Memphis Political Action Committee for Education

 

126 Flicker  *  Memphis, TN 38104  *  (901) 454-0966 ext. 45  *  Fax: (901) 454-9979

Please type your answers

Mayoral Candidates

2011 QUESTIONNAIRE A C Wharton, Jr.

Candidate Name

USE THE SPACE PROVIDED TO EXPRESS YOUR POSITION

ON EACH OF THE IDENTIFIED ISSUES

1.      A.     Why are you pursuing the position as Mayor? I have spent my life working on behalf of our community’s most neglected and disadvantaged, ranging from my experience providing legal services to the poor as Director of Memphis Area Legal Services, to representing citizens of Shelby County as the governments Public Defender, to making serious progress on economic development, affordable housing, crime reduction and environmental sustainability as the Shelby County Mayor and the Mayor of Memphis. I believe that over the last two years my administration has inspired and produced the most dramatic results in the history of our city. Memphis is moving in the right direction with a new sense of purpose. I am asking for a full four-year term to continue this work on behalf of the people of our great city.

 

B.        Why do you believe you are qualified to run for Mayor? My experience as the mayor of Memphis and previously as the mayor of Shelby County uniquely prepares me to lead Memphis and gives me an intimate knowledge of government in all its complexities, from policy to budget, from citizen engagement to more efficient government, from personnel management to strategic planning.  I know how to make government more efficient and transparent, to give more people a voice in the affairs of government, and to identify the issues that matter most to Memphis’ future.  From my experience, my knowledge of government, my part in national conversations about cities, and my discussions with countless Memphians in every neighborhood, I know our city’s needs and challenges and I have a clear vision for our city and have an agenda which is under way to achieve it.

 

2.      Do/did your children/grandchildren and/or you attend public schools?   X  Yes q  No q  Some Comment: I attended public schools in Lebanon, Tennessee. My children attended both public and Catholic schools here in Memphis. My grandson attends Peabody Elementary.

 

3.      Would you support adequate funding for Memphis City Schools?

X   Yes q  No Explain: Yes. I have shown that I am willing to support funding Memphis City Schools. A testament to this fact is that after taking office in December 2009 I, against political advice, went to the City Council and sought the restoration of the portion of the tax rate that had been taken from MCS.

In my capacity as Mayor, I still have to take into consideration all aspects of the City budget and make decisions based on available revenue.

 

 

1. What is your recent experience with public schools and/or public school students? My most recent experience working with public schools has been developing a funding plan to insure that Memphis City Schools opened on time this year. I will continue to work towards finding funding solutions to support public education. One program that I’m proud of that we started under my administration is the Fellows and Youth Ambassadors program that teaches students responsibility and job expectations.

Additionally, I am proud to have entered into a memorandum of common purpose with Supt. Kriner Cash pursuant into which we have resolved to work together in areas of mutual interest for the betterment of Memphis City Schools. Also, I was proud to have brokered an agreement which solved the contentious issue of whether Memphis City Schools needed a special police department.

 

While County Mayor rather than allow the County to take a windfall as a result of property reappraisal, I chose to grant full funding to MSC.

 

5.      A.  If you are now Mayor have you voted in favor of the Memphis City Schools budget and funding for the last 4 years? As Mayor, I do not have a vote when it comes to funding education, the legislative body, votes on the budget. I have proven that I am a supporter of public education and have worked towards finding funding to support Memphis City Schools. I continue to look for ways from a budgeting and revenue standpoint to support public education.

 

B.  How would you base your decisions on funding for the Memphis City Schools? I would base my decision on school funding on the needs of Memphis City Schools and the revenue the City of Memphis can actually appropriate for schools. As Mayor I have to take into consideration all of the other budgetary requirements and present a budget to the City Council for funding. Public education is one of the most important issues facing our city. I have an obligation as the leader of this city to be engaged in the school funding issue. As recent as two weeks ago, I took the lead in negotiating a payment plan to insure that Memphis City Schools opened on time. I was not the City Mayor when the decision was made to cut funding to MCS. I was the County Mayor. I would like to believe that through my governance as Mayor of Memphis that  I have shown that I am a supporter of Memphis City Schools.

6.      How would you establish/maintain an open relationship with MEA on funding and other education issues? I have always made myself available for open and meaningful dialogue with  MEA leaders and members and will continue to keep those relationships viable when elected as mayor for a full four-year term.

