Local elected officials who understand the importance of investing in education are standing together to increase funding for schools in Shelby County by supporting a half-cent sales tax referendum appearing on the November ballot. The leaders collectively agree that the additional funds are needed to ensure that the schools of Shelby County have the resources they need to offer a world-class education. In a news conference today, leaders shared their commitment to supporting the referendum and working together to benefit all the school children in Shelby County.
Although the City of Memphis will no longer be mandated by the state to fund education, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has said that the education of all children is a prerequisite and moral responsibility shared by everyone. He is particularly concerned about making sure that all children in Memphis and Shelby County have access to quality Pre-K.
“All the experts will tell you that Pre-K is critical when it comes to a child developing the skills needed to succeed in school and later in life,” said Mayor Wharton.”That’s the reason we are urging the citizens of Memphis to support this referendum and the Shelby County Unified School Board to allocate a portion of the funding for Pre-K.”
The Shelby County Commission approved asking the voters in Memphis, Millington and unincorporated Shelby County if they would support a half-cent sales tax increase in the form of a referendum. The question will appear as the first referendum on the November 6th ballot.
Shelby County Commission Chairman Mike Ritz believes when the county becomes the single funding source locally for schools, these funds will desperately be needed to address the shortfall in the budget for the Unified School System resulting from the merger and improving education quality overall through proposed efforts like extending Pre-K to all children.
“It is Shelby County’s responsibility to fund education, and we are limited in how we can generate funds to support our citizens outside of the sales tax and property tax,” said Ritz. “This half-cent sales tax will provide $30 million dollars to our schools and help with the education of our children. If this does not pass, we will have very few other options to fund education outside of the property tax.”
The Shelby County Unified School Board is in the process of preparing for next year’s transition and needs a fully funded budget. “Today’s announcement gives me hope that if the citizens of Memphis vote to pass this referendum our children will be provided with the essential needs required to obtain the quality education that they deserve,” said Patrice Robinson, Shelby County Unified School Board Member.
Key Points:
- Current sales tax 2.25 increasing to 2.75 (1/2 cent)
- 50% of the sales revenue will go to schools ($30.3 million dollars)
- A $14-$17 return on every dollar invested in early childhood education
Early Voting begins October 17 through November 1, 2012. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
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