FAST FACTS:
(Downtown Memphis 1/12/2010) Memphis City Schools will have to wait to get tens of millions of dollars in funding, this year, from the City of Memphis. Tuesday night the Memphis City Council voted to wait and see what the courts decide.
"We as a council made a big mess for ourselves and MCS," said Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen-Ware.
More than a year ago the council voted to pull funding from MCS. The school district sued and a judge ordered the city to pay.
Now the city has to come up with $50 million for the district.
Councilman Jim Strickland crafted the funding plan that's on the table .
$30 million from reserves. $10 million in cuts from the city. And another $10 million in cuts from MCS.
Councilman Myron Lowery is not a fan of the plan. "This solution being offered in item 27 by Mr. Strickland is a piecemeal solution."
After that criticism, Lowery threw the council a curve ball. He issued a substitute proposal, urging the council not to vote on any plan until all avenues are exhausted in court.
"What I am recommending takes courage," explained Lowery.
Councilman Flinn sees it as a stall tactic. "Delaying the inevitable does not stop the inevitable and we need to go ahead and move forward."
The council's next move is now in the hands of the courts after they voted 8-3 not to take action.
Councilman Strickland fears the council's decision could cause a financial fiasco for Memphis City Schools.
- Memphis City Council decided not to vote on funding plan for MCS
- Decided to wait until courts made a decision
- One councilman calls council's handling of funding issue a "mess"
(Downtown Memphis 1/12/2010) Memphis City Schools will have to wait to get tens of millions of dollars in funding, this year, from the City of Memphis. Tuesday night the Memphis City Council voted to wait and see what the courts decide.
"We as a council made a big mess for ourselves and MCS," said Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen-Ware.
More than a year ago the council voted to pull funding from MCS. The school district sued and a judge ordered the city to pay.
Now the city has to come up with $50 million for the district.
Councilman Jim Strickland crafted the funding plan that's on the table .
$30 million from reserves. $10 million in cuts from the city. And another $10 million in cuts from MCS.
Councilman Myron Lowery is not a fan of the plan. "This solution being offered in item 27 by Mr. Strickland is a piecemeal solution."
After that criticism, Lowery threw the council a curve ball. He issued a substitute proposal, urging the council not to vote on any plan until all avenues are exhausted in court.
"What I am recommending takes courage," explained Lowery.
Councilman Flinn sees it as a stall tactic. "Delaying the inevitable does not stop the inevitable and we need to go ahead and move forward."
The council's next move is now in the hands of the courts after they voted 8-3 not to take action.
Councilman Strickland fears the council's decision could cause a financial fiasco for Memphis City Schools.
