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
Appreciate it.
Thank you, Abigail.
25:51.550 --> 25:53.485 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
Again, coming in
the next few weeks,
25:53.485 --> 25:56.154 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
we've got Juvenile
Judge Tarik Sugarmon
25:56.154 --> 25:57.722 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
we've got the interim
president of CBU.
25:57.722 --> 25:59.491 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
We've got State
Senator Brent Taylor
25:59.491 --> 26:01.826 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and Josh Spickler from
Just City coming on
26:01.826 --> 26:03.528 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
talking about some of the
criminal justice reforms.
26:03.528 --> 26:05.397 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And we're hoping to have
the new superintendent
26:05.397 --> 26:08.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
in Memphis-Shelby County School
sometime sooner than later.
26:08.166 --> 26:09.267 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
Thanks very much.
26:09.267 --> 26:10.402 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60%
If you missed any
of the episode,
26:10.402 --> 26:12.103 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
you can get it
online at wkno.org
26:12.103 --> 26:13.838 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
or wherever you
get your podcasts.
26:13.838 --> 26:15.140 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
We'll see you next week.
26:15.140 --> 26:17.809 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
[intense orchestral music]
26:27.519 --> 26:29.521 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
[acoustic guitar chords]