Charter surrender debate continues

To agree or disagree? Memphis City Schools wants to merge with Shelby County Schools to create the sixteenth largest school system in America. For some Memphians, it has them questioning the possibilities of a mistake.

“Shelby County isn’t equipped to handle Memphis City problems,” film teacher David Kiser said.

The problems are simple. Different starting times, different salaries for teachers, and different holidays are given. One problem is taxes. How much would they increase because of this merger?

Memphis City schools are required to wear uniforms while some Shelby County schools are not. How would this problem be solved? Education standards are different for both systems.

This merger effects kids and families as well. “As a social worker, I’m all about opportunity and equality for all students. So many kids and families are experiencing social and economic hardships,” said Prevention Specialist Shanika Moore.

According to a poll conducted by Fox 13 Memphis on Jan. 20, 44% of Memphians feel as though they are not informed enough to vote on the merger, while 42% feel satisfied with the information they are given. 14% are not going to vote on the merger at all.

Some people believe that this merger will have a positive effect on students. “I think it’ll be a wonderful opportunity for all the students in Shelby County,” math teacher Robyn Maxwell said.

According to The Commercial Appeal, the Shelby County Election Commission voted Jan. 19 to put a March 8 referendum before Memphis voters on whether to dissolve Memphis City Schools. This is expected to bring large crowds of people to express their thoughts about the possibilities of a merger.

“I think it’s a premature vote. There are too many questions to be answered by officials,” English teacher Paula McCalla said.

According to The Commercial Appeal, Gov. Bill Haslam asked Memphis and Shelby County school officials on Feb.1 to submit two plans for merging the school systems — one required by state law on protecting teachers’ rights and a broader plan that Haslam says is “common sense” and a moral imperative by Feb.15. The broader merger plan is due by March 1 just days before the March 8 referendum.

The question of whether this charter is great for us lies in the hands of the courts.

“I think the charter surrender is a political hot potato and until the final outcome is decided in either the courts or in the political arena, I think Bartlett High School will continue to go forward with the excellence that we have for our students,” Vice-Principal Jane Gatewood said.

One other positive step for Bartlett High School could come from the recent rezoning process the Shelby County School Board has initiated.

How does this policy affect Bartlett High School? Bartlett would see on average about 126 more incoming freshman in regards to this rezoning proposal. It could possibly bring about more teachers, books, and desks.

“I think the rezoning proposals are all positive for Bartlett High School. Proposal B gives us more students. Proposal C gives us more students. The idea to reduce the number of students at Arlington is good for Arlington because they are massively overcrowded due to housing trends,” Vice-Principal Jane Gatewood said.

As one looks into the future, more and more children are expected to be zoned to Bartlett High, which is great news for the Home of the Panthers. This rezoning proposal would also eliminate crowding at other Shelby County schools. A decision will be made by the Shelby County School Board some time in February 2011.

Fifteen-year veteran retires

For students and staff at Bartlett High School, summer is the most anticipated time of year, but for disciplinarian Tom Person it will be a long deserved break. After 15 years of being a member of Bartlett High School’s staff, Person is retiring.

After serving at four different high schools as an English teacher, Person came to Bartlett High School.

“My first thought about Bartlett High School was that it was a terrific school,” Person said. “I’ll miss all of the staff and the students.”

Due to a health issue, Mr. Person had to retire. “I think that despite his health issues, Mr. Person has done a great job this year,” English teacher Paula McCalla said.

Person will be missed for his great hardworking and kind manner. “Mr.Person is a wonderful gentleman, and I love his sense of humor and his engaging manner,” said Vice Principal Jane Gatewood. “He is a hardworking person and a delightful individual to be around.”

As an administrator, Person handles discipline issues and bus schedules. As a discipline administrator, “he has counseled with [students] as many times as possible trying to get them to turn themselves around with their problems,” Latin teacher Blount Smith said. “I would say that he has had a good effect to those who will take advice in a positive way.”

Also, Mr. Person has always done his best to help others.

“When he was an English teacher we were rationed paper, so he would stockpile all of his paper,” Smith said. “When he moved into his administrating position, he shared his stockpiled paper, which helped all of the English teachers.”

Although Mr. Person hasn’t entirely planned on what to do during retirement, he jokingly replied when asked what he will be doing, “sleeping in.” Many staff and students will miss Person, and they will always appreciate the terrific job he has done at Bartlett High.