EXTRA VACATION

Memphis School Opening Delayed

With city refusing to ante up funds.

School’s out—for autumn? Alice Cooper couldn’t have foreseen what’s going on in Memphis, where the school board has voted to delay the opening of the academic year. The board is demanding $55 million from the Tennessee city before it starts classes for its 103,000 students, who were scheduled to return Aug. 8. The quarrel comes as the board and council feud over the role of the county and city schools—city residents’ taxes also fund the wealthier, higher-performing county school district, and the city district recently voted to dissolve itself and be absorbed by the county. Both sides expressed optimism that they’d reach a deal before the opening bell is scheduled to ring.