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VOL. 126 | NO. 13 | Thursday, January 20, 2011
March 8 Set for Schools Election
By Bill Dries
With no discussion, the Shelby County Election Commission has set March 8 as the date for a special citywide election on the Memphis City Schools charter surrender.
The date is the same day as the general election in Raleigh and North Memphis for the state House district 98 seat.
Election Commission chairman Bill Giannini said putting the two elections together means the state of Tennessee will pay $50,000 of the estimated $1 million cost for the referendum. The rest will be paid by MCS according to state law.
Early voting in advance of the election day will be Feb.16 through March 3 at 16 sites across the city.
The Election Commission set the date after state Elections Coordinator Mark Goins changed an earlier legal opinion and instructed the commission to schedule the election.
Giannini said Wednesday’s decision by the Election Commission means the only thing that could stop the election would be a court order.
Even in the unlikely event that the MCS board decided to rescind its move for a charter surrender and consolidation with the Shelby County Schools system that would result, Giannini said a declaratory judgment from a court would be needed to call off the election.