What’s Next In School Formation?

(Collierville) The citizens of the 6 municipalities have had their say so what’s next in the step to them getting their own school districts.

The school issue got overwhelming support but the voters decisions are only as good as a federal judge says they are.

Judge Samuel “Hardy” Mays is slated to take up the legality of the vote in a hearing slated for Sept 4 and 5th.

People planning for these districts are well aware he could stop all of this by declaring it unconstitutional.

Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner said, “He said he would have no qualms whatsoever of voiding that part of the election so I take him at his word.”

Joyner helped host a luncheon for 300 teachers who work in the 8 schools located in his city.

If he gets his way, his administration will have even more say about education of kids in the area, but he knows a lawsuit filed by the Shelby County Commission could stop that.

The immediate focus is preparing for that.

“Something that’s taking a lot of the city’s time is providing all the evidence for the hearing that’s coming up,” said Joyner.

Collierville Veterinarian Carr Kelsey helped start the schools campaign.

Now he’s Preparing for a run for one of the 5 seats on the new Collierville city school board, “I  do plan on filing on Monday and we’re excited to try to get a good school board here. I think that’s the message that Collierville residents believe, that Colllierville folks can run a great school system.”

The judge could stop almost everything in its track except one thing.

The sales tax increase that citizens voted for to fund the schools has nothing to do with the judge’s decision.

The question for suburban mayors like Joyner is what will happen to that estimated $3.9 million extra the city will collect if municipal schools are not allowed?

“I anticipate that the will of the board might be to revisit that and if we have to and pass an ordinance that would lower that sales tax,” said Joyner.

The board of aldermen could agree to rescind the ordinance but there is nothing that says couldn’t keep collecting it and put it to other use.

The cities start collecting that sales tax increase through retail businesses 30 days after the election commission certifies the election.

Millington was the only city to vote down the sales tax increase.