1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,000 >> female announcer: This is a 2 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,000 production of WKNO, Memphis. 3 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,000 Production funding for "Behind 4 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:06,000 the Headlines" is made possible 5 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:08,000 in part by.. 6 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:16,000 >> Barnes: With the election 7 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,000 just a few days away, a look at 8 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:19,000 two of the more contentious 9 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,000 issues on the ballot, the local 10 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:22,000 gas tax, and the new school 11 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,000 boards tonight on "Behind the 12 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,000 Headlines." 13 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:38,000 >> (instrumental music) 14 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,000 ♪♪♪ 15 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:43,000 ♪♪♪ 16 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,000 >> Barnes: I'm Eric Barnes, 17 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,000 publisher of the Memphis Daily 18 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,000 News. 19 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:48,000 Thanks for joining us. 20 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,000 We'll look tonight first at the 21 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,000 gas tax with two people involved 22 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,000 behind the gas tax to some 23 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:55,000 extent. 24 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,000 And then later in the show we'll 25 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,000 have a couple people -- one from 26 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,000 the new Germantown school board 27 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,000 and the Unified School Board. 28 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,000 But we start tonight with John 29 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,000 Vergos -- Board Member, MATA, 30 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,000 former city councilman. 31 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:09,000 Thank you for being here. 32 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,000 >> Vergos: Good evening. 33 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,000 >> Barnes: Also, Bill Dries -- 34 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:14,000 reporter with Memphis Daily 35 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,000 News. 36 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,000 And Edmund Ford, Jr. -- City 37 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,000 councilman who I believe 38 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:20,000 originally proposed this gas 39 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,000 tax. 40 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,000 Let me start with you, 41 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:24,000 Councilman Ford. 42 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:25,000 Why a gas tax? 43 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,000 >> Ford: When you look at MATA 44 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:29,000 and 80% of those individuals who 45 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,000 use public transportation to go 46 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,000 to work or to try to find work, 47 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:34,000 there's a lot of places that we 48 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,000 can make our public 49 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:37,000 transportation better. 50 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,000 The city council has taken some 51 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,000 of this funding over time to 52 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,000 where, in turn, MATA has had to 53 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,000 cut it's services by five or 54 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,000 more percent. 55 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,000 You have over 40,000 people that 56 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,000 use the bus every single day. 57 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,000 And out of that 40,000 -- 32,000 58 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,000 of them are looking for work or 59 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,000 are going to work. 60 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:55,000 That's about 5% of our 61 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:56,000 population. 62 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,000 And you have about 84% of the 63 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,000 jobs in Memphis that take an 64 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,000 hour or longer to get there. 65 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,000 And those individuals that may 66 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,000 not have the physical means to 67 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:07,000 drive or they just may want to 68 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,000 not necessarily drive -- We 69 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,000 should have those means just 70 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:13,000 like St. Louis and like Atlanta 71 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:14,000 so that we can have as best 72 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,000 public transportation as 73 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:17,000 possible. 74 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,000 The Brookings Institute actually 75 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,000 had Memphis in the worst 30 in 76 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:22,000 public transportation. 77 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,000 Two other cities in the state, 78 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,000 Knoxville and Chattanooga, made 79 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:27,000 number three and five 80 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,000 respectively in worst public 81 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:30,000 transportation. 82 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,000 If we could actually look at a 83 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,000 designated funding source for 84 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:35,000 MATA, not only would it be good 85 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,000 for Memphis, it would be good 86 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,000 for employment and all those 87 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:40,000 other things. 88 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,000 >> Barnes: Let me bring you in 89 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,000 here. 90 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,000 You have been over the years, 91 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,000 John, a critic of MATA -- not of 92 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,000 public transportation I think, 93 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:50,000 if I can represent your views, 94 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,000 but of the way in which MATA 95 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:53,000 spent money. 96 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,000 Where do you stand on this gas 97 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,000 tax and what assurances do you 98 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:59,000 have that the money will be 99 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:00,000 spent wisely? 100 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,000 >> Vergos: I've been critical of 101 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:03,000 MATA for one reason and one 102 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,000 specific reason only and that's 103 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:07,000 been the type of routes that 104 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,000 MATA has run historically. 105 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:10,000 I had thought that they were 106 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,000 convoluted, were not simple, 107 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:13,000 were not direct. 108 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:14,000 MATA is changing that. 109 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,000 We have instituted a short-term 110 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,000 transportation that has 111 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:19,000 revolutionized the routing 112 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,000 system to a much more direct 113 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:23,000 east-west, north-south -- good 114 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,000 system which will make broader 115 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,000 coverage, less wait time, less 116 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,000 transfer time for the city of 117 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:29,000 Memphis. 118 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,000 And we can't really achieve that 119 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,000 goal because we don't have a 120 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,000 dedicated funding source and 121 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,000 this additional $3 million can 122 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:38,000 help over the hump. 123 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,000 >> Barnes: And they're -- just 124 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,000 on the basic math level, the 125 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,000 fees you pay, the fares -- That 126 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,000 doesn't cover the transportation 127 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:47,000 costs. 