SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — It was all smiles at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new STEM facility at Whitehaven High School back in April. But just a few months later, the project is in jeopardy over a lack of funding, and county leaders are placing the blame on Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
“We’ve done our part. The constituents have done their part. The Whitehaven community has done their part. It’s time for Memphis Shelby County Schools to do their part,” said Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford, Jr. at Wednesday’s county commission meeting. “If a group promises something, I don’t care if it was two years ago and a different superintendent, it needs to honor their promise.”
Shelby County Commissioners and Whitehaven community members blasted MSCS this week, saying their portion of the funding — $2.3 million — is nowhere to be found. The project can’t continue until all of the funding has been properly allocated.
“I attended the groundbreaking and the excitement was in the air. To have this snag is really concerning, but I'm hoping that it's just delayed and not denied,” said Whitehaven community advocate Jason Sharif.
Sharif is optimistic the issue will be resolved, with MSCS filling that gap as promised or another group stepping up.
“I know what this STEM center is going to mean to Whitehaven; it’s going to be a game changer for our students here in Whitehaven, and it’s something that’s definitely needed,” Sharif said.
ABC24 asked Memphis-Shelby County Schools about the missing money, and they sent the following statement: “We anticipate this matter being resolved very soon and look forward to the construction of a new STEM building that is up to code and ready to service the Whitehaven Community.”
The commissioners are considering a proposal to allocate the missing funds themselves, and a vote is scheduled for Monday.