New Memphis City Schools attorney Dorsey Hopson said he’s no stranger to conflict and that he is prepared to deal with the legal battle over school funding. (Photo by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell)

“I spent five years in the Atlanta and Clayton County school systems, and I’ve learned literally how to dodge left hooks while breaking up fights between board members who got physical with each other,” Dorsey said.

“The Memphis school board wanted somebody who could hit the ground running. I’m certainly not a stranger to conflict.”

Hopson has been thrown into the middle of a heated dispute ignited by the city’s $73 million cut in Memphis City Schools funding. Tennessee Department of Education joined the fray when it threatened to withhold an additional $423 million based on the city’s action. The deficits would reduce the $931 million school budget by more than half.

As critical as the school funding issue is, however, that is not the most daunting challenge facing MCS’s new legal chief. Moving here without his new wife and family is.

“Everything happened so quickly,” he said. “I would read Memphis newspapers on-line to keep up. Some attorney friends of mine mentioned that Memphis schools were looking for a general counsel. I applied for the job a few months ago, and by mid-March, I was offered the position.”

When Hopson graduated from Whitehaven High School, he never dreamed that ambitious pursuit would lead him back to his native city.

“Memphis is home, but I never set my sights on one day returning. Last year, FedEx made me a job offer, but my wife didn’t want to move here. So I turned it down. When this offer came along, we prayed about it and felt that God was directing me to come home.”

Pictured in wedding photos are Lee and Dorsey Hopson with their children, Alyssa Hopson (with her look-alike doll) and Cypress Rankin-Austin.  (Courtesy Photos)

Lee Rankin Hopson, an entertainment attorney, married Dorsey a year and a half ago. Her father, a judge in Washington D.C., did the honors.

They have a nine-month-old daughter named Robbie Eron. Both Lee and Dorsey had one child going into the marriage: Cypress Rankin-Austin, 13, Lee’s son, and Alyssa Hopson, 9, Dorsey’s daughter who lives in North Carolina.

“This transition is difficult,” said Lee. “But we’ve been doing a lot of praying and remembering our vows to each other. God’s will comes first. I believe in living with purpose and reaching your fullest potential. Dorsey really has a passion for school law. We believe that the Lord is ordering our steps.”

Returning home “wasn’t in the script,” but Dorsey’s journey full-circle has been a good one.

“I started college at Memphis State University. By the time I graduated, it had become the University of Memphis,” he said. “I went to Georgia State University Law School in Atlanta and graduated magna cum laude. I ranked 12 in a class of 160.”

Hopson began his 13-year law career working on a staff of 400 attorneys at one of the largest law firms in Atlanta. He left after four years to become assistant general counsel and later interim general counsel for Atlanta Public Schools. Shortly after that, an offer to head up Clayton County’s legal office was too good to pass up.

It was his dream job – except for the shouting matches and fisticuffs that sometimes highlighted weekly school board meetings.  His five years with Atlanta and Clayton County schools groomed him for the fight he inherited with the Memphis post.

“I have two passions: education and law,” he said. “Working as general counsel for a school system is ideal. It allows me to blend my two passions into a rewarding and career. I love what I do – even the difficult places. This funding situation is a challenge, but we are hopeful of a resolution soon.”

Lee and Dorsey bought their dream home when they married. Their “happily ever after” hit a kink with the Memphis move.

“It’s going to be hard to sell our home with the real estate market being what it is,” Dorsey said. “We just try to stay in touch – talk four or five times a day. Lee puts the baby on the phone. Sometimes Robbie says something, and sometimes she doesn’t. But I know she’s there on the other end. That’s tough for me right now.”

During Father’s Day weekend, the couple met in Washington D.C. to spend time with Lee’s father. Last weekend, Dorsey went to Atlanta. This week, Lee said, she and Robbie will come to Memphis on Monday and stay until the following Monday.

Dorsey is shown with his mother, Dorothy Hopson, after nuptials.

Dorsey presently lives in Whitehaven with his mother, Dorothy Hopson, a counselor for teen mothers at Pyramid Academy and a 30-year employee of MCS.

“I’m very blessed right now,” said Dorsey. “My mother is allowing me to freeload. I haven’t even started to look for a place to live yet. But once we can get our personal situation resolved, the rest will be easy.”

Meanwhile, the battle rages on…    

The City says that Shelby County is responsible for funding Memphis schools.  The $20 million that the school did receive, said council member Harold Collins, is a “gratuitous gift.” Negotiations have stalled, and Memphis schools and city government will likely face off in court on June 17.

“The court ruling is definitely going to side with the city,” said Collins. “The law is very clear that county government should fund the schools. Even after we address this year’s issues, the matter still needs to be resolved in court. Otherwise, it will never go away.”

Hopson wants a resolution before the courts get involved.

“I’m hoping we don’t have to go that far,” he said. “Sometimes people dig their heels in the sand and won’t budge. But Gov. (Phil) Bredesen said last week that the city is shirking its responsibility. If one municipality does it, others may follow. The state can’t let Memphis get away with this. It can and will withhold that money if the city does not reinstate the $73 million.”

Hopson believes a speedy resolution is in the best interest of all concerned.

“While cities all over the country are looking at ways to increase school funding, Memphis is probably the only city cutting school dollars. I don’t think council members really understood that the state would withhold its allotment based on their action. Now that they know, let’s see what they do with it.”

Hopson worries that all the fighting is not good for students or for the city’s image across the nation.

“This fight over school funding does not send a good message to our children, nor does it make a favorable impression across the nation. If it drags on too long and the case is heard in court, it’s going to be picked up nationally. And that is something Memphis doesn’t need right now.”

Collins, who has been a part of negotiations, said the school board is acting like a spoiled child.

“MCS wants funding. So they kick and scream just like a child who isn’t getting his way. Eventually, the parent gives in because the child is causing an embarrassing scene. Well, sooner or later, that parent will decide ‘Enough is enough. I’m not giving in this time.’ That’s where the city is now.”

What will ultimately resolve the issue?  Hopson says, parents and other concerned Memphians must get involved.

“The community is empowered to see that its elected officials fulfill the obligation to support public education and fund schools,” said Dorsey.

“The whole notion of taxpayers getting a tax break at the expense of school funding is not sensible. Parents and those who are concerned about our schools must let their voices be heard.”