Nashville Mayor Could Control Schools - John Dunn

FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn

Nashville’s mayor says it’s time to reform Metro schools, and that could mean a big change in leadership.

It’s the controversy that has city leaders buzzing.

Mayor Karl Dean says if schools continue to fail, he wants to take charge.

From raising money to hiring education professionals, the mayor is positioning himself for a take over.

The problem is…where does that leave the Metro School Board?

Behind the scenes of your child’s classroom a power struggle is taking shape.

"I have to be involved in education," says Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.

On one side, Mayor Karl Dean, who says if Metro school’s have a sixth consecutive year of failing test scores he wants control.

"As mayor you just can't ignore it and say this is somebody else's job because it goes to public safety, it goes to economic development and it goes to the future of our kids," says Mayor Dean.

On the other side is Metro’s school board, the nine people currently in charge.

"It has created an interesting dynamic between the mayor's office and the board of education," says Metro School Board chairman David Fox.

Mayor Dean is so serious about the idea he even traveled to New York this week to meet with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Bloomberg has taken over New York City’s public schools.

"And I think we need to continue looking at areas where we can reform and areas where we can bring in innovation," says Mayor Dean.

The divide extends to the search for a new school director.

The board is interviewing candidates this weekend, but Dean would prefer an interim director in that position until test scores are released.

School Board chairman David Fox isn’t comfortable with what he calls the Mayor’s unilateral approach.

"I believe it is in the interest of the students for all parties, the mayor and the school board, to work collaboratively to make sure we are pushing in the same direction," says Fox.

Next week the school board will consider hiring outside legal council because of its concern that Metro’s attorneys are providing advice to both the Mayor and the Board.

Mayor Dean says he doesn’t apologize for taking a bold approach to education.

"I don't want to be threatening but at the same time, there's going to be a little bit of a tension, but we're working for the same thing, I hope, which is for the good of our kids and for the good of our city," says Mayor Dean.

Metro’s “No Child Left Behind” test scores will be released in August.

If the school system fails to make progress, Mayor Dean says he will petition the state to give him the authority to run the district, and hire his own Director of Schools.
Nashville Mayor Could Control Schools - John Dunn