Elected officials from the Mid-South are meeting on campus Monday to discuss the importance of education in the troubled economy.
"The Economic Opportunity Begins with Education" public forum will meet from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Fogelman Auditorium. The forum is sponsored by the Tennessee and Shelby County Republican Parties.
Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and other confirmed panelists include: state Sens. Dolores Gresham and Paul Stanley, state Rep. Jim Coley, Memphis City School Superintendent Kriner Cash, Shelby County School Board member Diane George and Dwight Montgomery, the president of the Memphis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Also invited are Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton and Shelby County Superintendent Bobby Webb.
"I think that no matter how bad the economy gets, education should remain the utmost priority," said Cory Higdon, president of The University of Memphis College Republicans. "We can't lose sight of it. We can't decide to start cutting education. It's a testament of people not caring. It's what forms society. We have to keep it a priority."
Robin Smith, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, said having a skilled, educated workforce is one of the basic elements that drive a good economy.
People often think of public policy on a more federal level, overlook, the local aspects, she said.
"(The Federal policy) is also important, but so are local and state level policies, particularly in education," Smith said. "They think (the money) is somewhere distant in the state capital."
In the city of Memphis, there are two education systems: Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. There are 209 schools with 110,000 students in the MCS system with approximately. In the SCS system, there are 48,000 students in 51 schools.
Stanley, senate commerce committee chairman, said Memphis schools are struggling.
"If you look at test scores and graduation rates, we're not there," Stanley said. "Everyone is throwing money at the issue, but we're not seeing the results we expect."
Approximately 70 percent of state funding goes to the MCS system because more students attend city schools. The remaining 30 percent goes to the SCS system.
Stanley said he thinks "The Economic Opportunity Begins with Education" forum can stir up discussion to put MCS and SCS on the right track.
"You can't solve the world's problems in an hour or two, but you can create conversation and break socioeconomic barriers and racial issues," Stanley said. "Its what holds Memphis and Shelby County back."
The goal of the forum is to find an idea that transcends politics and adds to citizens' quality of life, Smith said.
Smith said planning for the forum began in November, when Memphians expressed a desire to see the city grow stronger through education.
"The program deals with education in the state," Higdon said. "The whole point of going to the event is to be connected with the community. "
President Barack Obama's bailout plan was the forum's original topic, but the Tennessee State Republican Party decided to focus on education after hearing citizens' concerns.
"Without education, our society cannot remain strong," Higdon said. "We eventually get old and die. We have to have educated generations to continue after us."
The panel may be sponsored by the Republican Party, but the event is intended for all political views, Higdon said.
"There's been a lot of fear with people because it's sponsored by the Republican Party," he said. "Some worry that it may be a party bashing. It is a completely non-partisan event."
The event is free and open to the public. Those who plan on attending are asked to bring a "classroom item," such as a USB drive or copier paper, which will be donated to the city and county schools.
To confirm attendance, send a message to chairman@tngop.org or visit http://economicopportunityforum.eventbrite.com.
