Mediator to Resolve School Funding Issue (TN)

November 24, 2010

In Education Matters, the Memphis city council met and voted to pursue amediator to resolve the ongoing dispute with Memphis City Schools.

A judge ruled that the city of Memphis owes the school district $57 millionthat was withheld more than two years ago.

The city hopes a mediator will help work out how that money is paid back.

Councilman Jim Strickland says a mediator will be much cheaper than hashing itout in court.

The mediator would also work on the city’s countersuit that says the schoolsystem owes taxpayers more than $160 million.

&quo t;It has not been ruled upon by the judge, it has not been appealed, youcould be another two years to decide that. Mediation is a quicker and cheaperway to resolve legal disputes," said Strictland.

The mediator would also have to be accepted by attorneys with Memphis CitySchools.

MCS leaders had no comment on the matter.