The unofficial count is in and the will of the people has been determined. Bartlett voters overwhelmingly approve the creation of a city school system.
According to the Shelby County Election Commission, the referendum to create a municipal school system was supported by more than 80 percent of Bartlett voters. A half-cent sales tax increase also won strong approval from Bartlett voters, and will allow the city to cover its portion of the school district’s operating expenses.
Voter turnout was a modest 21.6 percent across Shelby County, but this represented a 44 percent increase in turnout from the August 2008 election.
We’re thankful for the public servants who worked so hard to allow this election to take place, and those who publicly expressed their support for Bartlett schools from the very beginning. Now our task is to elect an outstanding school board in November, and work hard to reward the confidence of the 80 percent who supported Bartlett schools, as well as earn the trust of the remaining 20 percent who voted against the referendum.
Our thanks go to the hundreds of generous donors and excellent volunteers who helped us create and distribute 10,000 mail pieces and 1,500 yard signs. We’d like to offer a special note of thanks to our friends at First Bank, who made a financial donation that helped us reach our fundraising goal.
Without a doubt, this was a community-wide effort, and this issue brought us closer together as a city. We are convinced Bartlett’s best days are still to come, and we will continue to work on behalf of this great community and the future generations who will live and work here. Together we will build strong schools, help businesses grow and thrive, and ensure Bartlett continues to be a safe and friendly home to children and families.
I want to thank the volunteers who were the “backbone” of this effort. Many of you spent countless hours and evenings away from your family to ensure our community understood the issues. We are blessed to live in Bartlett, with excellent political and civic leaders.
HALFWAY THERE…..Great election results. BUT-I spoke with several folks in my neighborhood (generally empty-nest types & retirees-a demographic of which I am NEWLY a member). The recurring concern was, “…But our taxes will go up!”
To which I respond; “YES-more than likely.” I would point out, however-that we get what we pay for, and nothing is free-an ideal our parents & grandparents tried to teach us. Quality education costs money. So do quality municipal services. My family has lived all over the U.S. (and the world), and I can readily attest that nowhere has our money been as carefully and prudently spent as in the city of Bartlett. These city services are unsurpassed, in our opinion; and I have no reason NOT to assume the school system will be administered in the same judicious manner. If I could get my money’s worth in other areas of life as well as I do from our city hall, I’d be well-pleased. So I say, “Let’s trust our elected officials-they HAVE established their credibility with the purse strings better than anyplace I’ve seen. ” Many of my neighbors are transplants from other places, and when I point this fiscal efficiency out, they have all conceded that fact. Suggest each of us keeps talking it up-this is an investment the entire community will benefit from for a long time. Thanks.
There are 2 possibilities: (1) Bartlett starts its own school district, and Bartlett property values go up as a result, (2) Bartlett schools become part of the massive unified system, and Bartlett property values go down as a result. There are no other possible outcomes. So when you talk to a Bartlett resident who claims to be against a Bartlett school district, educate them on the basic economics of this situation. Also, anyone who thinks the crooks in Memphis are done trying to consolidate government and destroy the independence of the smaller Shelby County municipalities is a fool. The people who ran Memphis into the gutter are salivating at the thought of destroying Bartlett, Germantown, and the other small cities in Shelby County.
I’m so glad we were able to have this time to put our foot down and put a road block up against Memphis. This had NOTHING to do with the children from Memphis going to our schools…. It was to stop Memphis from bullying their way into our school system and draining our pockets to fund their outrageous debt they have accrued. They need more money and want to take it from our children’s education. ENOUGH already MEMPHIS!!!!! Get yourself out of debt and leave our children’s education alone.
What happens if Memphis wins? ….. What happens when they make our school system go broke by taking over? Who will they bully next. GO AWAY MEMPHIS… It’s obvious we don’t want any part of your unethical money managing.