Whitehaven community presses commission to release promised STEM center funds

A large contingent of Whitehaven High School alumni, teachers and community leaders filled the commission chamber to press for $2.34 million in county education fund balance to complete a STEM Center the community says has private and public pledges behind it.

School Board Chair Althea Green told commissioners the board will submit a companion resolution and emphasized the board's intent to ensure receipts are in place before releasing previously committed funds: "When Memphis Shelby County Schools agreed to do something... it is our responsibility to honor our commitment," she said. Community speakers including alumni, current teachers and neighborhood leaders described the STEM facility as critical to providing hands-on STEM education and to addressing local equity gaps. Legal and budget staff warned that any portion funded from education fund balance that is bond-funded would trigger ADA (all-municipal) allocations and that an additional ~$600,000 may be needed for municipal equalization; attorneys and project counsel said design and permitting are underway and the project could take about a year to complete once funding is in place.

Commissioners set a short, near-term schedule for the issue: committee on August 13, work session and a special-call meeting on August 20 to resolve outstanding documentation and consider final action. Several commissioners said they expect the school board to satisfy the policy requirements by the August 20 special call.