128 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:48,000 >> Vergos: No, it doesn't cover 129 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000 that at all. 130 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,000 And I will say this about MATA. 131 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:53,000 You said I had been a critic. 132 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,000 I think that MATA does a good 133 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,000 job with putting buses on the 134 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,000 road, getting people on those 135 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,000 buses, getting people 136 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,000 transported to and from with in 137 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,000 the confines of what they can do 138 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,000 with the financial system and 139 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,000 the financial bind that they 140 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,000 operate under. 141 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:09,000 >> Barnes: Bill? 142 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,000 >> Dries: Councilman Ford, by 143 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,000 your estimate I believe this one 144 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,000 cent local gas tax, if the 145 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,000 voters approve, will raise three 146 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,000 to six million dollars annually. 147 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,000 Obviously, that's not enough to 148 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,000 cure all of the problems or 149 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:24,000 expand to all of the areas that 150 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,000 MATA would like to expand to. 151 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,000 But what can it give us a start 152 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,000 on in terms of having that 153 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,000 annual reoccurring revenue from 154 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:33,000 MATA? 155 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,000 >> Ford: Well first of all, we 156 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,000 could look at more bus routes -- 157 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,000 Correct, John? 158 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,000 And we could look at other ways 159 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:41,000 that people could be more 160 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:42,000 accessible to MATA. 161 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,000 When you look at one cent and 162 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:46,000 from a fiscal perspective, gas 163 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,000 will fluctuate -- maybe $2, 164 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:49,000 maybe $4. 165 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:50,000 But at the end of the day, one 166 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,000 cent on an average gallon of gas 167 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,000 -- and I appreciate you giving 168 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:55,000 me this dime. 169 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,000 This is the prop that I want to 170 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:58,000 use. 171 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,000 The average person would only 172 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,000 spend this much a week if this 173 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,000 gas tax passes. 174 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,000 It would be a dime -- about one 175 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,000 and a half, two cents a day. 176 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,000 I have full confidence that the 177 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,000 MATA board will look at this and 178 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:12,000 I already know that on their 179 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,000 website they have a long list of 180 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,000 the things that they would do to 181 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:18,000 promote and to enhance public 182 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:19,000 transportation. 183 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,000 >> Barnes: To some extent, you 184 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,000 talked I think before the show 185 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,000 when we were talking, John, 186 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,000 about making MATA a system of 187 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,000 choice. 188 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,000 And it's maybe not there in the 189 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,000 sense yet of, you know, you 190 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,000 don't have a lot of people 191 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,000 abandoning their cars for MATA. 192 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,000 The perception, at least, is 193 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,000 it's more people who really 194 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,000 don't have another option. 195 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,000 I mean, is there an argument to 196 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:43,000 be made that it doesn't take a 197 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:44,000 cent for MATA? 198 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:46,000 You need a ten cent tax. 199 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,000 You need a whole lot more money 200 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:50,000 because you've got to build a 201 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,000 system that covers enough area, 202 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:53,000 has enough routes, has enough 203 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,000 frequency to draw not just 204 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,000 40,000 people in but a whole lot 205 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:58,000 more than that. 206 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,000 >> Vergos: I don't know that it 207 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,000 is as expensive as you say that 208 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:03,000 it is. 209 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:05,000 I think MATA's got two goals. 210 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,000 Number one -- We have to serve 211 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,000 our base because those are the 212 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,000 people that need it everyday. 213 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,000 And we also have to move to more 214 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,000 choice routers because I think 215 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,000 that that is good for the city 216 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,000 for the employment from an 217 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,000 energy point of view, from an 218 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,000 environmental point of view, 219 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,000 etcetera. 220 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,000 But I do want to talk about 221 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,000 specifically what MATA would 222 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:27,000 like to do with these dollars. 223 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,000 First, they want to upgrade 224 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,000 eight key quarter service routes 225 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,000 which many people see a lot of 226 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,000 empty buses but on these routes, 227 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,000 the poplar bus, the Elvis 228 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:38,000 Presley bus, etcetera. 229 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:39,000 Those buses are full. 230 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,000 They want to increase the 231 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:42,000 frequency. 232 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,000 They also want to add more 233 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,000 drivers from MATA Plus to make 234 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,000 it for people with disabilities 235 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,000 -- make the city much more 236 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:50,000 accessible for them. 237 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,000 They do want to replace a lot of 238 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,000 aging bus shelters which people 239 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,000 need if you're going to try to 240 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,000 get more people on the bus. 241 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,000 They would like to also add 242 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,000 another line to the downtown 243 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,000 trolley -- another bus to make 244 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,000 it more accessible which believe 245 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,000 it or not, it is wildly popular 246 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:08,000 and wildly successful. 