 

Additionally, pursuant to a commitment I made during my last campaign, I created the office of Human Capital and Talent, now headed by Dr. Douglas Scarbo, he serves as a permanent liaison with MCS. I am expanding that relationship through our Strong Cities, Strong Communities involvement by including education as a focus area.

 

7.      How do you think Memphis City Schools could be improved? As teachers in the classrooms everyday, you have a better idea of what should be improved in Memphis City Schools. Yet, I must acknowledge that based on MCS’s reported test schools we have some opportunities for improvement. I look to Supt. Cash, MCS Board of Commissioners and MEA to develop solutions to the current challenges that exist in the school system and to let your city government know how we might be a part of the solution.

 

8.      Would you support additional funding to raise Memphis City Schools’ teacher and ESP salaries? X   Yes    q  No   Yes.  In Memphis City government this year, we laid-off employees, reduced salaries by 4.6% in an economic environment where unemployment in Memphis is higher than any other urban area in the state of Tennessee. I could be supportive of raises during the right economic climate.

 

9.      Does the city have any responsibility for funding the public education of the children of Memphis? X  Yes    q  No       Yes. The citizens of Memphis who own and pay property taxes, pay city and county taxes with a portion of the revenue allocated for Memphis City Schools. Based on the recent court rulings, Memphis will still be responsible for financially supporting MCS until the schools merger. At that point, Memphis may not have a legal responsibility to fund MCS. Not withstanding that fact, I am of the firm conviction that the destiny of the city of Memphis is inextricably bound- up with the destiny of the students of MCS and based on that conviction it is only common sense that the City of Memphis should continue to contribute financially to the educational welfare of their children.

 

In this context I return to my basic observation that we often confuse “education” with “ schooling” meaning Memphis City Schools as a corporate entity.  The fact of the matter is that just is much, if not more, “education” takes place even before the child reaches “schooling” age.  Based on this premise the city has a practical imperative and a moral obligation to see that the early childhood needs of our children are addressed on a universal basis.

 

10.   Would you be willing to fund additional compensation for National Board Certified teachers? X   Yes    q  No   Yes. I would be willing to support additional compensation for National Board Certified teachers in the right economic climate.

 

1. Should the City of Memphis pay for the police related to MCS? X   Yes    q  No

Yes. Making sure that our schools are safe and secure is important to having an environment conducive to learning. A major part of the City budget is police officers, a number of whom are assigned to Memphis City Schools.

1. What are your thoughts on the consolidation of city and county schools? I am supportive of the merger of the two school systems and it looks like based on the recent court decision that the unification process will occur. I believe that this merger will strengthen our schools regionally, giving urban and suburban students the same opportunities to learn and achieve.

13.       What is the greatest strength and greatest weakness of Memphis City Schools?

The greatest strengths include the primary assets, the teachers and other employees that are in the    classroom everyday teaching our children and the other workers who make sure our schools are clean and our children are provided for while in the care of MCS. Another strength is our students who come to school everyday, some with major socio-economic challenges, wanting to learn and achieve. The Race to the Top funding and The Gates Foundation grants have also elevated our national profile on the education front.

 

A weakness is the perception, and perhaps a reality, that schools located in poor physical environments are by nature poor in education quality. While MCS is not to blame for this perception, it is indeed a weakness in which I am addressing by removing blight from all of our neighborhoods and building amenities that enrich the quality of life in all areas. Another weakness grows out of the cities failure to ensure that there is quality early childhood/day care facilities in all neighborhoods thereby creating a situation in which children of poorer neighborhoods begin the formal “schooling” process with a serious deficit.

 

14.       What other groups or individuals have endorsed or supported your campaign?  Include a key person and their contact data; M-PACE may contact that group or individual concerning your candidacy. Some elected officials and citizens who have endorsed my candidacy include: City Council Chairman Myron Lowery, Councilman Harold Collins, Councilman Reid Hedgepeth, County Commission Chairman Sidney Chism, Rep. GA Hardaway, School Board Member Tomeka Hart, Lois Stockton, Bobbi Gillis and others.

 

15.    What is your current occupation? Mayor of Memphis

 

16.    Your contact information:

Address: 1460 Union Ave., Memphis, TN   Zip Code:38104

Preferred Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone(s):    Work: 901-725-1664 Cell: 901-570-1569

________________________________                     _________8/12/2011__________________

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MEA ATTN: Susanne Jackson, FAX 454-9979

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 126 Flicker Street, Memphis, TN 38104