Taylor expressed concern that the proposal to merge the two school systems will divide the community. "We need more cooperation in local government and less confrontation," he commented.

"Unfortunately, when the state issued its report card on school systems last year, over half of the failing schools in Tennessee were in the Memphis system," Taylor noted. He called the system too large and bureaucratic. "The Memphis City school system faces unique challenges. Many students come to first grade having never had a book read to them," said Taylor. "I don't see how increasing the size of the system will improve anything," he stated. Taylor said a larger system would be less accountable and less responsive to individual needs. He also expressed concerns about parental involvement and neighborhood schools in a consolidated system.

Taylor said he felt the consolidation issue was being driven by worries about school funding. "If funding is the issue, let's address state mandated funding formulas to provide equitable funding of schools yet ease future tax burdens," Taylor proposed. He said city-county school consolidation would actually result in a $50 million spending increase.

"I believe in smaller, more efficient government. A small school system is the most responsive to students, parents, and teachers," Taylor closed.