247 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,000 So those are just some of the 248 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:11,000 things that MATA can do. 249 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,000 And just to comment about what 250 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,000 Councilman Ford said about the 251 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,000 penny. 252 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,000 Gas does go up and down. 253 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:19,000 It varies. 254 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,000 And people gripe about it from 255 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,000 $4, to $2, to $3.10, back down. 256 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,000 But it just surprises me that 257 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,000 the minute you decide to put one 258 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,000 a penny a gallon of tax on it, 259 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,000 people just go absolutely crazy. 260 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,000 We're in such an anti-tax mode 261 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,000 and this is such a simple, yet 262 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:35,000 beneficial. 263 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,000 >> Barnes: And part of that way 264 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,000 people go crazy is that they 265 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,000 feel like -- Well, you're asking 266 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:42,000 for that one cent tax for MATA 267 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,000 but it ends up going to X, Y, 268 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:45,000 and Z. 269 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,000 It goes to something else. 270 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,000 So what assurances do you give 271 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,000 to people who are voting on this 272 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,000 that the one cent that you pay 273 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,000 at the pump will go directly to 274 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,000 buses, trolleys, and the MATA 275 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:57,000 system? 276 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,000 >> Vergos: I think Councilman 277 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,000 Ford can probably answer that 278 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,000 question because he was one of 279 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,000 those that sponsored the 280 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:05,000 legislation. 281 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,000 >> Ford: First thing -- by state 282 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,000 law, it must go to public 283 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:10,000 transportation. 284 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,000 It can't go to a general fund. 285 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:13,000 It can't go to any other 286 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,000 services beside public 287 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,000 transportation. 288 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:17,000 Two -- We can't ask for more 289 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,000 than one penny on one particular 290 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:20,000 referendum. 291 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,000 So if this does pass, we can't 292 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:23,000 levy five cents. 293 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,000 We can't levy ten cents. 294 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,000 We can only levy one penny and 295 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:28,000 that penny has to go to public 296 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:29,000 transportation. 297 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,000 And the city council will 298 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:33,000 determine after that where the 299 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,000 money will go in that realm of 300 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,000 MATA. 301 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:37,000 >> Dries: MATA had a BRT -- a 302 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,000 bus direct route on Poplar that 303 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,000 it tried and it was taken out of 304 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:43,000 service after a year, John. 305 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,000 And there was some talk on the 306 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,000 MATA board about that it wasn't 307 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,000 adequately promoted. 308 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:50,000 With the gas tax revenue coming 309 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,000 in, is that going to change more 310 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,000 or less, do you think? 311 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000 >> Vergos: We had a lot of 312 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:56,000 discussions about that. 313 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,000 There were two issues that we 314 00:08:58,000 --> 00:08:59,000 felt did not happen. 315 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Number one -- We did not promote 316 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,000 it as well as we could and that 317 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000 does cost a little bit of money. 318 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,000 Number two -- Chooch Pickard, 319 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,000 who's on the board, was upset 320 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,000 because it wasn't called the 321 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:12,000 Poplar Avenue bus. 322 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,000 They called it the Number 22. 323 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,000 And those numbers don't mean 324 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,000 anything to people. 325 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,000 And part of our short-term 326 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,000 transportation plan is to start 327 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,000 calling routes by the streets on 328 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,000 which they run. 329 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,000 The Poplar bus will be called 330 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,000 the Poplar bus. 331 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,000 The Bellevue bus will be called 332 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,000 the Bellevue bus. 333 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,000 And I'd like to make one comment 334 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,000 about public transportation. 335 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:34,000 This has always been my vision 336 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,000 if we can move to a simpler, 337 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,000 more efficient system is that we 338 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,000 declare May 1, 2013 Memphis Bus 339 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,000 Rider Month -- the beginning of 340 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:43,000 it. 341 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,000 In the mean time, we go to the 342 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:46,000 public. 343 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,000 And we go to churches, community 344 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,000 centers, and educate them on how 345 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:51,000 they can run the best. 346 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,000 We go to the Chamber of 347 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:54,000 Commerce. 348 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:55,000 We go to City Hall. 349 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:56,000 And on May 1 of that year, 350 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,000 whatever the year is, we lock 351 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,000 City Hall parking garages down 352 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,000 and we have people on the street 353 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,000 directing people how to use the 354 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:05,000 bus. 355 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,000 And I really, truly believe it 356 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,000 is a civic venture that Memphis 357 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,000 is small enough, compact enough, 358 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,000 laid out in such a way that we 359 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,000 could really change the dynamics 360 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:16,000 of people riding the bus. 361 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,000 Let them bring their cups of 362 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:19,000 coffee on the bus. 363 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000 Let them do wi-fi. 364 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,000 Let them use their cell phone. 