Shelby County board against charter moratorium

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Shelby County's school board has struck down a proposal for a two-year moratorium on new charter schools.

The Commercial Appeal reports the board voted 5-2 on Tuesday to defeat the proposal from board member David Pickler.

Pickler wanted the board to press the governor and legislators to stop the rise of charter schools in the county. Pickler, who is president of the National School Board Association, argued that the cost of supporting charter schools hurts the board's ability to educate its students.

Pickler has suggested the board unite with other Tennessee cities and the state school board association to pursue legal recourse against the state for what Pickler says are outdated laws.

Nashville's metro council proposed a charter moratorium this summer but dropped it when it met opposition.