One-year marriage of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools ended in a happy divorce — for one side
By 2014, the public education landscape was sprawling as six suburban municipal districts launched in Arlington, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland and Millington. Last year, families turned out for the grand opening of Lakeland Preparatory High School. (Lucy Garrett/The Daily Memphian file)
It was the largest and shortest public school district merger in United States history. A decade later, leaders on both sides recall the road that led to an unhappy “shotgun wedding.”
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Memphis City Schools Shelby County Schools merger Muncipal school districts Memphis Shelby County Schools Tomeka Hart David Pickler Dorsey Hopson Wyatt Bunker Ted Horrell Brian Stephens Subscriber OnlyWe’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉
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Don Wade
Don Wade has been a Memphis journalist since 1998 and he has won awards for both his sports and news/feature writing. He is originally from Kansas City and is married with three sons.
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