365 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:24,000 Let them get work done. 366 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:25,000 And I really do think a city 367 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:27,000 that can get people out of the 368 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,000 cars and on the bus and in a 369 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,000 substantial way would be a city 370 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,000 that will be looked upon as a 371 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:34,000 progressive city. 372 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:35,000 And it's also such a minimum. 373 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,000 We're not talking about subways, 374 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,000 monorails. 375 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,000 We're talking about an efficient 376 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,000 bus system and that requires 377 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,000 such a little amount of capital 378 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,000 improvement. 379 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,000 I think it's truly doable for a 380 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,000 city of Memphis' size. 381 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,000 >> Barnes: Let me ask one more 382 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:51,000 thing. 383 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,000 You mentioned wildly successful. 384 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,000 I think you were talking about 385 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:56,000 the trolley system. 386 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,000 I mean, sometimes you hear 387 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:00,000 critics say it's just a tourist 388 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,000 attraction. 389 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,000 It's not. 390 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,000 It's not really a part of public 391 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:05,000 transportation. 392 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:06,000 It's just tourist. 393 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:07,000 Is that not the case? 394 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,000 Is that a misperception by some 395 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,000 folks? 396 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,000 >> Vergos: We've worked a lot 397 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:14,000 harder on making the buses to be 398 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,000 spaced more frequently and to 399 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,000 run instead of having five buses 400 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,000 every one minute and then having 401 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,000 to wait. 402 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000 We've worked very hard to have 403 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,000 the buses spaced properly. 404 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:26,000 And Downtown Memphis is a very 405 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:27,000 linear Downtown. 406 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,000 From one end to the other is a 407 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,000 couple of miles. 408 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,000 And so it is when you're having 409 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,000 20 plus thousand of people that 410 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,000 live downtown, it actually is a 411 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,000 mode of transportation for the 412 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,000 people that work Downtown. 413 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,000 >> Barnes: You know, proponents 414 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,000 would say that once Bass Pro 415 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,000 comes in -- Whenever you think 416 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:46,000 about that project, it 417 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:47,000 eventually comes. 418 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,000 There's a whole lot more going 419 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,000 on the north end. 420 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:52,000 There's already a tremendous -- 421 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,000 You go to a Trolley Night down 422 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,000 on South Main and it's just 423 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,000 remarkable when you look at 424 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,000 where Downtown was before 425 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,000 compared to where it is now. 426 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,000 Alright -- Well, thank you both. 427 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,000 Election day is just right 428 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,000 around the corner. 429 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:07,000 Early voting is going on right 430 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:08,000 now. 431 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,000 We appreciate your time. 432 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,000 We appreciate you being here. 433 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,000 We will be right back with two 434 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,000 people involved in the municipal 435 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,000 schools, the unified school 436 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:18,000 system. 437 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:19,000 Please stay tuned. 438 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,000 We'll be right back. 439 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:30,000 >> (instrumental music) 440 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,000 ♪♪♪ 441 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:34,000 ♪♪♪ 442 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,000 >> Barnes: We move now to a 443 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,000 conversation about the schools. 444 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,000 And we are joined by Ken Hoover 445 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,000 who is running unopposed I 446 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:42,000 should say for the Germantown 447 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,000 Municipal School District. 448 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,000 Thanks for being here. 449 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,000 >> Hoover: Thanks for having me. 450 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,000 >> Barnes: Also, Chris Caldwell 451 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,000 from the now Shelby County Board 452 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,000 of Education, the Unified School 453 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,000 District as some folks call it. 454 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:56,000 Thank you for being here. 455 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,000 You just went through an 456 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,000 election some weeks ago -- a 457 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:00,000 month ago. 458 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,000 Also Eleanor Boudreau from WKNO 459 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:03,000 FM. 460 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:04,000 Thank you for being here. 461 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,000 And Bill Dries -- still here 462 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:07,000 with us. 463 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,000 It is election time and to some 464 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,000 extent, that's why we had you 465 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:12,000 here. 466 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,000 But it's a suspense's election 467 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,000 for you. 468 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,000 We can congratulate you in 469 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:17,000 advance. 470 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,000 You are running unopposed. 471 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,000 What is next? 472 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,000 There are so many hypotheticals 473 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,000 so I'll try not to frame my 474 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:24,000 questions with too many "ifs' 475 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,000 and, you know, "ifs" and "ifs." 476 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:27,000 You're running for the 477 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000 Germantown Municipal School 478 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,000 Board. 479 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,000 And yet at the same time, you've 480 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,000 got a federal case ruling 481 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,000 questions of whether these 482 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,000 school districts will be 483 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,000 allowed, what shape they'll 484 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,000 have. 485 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,000 What do you do from day one of 486 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:42,000 when you are elected with all 487 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,000 those questions hanging over 488 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,000 your head? 489 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,000 >> Hoover: The law of the land 490 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,000 is that we can form a municipal 491 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:50,000 school district. 