… By a dumb blogger. Sorry. Left the title open when I couldn’t think of one. Then I proof read the whole post forgetting to decide on a title. I’m just fine. It’s the rest of the world that’s messed up.

The local news is reporting on the potential for the state to assume control of the Shelby County school system.

As an observer for nearly half a century, I have a perspective to share. While those in may choose to disregard my input, I will provide a mostly objective opinion on the matter.

As the world bid farewell to Elvis, my wife and I made the decision to leave Memphis behind. We were fortunate to have the opportunity, which many others did not. If it were possible for people to glimpse into the future, I believe more would have followed a similar path to ours.

Since that time, the Memphis City schools did nothing but get worse. That is not an opinion. In light of the numbers, it cannot be denied. Moreover, it was recognized by many Memphians who sent their children south to DeSoto County, illegally. We here south of the state line helped to pay for the education of Memphis kids. It’s not right and it’s not legal. Worse, Memphis City schools still could not educate their remaining students adequately. You don’t believe me? Look at the numbers.

Even more important, look at the effective admission of the school district itself. They realized it wasn’t any good, so they dissolved it. That one is easy to verify. It was just a few years ago. However, it didn’t work, no surprise.

Effectively, what happened was that the county system became the city system, even to the point of including the city name in the new name. The county system was one of the best in the state. Now that the city has taken control, it is one of the worst, perhaps the worst.

That is why the state is attempting to take control of the county system.

Now, oddly, those in control of the county system are fighting the takeover tooth and nail. This only really makes sense if they do not want to lose their power or want to maintain poor education.

Well, there is another consideration. They might not want to have egg on their face when everyone finds out the problem is with those in charge and not the students.

Then too, when the state takes over, there is bound to be a big shakeup in personnel starting at the top. That might explain the hesitation in turning things over to the state.

In the long run, the state might even turn things over to private schools. If that happens, Desoto students might just start sneaking into Shelby County schools.

Now, wouldn’t that be a delightful PR disaster for the current school board and superintendent? And, by the way, it would really give the dems a lovely shiner as well, wouldn’t it?