Cash Should Be King

The last time we had a drama free superintendent in Memphis was probably John P. Freeman. He also was the last white one as well. First black we had was Willie Herenton. He was a hometown boy who made good. Early in his career, blacks  weren't comfortable complaining  yet. The Ford family controlled the black vote during that time. As soon as he got elected, he distanced himself from them. They had their share of haters. Herenton was a charter member. He left the superintendents job in the midst of a scandal. He had a problem  with  the ladies and lawsuits. Even though he was highly educated.

That brought in the hunt for credentials. Twenty-five years in the system and a Masters degree from Memphis State wasn't enough anymore. You had to have a PHD from Dartmouth College and be turning down a job somewhere else. Unless of course you're white. They also had to have someone who could deal with the women on the board, which proved to be of major importance later. Willie Herenton got in trouble with the ladies and lawsuits. That introduced Memphis to the national search. Which brought us Gerry House. She was a female with more education than everyone else, plus she got along with the mayor. She stayed here longer than anyone else to date. Then she suddenly left.

In a move to reward years of service and familiarity. We hired from within and that brought us Johnnie B. Watson.  He couldn't handle the women on the school board. They did more press conferences than he did. For three years Sara Lewis ran the schools, or at least the superintendent. He didn't have enough bass in his voice. Taking charge was not his strong suit. You can't lead from behind. Fortunately he retired and took a less high profile position. He is president of local HBCU (habitually broke colleges and universities) Lemoyne Owen University. A private school  without an endowment. Which essentially makes him a fundraiser  with a title. They wanted someone to maintain  the status-quo.  He is ideal for the job.

Then came Dr. Carol Johnson with NCLB. That was a pipe dream from the start. There is no way every child is college bound. That was just a waste of time. She set us back thirty years in three. She removed the paddle and replaced it with Ritalin. Now we have a group of zombies dropping out of school or receiving certificates instead of diplomas. All the children who didn't excel in school or had discipline problems, were put on drugs to calm them down. They also got a monthly check. When often all  they needed was extra instruction or a spanking. She double crossed the board with her politics and conciliatory demeanor. All the while building her resume for a better job somewhere  else. She went to Boston. The same money, with half the students. Looks like she got a better job.

By now people had tired of  Sara Lewis and her antics, and Wanda Halbert has moved on to the city council. Kriner Cash didn't have to deal with them. But he has to deal with this merger and the public they left behind   He got the job based on his ability. Not his curly hair.He didn't get fired from his last job. He was chosen over several other candidates. Like he should be in this case. I'm sure John Aitken is a good guy But he isn't the man for the job. Kriner Cash is directly responsible for MCS receiving over $120 million. From a business prospective. Cash should be King.