MILLINGTON, TN (abc24.com) - The City of Millington is finally learning how much it will cost to start its own school district.
Southern Educational Strategies, hired by the city to conduct a feasibility study, delivered the thick report to City Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
"The hard part has been waiting for this," said Mayor Linda Carter.
Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, and Lakeland also hired SES, and all are deliberating starting their own municipal districts. It comes as Memphis and Shelby County continue to work towards a consolidated school district.
The report found starting a Millington municipal school district was possible, and could be funded by a 1/2 cent sales tax hike.
"Without a 1/2 cent local option sales tax rate, the local property tax rate would need to be increased by approximately 86 cents," the report stated.
SES also found the city would need to close down at least one of three elementary schools in the city limits.
"The projected school enrollment and operating cost analysis revealed that it is not financially feasible for City of Millington municipal school district to continue to operate all three of the elementary schools that currently exist within the city," the report says. "No more than two elementary schools will be needed to serve the projected enrollment."
"I have four kids of my own, so I would pay a little extra just so they can stay," said Millington resident Leah Edwards.
But others were not so exciting for an increase in sales tax.
"It is worth it for the kids, but I don't know, I don't think it is right because the sales tax is already outrageous."
All five other cities are preparing to let voters weigh in during a May 10th referendum. The report recommended Millington hold a similar vote in August.