492 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,000 We can take certain steps 493 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,000 towards the formation of a 494 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,000 municipal school district that 495 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,000 would culminate the same day 496 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,000 that the consolidation occurs or 497 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:00,000 shortly after consolidation next 498 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,000 August. 499 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,000 So yes, there is a federal court 500 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:04,000 case challenging the law of the 501 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:06,000 land but the law is the law 502 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,000 today. 503 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,000 So until Hardy Mays rules that 504 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,000 something is wrong with the law, 505 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,000 we will follow what's been 506 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:13,000 outlined. 507 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,000 So the election is November 6. 508 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,000 We'll be sworn in December 1. 509 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:18,000 And then we've got some major 510 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,000 tasks to tackle quickly. 511 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000 >> Barnes: What do you do now, 512 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,000 Chris Caldwell? 513 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,000 You're right now in charge of 514 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,000 these schools. 515 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,000 You're planning to have those 516 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,000 schools under your umbrella but 517 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,000 you've got a guy sitting next to 518 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000 you who's running to -- and 519 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,000 nothing personal -- but to take 520 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:35,000 it away from you all. 521 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,000 How do you all, your planning 522 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,000 process -- Is it two tracks at 523 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:40,000 this point? 524 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,000 That you're on the one hand, 525 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,000 planning for maybe Germantown 526 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,000 and the other municipalities 527 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,000 will be a part of it or they 528 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:47,000 wont? 529 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,000 How much does that cause trouble 530 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,000 for you all? 531 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:52,000 >> Caldwell: Well, I think the 532 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,000 first responsibility we have is 533 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,000 to make sure there's a school 534 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,000 district in place, teachers in 535 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,000 the classrooms so that we can 536 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,000 accommodate an entire district. 537 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:02,000 So if we make those plans, I 538 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,000 think, and the municipalities 539 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,000 get their districts -- I think 540 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,000 that's an easier scenario to 541 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,000 change than if we're planning on 542 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,000 them having their own school 543 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,000 districts and that doesn't 544 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:14,000 happen. 545 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,000 So we're following the TPC plan 546 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,000 and making sure that schools are 547 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,000 going to open on time because 548 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,000 that's really our responsibility 549 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:22,000 -- is to manage the entire 550 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:24,000 district until we see that the 551 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,000 district is composed of a 552 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:27,000 different set of kids. 553 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:28,000 >> Barnes: Eleanor? 554 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,000 >> Boudreau: Yeah -- I mean, you 555 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,000 said you're following the TPC 556 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,000 plan but that is sort of come in 557 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,000 to this sales tax referendum. 558 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,000 You know, there's a lot of 559 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,000 people who want more definitive 560 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:40,000 votes from the school board. 561 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:42,000 So how do you think that's 562 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:43,000 going? 563 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,000 >> Caldwell: Well, I don't think 564 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:46,000 those things are too mutually 565 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:47,000 exclusive. 566 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,000 One of the recommendations of 567 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,000 the TPC plan was for us to look 568 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:52,000 for other sources of income 569 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,000 because they left us with a $57 570 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,000 million gap because they felt 571 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000 that's as far as they could cut 572 00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,000 without encroaching on the 573 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,000 quality in the classroom. 574 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,000 So in one regard, I think we're 575 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,000 following that. 576 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,000 And at the same time, what I've 577 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:07,000 been working toward is to having 578 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,000 a more transparent budget. 579 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,000 And as a parent of three Memphis 580 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,000 City School kids, I don't want 581 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,000 to see anybody wasting a dime. 582 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,000 >> Boudreau: But it's a $57 583 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,000 million budget gap if you close 584 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,000 more than 20 schools and 585 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,000 privatize buses and janitorial 586 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,000 staff. 587 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:23,000 So it's those decisions that 588 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,000 there are members of the 589 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,000 community, including the Mayor 590 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:28,000 of Shelby County, Mark Luttrell, 591 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,000 who wants to see those decisions 592 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,000 made before the sales tax. 593 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,000 And do you have a -- How do you 594 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:35,000 feel about that? 595 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,000 >> Caldwell: I think, you know, 596 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,000 in my mind, the majority of the 597 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,000 board is working to fulfill 598 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,000 those obligations and I think 599 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,000 what you'll see -- We may not 600 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,000 implement every recommendation 601 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,000 to a tee, but we will find 602 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:48,000 savings. 603 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:49,000 We will do our best to meet the 604 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,000 gap. 605 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,000 And for instance, let me give 606 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,000 you an example of the 20 schools 607 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:55,000 closing you mentioned. 