Thanks again,

Pat Lynch

Here’s my response to your questions. People like Mr. Ritz who want to talk cost, cost, cost are not NOT worried about municipal taxpayers. They are trying to weaken support for municipal schools.

The new retirement communities are an asset to Germantown. Retirees are not a good target market for the thousands of 3,4, and 5 bedroom homes in Germantown. A healthy Germantown MUST be an attractive choice for families. THE top priority for families is good schools.

It is ironic that people intuitively equate education spending to education quality. Across Tennessee and America, there is ZERO correlation between spending and student test scores. If spending was the answer, Washington DC would be one of the top performing school districts in the country; they spend over $20,000 per pupil. Excellence in public education is not measured by per pupil expenditures.

If you want the least expensive set of public services available, unincorporated Shelby County is a better choice than Germantown. If you want the highest return possible on public spending, Germantown is the place for you. Germantown has a long track record of managing public money well.

If you want to pass control of 1/2 of all local public spending to Memphis, vote no on August 2nd. If you want the same level of efficiency and accountability in school spending that we currently see in our other city services, vote yes.

I’m interested in knowing your opinion about Tom Allen’s comments at the latest Collierville Board of Alderman meeting concerning a recent conversation with the Tennessee School Superintendents. The superintendents believe that $10,000 per student will be necessary after the first year. This would greatly affect property taxes.

In addition, I understand many on this site say they will pay anything for municipals schools but there may come a point when high taxes will deter new residents, especially those senior adults with fixed incomes. Germantown is becoming a very popular destination for retirees. This is evident by the numerous retirement communities that exist and those currently being built. It would be detrimental to the city and the municipal school system for those buildings to be vacated. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

How exactly is allowing municipal school districts devastating? If you can provide some facts, I’d be interested in hearing them.

Mr. Hoover has provided numerous facts stating that smaller school systems are better for education. What facts do you have supporting your statement that municipal school systems will decimate public schooling?

I grew up in a municipal school system in NC that was one of the best in the country, and the education I got certainly was not what you suggest.

Just FYI. And thanks for setting up this blog.

You should really be ashamed of yourself.

If the lifting of the ban on munis is deemed lawful statewide, it will have a devastating affect on the public school system(s) of the state. The ladies and gentlemen who represent those areas outside of Memphis and Shelby County know that, Mr. Hoover. Do you?

Why do you think this was rolled for a good week? For Germantown’s benefit? For Bartlett’s benefit? Nah. For the state’s benefit, Mr. Hoover.

Think past your own self on this issue. Can you do that? I bet you could if you try. No one will vote for that which could literally decimate public schooling in the state of Tennessee for Shelby County’s benefit. Are you mad?

You haven’t the schooling or even the right to pontificate upon what you deem best for the state of Tennessee when it comes to public schooling, Mr. Hoover. You just don’t. Get a handle on yourself.

One clarification: the phone number listed for Rep. Richard Montgomery is his home number. Instead, call 800-449-8366 x 15981.