School Unity – Media Coverage

Chronicling the media coverage of the current MCS Charter referendum.

Wednesday, February 16 – Thursday, February 17th, 2011 – Early voting continues, Wharton’s consistency questioned, Kyle and others start the repeal movement, Zack talks about big boards, and Tri-State says vote yes.

Sunday, February 13th – Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 – Early voting begins, lots of governments involved, and the County Commission starts accepting applications for the unified board.

Friday, February 11th – Saturday February 12th, 2011 – SCS files a Federal lawsuit.

Thursday, February 10th, 2011 – The 30% doctrine.

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 – The State House prepares to consider SB0025, amendments are readied, City Council prepares to meet yet again.

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 – Preparations are underway for the ultimate passage of SB0025, raising lots of legal questions.

Saturday, February 5th – Monday, February 7th, 2011 – SB0025 passes the State Senate.

Friday, February 4th, 2011 – Lots of Town Halls and I’m glad about the interest, seven is a magic number in Memphis, and the changes in the bill enhance one side at the expense of the other.

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 – Norris’ bill moves through the House, the Memphis City Council waits it out, and State Sen. Andy Berke stands up big time.

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 – Norris talks “enhanced self-determination”, which leaves one to question whose self-determination is being enhanced, and the Memphis City Council reacts.

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 – MCS Commissioner Mallott voices support for the charter referendum, Haslam sends a letter, and Norris amends his bill.

Saturday, January 29th – Monday January 31st, 2011 – High School students debate the charter referendum and the City Council prepares to act.

Friday, January 28th, 2011 – Video of community meetings, SCS gets a Charter School and State Sen. Marrero speaks out against state attempts to stop the vote.

Thursday, January 27th, 2011 – MCS Superintendent talks about the real problem facing the City school system, economic segregation.

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 – Media slowdown in the run-up to a series of community meetings.

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 – The first of several debates and forums. Looks like community involvement is on the upswing.

Saturday, January 22nd – Monday January 24th, 2011 – Whalum doesn’t believe Bill Gates, Roland makes the same accusation again and Jeff Warren is desperately seeking compromise.

Friday, January 21st, 2011 – Going into the weekend, it looks like some loose ends are getting tied up, and others are starting to get worked through. Gates reaffirms their dedication to Memphis students, the DA investigates, Hoover wants a Germantown district, and the future of a unified Shelby County School Board is debated.

Thursday, January 20th, 2011 – A calm falls over the issue, and a voice of reason, on the Shelby County Schools side emerges.

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 – Election Commission sets up March 8th for election. People start talking about big school boards and Chancellor systems.

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 – The day that ended with a whimper. MCS School Board decides against compromise and more.

Saturday, January 15th – Monday January 17th, 2011 – A forum, a look back, an endorsement from an unlikely politician, and a whole lotta meetings coming this week.

Friday, January 14th, 2011 – Compromise is the word of the day. The quote of the day again goes to City Councilman Shea Flinn. Betty Mallot as Lady Gaga? Really?

Thursday, January 13th, 2011 – Confusion reigns supreme as the issue takes more turns than a lost tourist. There’s a “compromise” on the table, legislation, and an election date to be set. All of these issues run contrary to each other, which just makes it more confusing.

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 – Sen. Norris’ bill starts moving, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton speaks out, and a lawsuit is filed.

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 – Lots of balls in the air as the State Legislature is about to begin session. With every new ball comes another level of potential confusion for voters and observers alike.

Saturday, January 8th through Monday, January 10th, 2011 – Slow news weekend, thankfully. The State Attorney General comes out with an opinion and the local NAACP has an endorsement.

Friday, January 7th, 2011 – Supporters of the referendum rally downtown.

Thursday, January 6th, 2011 – The state of the election is still in question, the mayors speak, and Shelby County Schools is told to get ready for a transition.

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 – Election delayed and Herenton speaks!

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 – Memphis and Shelby County Mayors hold a presser, Herenton weights in, and opinions from the state are sought.

Monday, January 3rd, 2011 – A new member of the MCS School Board is sworn in, and Shelby County School Board President, David Pickler sounds a warning.

The holiday lull – Not a whole lot happening between Christmas and New Years.

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 – Minutes approved, opponents revealed, and a possible Arlington school district.

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 – Question, questions, questions in the wake of Monday’s vote.

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 – It begins…

Please note, all media summaries from before 1/12/11 are backdated posts I wrote on January 14th and 15th, 2011 to help show the events of each day. Because of this, the summaries may not reflect the actual thinking at the time of the media reports.