608 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,000 We closed Georgia Avenue last 609 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,000 year. 610 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,000 Until you know exactly which 611 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:01,000 schools have closed, where the 612 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:03,000 kids are going, what the 613 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,000 programmatic capacity at the 614 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,000 school that were going to, you 615 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,000 don't really know what the 616 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,000 savings are. 617 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:10,000 In the case of Georgia Avenue, 618 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,000 we had to spend $275,000 a year 619 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,000 extra to bus the kids from one 620 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,000 school to another. 621 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,000 So to make an assumption that 622 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,000 closing 20 schools translates to 623 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,000 $20 million is just a 624 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,000 guesstimate. 625 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:23,000 So I think we're all committed 626 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:24,000 to getting to the bottom line 627 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,000 but you can't just go blindly 628 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,000 and just say -- yes, yes, yes. 629 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,000 You have to look at the 630 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,000 documentation and at the true 631 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:32,000 savings because we're the ones 632 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,000 that are going to have to answer 633 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:35,000 to this. 634 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,000 And we're responsible for it. 635 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:38,000 >> Barnes: Bill? 636 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:40,000 >> Dries: Again, so you take 637 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,000 office December 1 and if there's 638 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:43,000 no ruling by then or if the 639 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,000 ruling is that the municipal 640 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,000 school districts stand, how far 641 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,000 up the list -- or is it at the 642 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,000 top of the list is picking a 643 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:51,000 Superintendant? 644 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,000 >> Hoover: I believe that's 645 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:54,000 probably number one on the list. 646 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,000 The two highest priority tasks 647 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,000 are to hire a superintendant and 648 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,000 to gain access to buildings. 649 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,000 >> Dries: And how much of a 650 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,000 framework is already in place 651 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,000 because I understand that some 652 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,000 of the city leaders in the 653 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,000 different suburban towns and 654 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,000 cities have kind of been 655 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,000 plotting this out tentatively 656 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,000 with the idea that this will 657 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,000 roll in to action after the 658 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,000 election results are certified. 659 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,000 >> Hoover: Well, I think there's 660 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,000 some -- Well, I don't think. 661 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,000 I know there's some work 662 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:22,000 underway today. 663 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,000 The city staff in Germantown and 664 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,000 the similar circumstance or 665 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,000 similar scenario on the other 666 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,000 municipalities -- The city staff 667 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:30,000 is doing some leg work. 668 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,000 They've explored office space 669 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,000 that we could lease on a 670 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,000 temporary basis to serve as a 671 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:36,000 central office. 672 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,000 They've made arrangements for 673 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,000 some search activity. 674 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,000 The idea being that on December 675 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,000 1 when we're sworn in, we will 676 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:44,000 have a list of qualified 677 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,000 candidates that we could 678 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,000 immediately begin interviewing 679 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,000 immediately after that. 680 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,000 >> Barnes: But one of the big 681 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,000 questions you just mentioned and 682 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,000 we'll come back to it with both 683 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,000 of us is the buildings and that 684 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:57,000 whole question. 685 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:58,000 And it's a question one of how 686 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,000 can they be transferred, how 687 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,000 they'd be transferred, the debt 688 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:03,000 service. 689 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,000 Is that being fairly distributed 690 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,000 among the county, the various 691 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,000 municipalities? 692 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,000 Are there conversations underway 693 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,000 that you're aware of with city 694 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,000 leaders in Germantown who are 695 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,000 trying to negotiate some plan to 696 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,000 get those buildings or is it 697 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,000 waiting on you all to go in to 698 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:19,000 office? 699 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,000 >> Hoover: I think the more 700 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:22,000 accurate answer would be that 701 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,000 the way that we would all like 702 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,000 to see this happen -- and when I 703 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:28,000 say all, I think including the 704 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:29,000 Shelby County Board of 705 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:30,000 Education. 706 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,000 The way we would all like to see 707 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,000 this happen is a negotiated 708 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:35,000 settlement, an agreement, a 709 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,000 contract that we sign between, 710 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,000 in our case the Germantown 711 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,000 School District and the Shelby 712 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:41,000 County School District. 713 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,000 There are other ways that it 714 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,000 could happen but a negotiated 715 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,000 agreement is the preferred path. 716 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:48,000 The only body that can engage in 717 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,000 the other side of that agreement 718 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,000 is the Germantown Board of 719 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,000 Education. 720 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,000 The city of Germantown can't 721 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,000 sign an agreement for buildings. 722 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,000 >> Barnes: And the other way, as 723 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,000 you talked about -- litigation 724 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,000 and legislation. 725 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:02,000 And you all talked to 726 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,000 legislatures about pushing a 727 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,000 bill that would clarify how 728 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,000 those buildings will be 729 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,000 transferred? 