MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Just when we thought the Tennessee was doing something positive for education in the state, we discover that some members couldn’t resist finding another way to punish Memphis and Shelby County. Along with reasonable bills promoting literacy and holding teachers harmless for low test scores during the pandemic, lawmakers have also hatched a plan to take funding away from schools that do not get students back into actual classrooms.
The bill was proposed during a special legislative session that ended Friday. Thankfully no action was taken on it, but the bill could resurface when the regular legislative session resumes next month.
The proposal would allow the state to withhold money from any school district that does not offer at least 70 days of in person classes this school year. Shelby and Davidson County schools would be the only ones affected by the proposal. Imagine that.
What’s happening here is clear - some Republican lawmakers are ignoring the toll COVID-19 has taken on Memphis residents. And they have no appreciation for the efforts school leaders are making to keep people safe. Or they just don’t care.
I applaud Superintendent Joris Ray for standing up for SCS students and not backing down. We all want our kids back in school. But we also want them, their teachers and the entire community protected from the virus. The legislature should be helping us, not threatening us. And that’s my point of view.
