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May 20, 2005 Mayor Herenton is much in the news today with his smoke and mirrors idea of consolidation and all the money it would save. He is trying to keep the voters eyes off what a lousy record he has made in his 14 year as Mayor. And lets not forget about his record as head of the Memphis School System, the worst in the state. Since this subject was much in the news today with Senator Mark Norris's plan for special school districts, I have posted below an excellent article written last year by Mr. David Pickler, Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Education. The Shelby County School System has done a much better job with less money than the Memphis School System. The article explains why consolidation is not a good idea. Click here to read why school consolidation is not a good idea. Click here to go to the Shelby County School System page to learn more about your schools   SUNSHINE OPEN RECORDS LETTER SENT TO DR JOHNSON
In a continuing effort to open up government files and records the followwing letter was sent to Dr. Carol Johnson, head of the Memphis School System. Click on the MGT of America Inc report below to see some interesting pages from the $575,000 Memphis School System recommended savings report purchased in 2003 with your tax money. March 23, 2005 Dr. Carol Johnson Memphis Board of Education 2597 Avery, Room 214 Memphis, TN 38112 Dear Dr. Johnson, As a taxpayer of the City of Memphis and Shelby County I would like to inspect the municipal documents in accordance with the Tennessee Open Records Law that contain the following specific information. 1. The records and documents that show the names, yearly salaries, birth dates, job titles, years of completed creditable service towards retirement for all employees (non bargaining unit employees and bargaining unit employees) making $60,000 per year (total compensation including overtime) or more for the period of March 1, 2004 to March 1, 2005. This would include all departments listed under the Memphis City Schools Organization Chart attached as a part of this letter. Also I want to inspect the documents and records that show the memorandum of understanding between the Memphis School System and the union or unions representing the employees. 2. The records and documents that show which of the above employees listed in item 1 receive car allowances and which receive cell phone services and the cost of car allowances and cell phone services (whether paid for by The Memphis City Schools or by some third party other than the employee) for each person who receive these benefits. 3. The records and documents that show the benefits and perks, including life and medical insurance, sick days, vacation days, bonus days, etc. that non bargaining unit employees of the Memphis City Schools get with employment by the Memphis City Schools. 4. The records and documents that show the pension ordinance or agreement under which Memphis City School employees operate. 5. The records and documents that show all consulting contracts and agreements between the Memphis City Schools and any and all consultants from January 1, 2004 to today. I want to examine the cost and payments paid or owing for these contracts during that time period. 6. The records and documents that show what action has been taken on the report by MGT of America, a Tallahassee-based educational management firm that prepared a report for the school district for $575,000. That report recommended, along with many other recommended money saving improvements, that Laidlaw was allowed to design bus routes that are paid for on a per-bus basis which they said was a conflict of interest. The report said that other vendors should be allowed to bid. Also there were other cost savings measures involving multi track use of schools, closing of schools and a new approach to new school designs involving standardized designs and more efficient use of space per pupil. 7. The records and documents that show the current contract between Laidlaw and the Memphis City School system for busing of students and the total payments made to them for the past 12 months. 8. The records and documents that show all contracts and payments made to EFS and Self Tucker Architects Inc. from 1985 to March 1, 2005 and any amount owing as of March 1, 2005. 9. The records and documents that show all contracts and payments made to O. T. Marshall PC architects from 1985 to March 1, 2005 and any amounts owing as of March 1, 2005. I trust that you will inform promptly whatever department and personnel are necessary to make these documents ready for my inspection. In accordance with the city’s policy concerning copies and cost of copies, I may want copies of some or all of the documents after inspection. Since I assume also that the documents containing the information requested should be available readily on a computer, I should like to inspect the documents on Monday, April 18, 2005 at a time on that date at the Memphis Schools Systems’s convenience. If you need additional information or have questions about this request, I am available during working hours at 754-0699. Sincerely yours, Joe Saino 6560 Kirby Forest Cove Memphis, Tennessee 38119  | MGT OF AMERICA, INC REPORT | | FIRE AND POLICE NEWS | PARK SERVICES | CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE | PUBLIC WORKS | ENGINEERING DIVISION | FINANCE DIVISION | SALARY & BENEFITS | APPOINTED CITY EMPLOYEES | MEMPHIS SCHOOL SYSTEM | RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORP | INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD | HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | MEMPHIS SHELBY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY | | Return Home | 2009 NEWS | MEMPHIS CITY GOVERNMENT NEWS | MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL NEWS | MLG&W NEWS | SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT | CONTACT US | |
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