730 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,000 >> Hoover: I think the stance of 731 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,000 the legislature and, in 732 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,000 particular, the name sake of 733 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,000 Norris Todd -- I think their 734 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:16,000 stance would be we've laid a 735 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,000 framework. 736 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,000 We've put in place a path that 737 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:20,000 can be followed. 738 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:21,000 You guys work together, follow 739 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,000 that path, work it out. 740 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,000 Please don't come back to 741 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,000 Nashville to settle this. 742 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,000 >> Barnes: And your take from 743 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,000 your seat -- the buildings. 744 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:31,000 Is that something that you guys 745 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:32,000 have been able to talk about as 746 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,000 a school board or have you even 747 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:36,000 gotten to that item in any 748 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:37,000 depth? 749 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,000 >> Caldwell: Yes, we have a 750 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,000 facilities committee that just 751 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,000 came up with some policies. 752 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,000 I think the main concern is our 753 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:45,000 responsibility to the children. 754 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:47,000 And as Ken mentioned, I think a 755 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,000 negotiated agreement is the best 756 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,000 thing whether that includes 757 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:52,000 transferring the title. 758 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,000 The obligation of our school 759 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,000 board is to educate the kids 760 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,000 that are in Shelby County 761 00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:58,000 Schools -- the school district. 762 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,000 If that does not include kids in 763 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,000 the municipalities for a few 764 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,000 years then, naturally, they need 765 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,000 the buildings. 766 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,000 But what happens if the cost and 767 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,000 the expense of running a 768 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,000 municipality -- a municipal 769 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,000 school district is much greater 770 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,000 than they anticipated? 771 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:14,000 So they give up. 772 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,000 Where do those kids -- What do 773 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:17,000 we do? 774 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:18,000 Do they hand the buildings back 775 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,000 to us? 776 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,000 Or say they're successful and it 777 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,000 displaces kids from 778 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,000 unincorporated areas because if 779 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,000 I'm correct, I'm sure Ken knows 780 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:27,000 all the numbers exactly. 781 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:29,000 Almost half the kids in 782 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:30,000 Germantown that go to school 783 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,000 there don't reside there. 784 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:33,000 So you push the kids out that 785 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,000 are in the unincorporated areas. 786 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:37,000 It could be anywhere from 300 to 787 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,000 600 million dollars of new 788 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,000 building construction. 789 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,000 So as a board, we have to look 790 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,000 at all the ramifications of any 791 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:45,000 decisions we make. 792 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:46,000 And, you know, I'd like to think 793 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:48,000 we'll do what's in the best 794 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:49,000 interests of the kids. 795 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,000 And I don't think, you know, 796 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,000 either of us should do something 797 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,000 that would harm the other 798 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:55,000 district. 799 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:57,000 >> Barnes: What is your take? 800 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,000 You made a couple of points 801 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:00,000 there. 802 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:01,000 Let's start with the kids that 803 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:03,000 are now -- go to Germantown 804 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,000 schools but again, are in 805 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,000 unincorporated Shelby County. 806 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:07,000 Do you foresee those kids 807 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,000 getting pushed out and not 808 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,000 having a school home in 809 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:11,000 Germantown schools? 810 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,000 >> Hoover: That's a horrible 811 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:14,000 question to answer. 812 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000 So the short answer is no, I 813 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:17,000 don't foresee that. 814 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,000 The only thing that we've ever 815 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:20,000 asked for is the eight buildings 816 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,000 that are in Germantown and all 817 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,000 of the kids that currently go 818 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:25,000 there. 819 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:27,000 Now Chris pointed out that eight 820 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:28,000 years, ten years, twelve years 821 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,000 from now, the student population 822 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,000 in Germantown may grow. 823 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,000 Our goal is to create a school 824 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:35,000 district that is second to none 825 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,000 -- the best in Tennessee, one of 826 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:38,000 the best in the country. 827 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,000 That's our goal. 828 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,000 As Chris said, if we're 829 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,000 successful in that goal, will 830 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,000 that attract more students than 831 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:45,000 what we have today? 832 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,000 We have about 4,700 public 833 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,000 school students in Germantown 834 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:50,000 today. 835 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:51,000 So Chris has got a valid 836 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,000 question. 837 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,000 What happens if our student 838 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,000 population grows significantly 839 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:57,000 beyond that 4,700 students? 840 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,000 What does that mean? 841 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,000 The student population within 842 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,000 Shelby County has been shifting 843 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,000 fairly dramatically for 40 years 844 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,000 and at a reasonably steady pace 845 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,000 over that whole period of time. 846 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:09,000 We've built literally dozens of 847 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:11,000 new schools in the suburbs and 848 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:12,000 in the city and yet, our public 849 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,000 school student population is 850 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,000 roughly the same as it was in 851 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,000 1973. 852 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:18,000 So it's not a new problem. 853 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,000 >> Barnes: Last question 854 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:21,000 probably, from Eleanor. 855 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:23,000 >> Boudreau: So a lot of the 856 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:24,000 plans for the municipal school 857 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:26,000 districts involve you working 858 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,000 with the unified board and also 859 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:29,000 with the also boards of the 860 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:31,000 other municipalities and that's 861 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,000 a lot of people -- more than 30 862 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,000 people who don't all meet at the 863 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:36,000 same time. 864 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:37,000 So, you know, they have to 865 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,000 decide on money and budgets. 866 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:41,000 How do you see that going down? 867 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,000 >> Hoover: It's really not going 868 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:44,000 to be 30 plus 7 or 23. 869 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:46,000 It's not going to be 37 or 53 870 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:47,000 people trying to work things 871 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:48,000 out. 872 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,000 If you want to talk about a 873 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,000 joint services contract for 874 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,000 transportation, or for food 875 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:54,000 services, or for textbook 876 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,000 purchases, or any place that we 877 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,000 might share a service, the 878 00:23:58,000 --> 00:23:59,000 initial discussions will be 879 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,000 between staff -- staff of our 880 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,000 school district, staff of the 881 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:04,000 Shelby County school district. 882 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,000 Those staff will bring us a 883 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:07,000 recommendation. 884 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,000 Do for our part, there will be 885 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:10,000 five people who vote on it. 886 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,000 For Chris's part, there will be 887 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,000 seven people who vote on it. 888 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,000 We five won't be sitting with 889 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:17,000 those seven trying to hash this 890 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:18,000 out. 891 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:20,000 That will come up from a staff. 892 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:22,000 And those things will happen 893 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,000 easily where they make great 894 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,000 sense, whether it's a win-win 895 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,000 situation -- It's better for us 896 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,000 and better for the big district. 897 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,000 Those things won't happen so 898 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,000 easily when it's not a no- 899 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000 brainer, when it isn't less 900 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,000 clear that it's the best way to 901 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:36,000 go. 902 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:38,000 And I think that we'll find a 903 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:39,000 way on those. 904 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,000 I don't foresee that or 905 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,000 anticipate that being an issue. 906 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,000 >> Barnes: Let's get Bill in. 907 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:45,000 We do have a little bit of time 908 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:46,000 left. 909 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,000 >> Dries: How attractive do you 910 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:50,000 think the municipal school 911 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:51,000 districts are to employees in 912 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,000 the existing two school systems? 913 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,000 Is there going to be an ebb and 914 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:57,000 flow between the systems? 915 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:58,000 >> Hoover: Will we be able to 916 00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,000 hire people? 917 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:00,000 >> Dries: Yes. 918 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,000 >> Hoover: I think that's an 919 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:03,000 interesting question. 920 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,000 One of the tragedies of this 921 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,000 whole exercise, going back to 922 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:08,000 December of 2010 right up today 923 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,000 with no signs of abatement, is 924 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:12,000 the uncertainty that it has 925 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:13,000 created for the people that work 926 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:15,000 in the two school districts -- 927 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,000 that work at Shelby County 928 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:18,000 Schools and Memphis City 929 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:19,000 Schools. 930 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,000 And they have specific questions 931 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:23,000 that today don't have answers. 932 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,000 From the Shelby County School 933 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,000 unified system, there's some 934 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:27,000 unanswered questions. 935 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:29,000 The municipal systems -- We 936 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:31,000 can't answer any questions until 937 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,000 we have a board of education. 938 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,000 So a favorite is -- Are you 939 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,000 going to recognize tenure that I 940 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:37,000 earned in my home district. 941 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,000 I'll go on record predicting 942 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,000 that the answer for Germantown 943 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,000 will be -- Yes, that we will. 944 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,000 I predict that. 945 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:45,000 >> Barnes: But is that how you 946 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:46,000 would vote on it? 947 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,000 >> Hoover: I think the school 948 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:50,000 board members are told not to 949 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:51,000 pledge that they will vote a 950 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:52,000 certain way. 951 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:54,000 I just predict that that's the 952 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:55,000 outcome. 953 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,000 There's a lot of unknowns. 954 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:58,000 >> Barnes: We have a bunch more 955 00:25:58,000 --> 00:25:59,000 questions. 956 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,000 We're going to keep you guys. 957 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,000 We're going to do a web extra. 958 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:04,000 Please go to WKNO-dot-org. 959 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,000 We'll have another five or so 960 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:08,000 minutes to answer a few more 961 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:09,000 questions, ask a few more 962 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:11,000 questions, get Chris Caldwell 963 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:12,000 back in. 964 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:13,000 Thank you all for being here. 965 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,000 Thank you for joining us. 966 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:16,000 Join us again next week and 967 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,000 also, please go to WKNO-dot-org 968 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:20,000 for a web extra with more 969 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:21,000 questions, more answers on the 970 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:22,000 school situation. 971 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:26,000 Thanks -- Goodnight.