After two passes on a first vote, Shelby County Commissioners will once again consider a sweeping overhaul of its attempt to provide universal pre-k. Mayor Lee Harris is seeking to revise an ordinance approved in 2025, that ups the county’s commitment to 100% of all eligible students.
The edits include opening up pre-k funding to numerous “entities.” Currently, the money is distributed by a single “fiscal agent.” The amendment will be brought up again during the Wednesday, June 10 committee meetings.
Still, there are hopes that major changes won’t be necessary. During the Monday, June 1 meeting, commissioners were informed that discussions between the administration and nonprofit First 8 Memphis have begun.
“First 8 Memphis recently met with county attorney Megan Smith and special assistant Hannah McCarthy this evening. They are bringing a couple of revisions to Mayor Harris, per our conversation,” said First 8 Director Kandace Thomas.
The county hired the nonprofit to implement a 5-year plan. A fiscal agent works as an independent third party — like a bank, or trust — to manage financial affairs, administrative duties and grant funding. Any changes will also require a two-thirds majority vote from commissioners.
“It was decided at that time you needed an independent fiscal agent to do this work without compromising the community,” said Kandace Thomas. “You could be paying a fiscal agent who right now runs pre-k, who right now has pre-k seats, or paying a fiscal agent who is not considered neutral to your interests.”
Harris has expressed concerns with using a single entity. He has also said too much funding has gone towards First 8’s administrative overhead, instead of classrooms. The amendment would loosen the language to allow for other vendors. The move would permit direct funding to learning facilities.
“The organization that you work with to invest the pre-k funds should actually be seen as more than a vendor. It really should be seen as a community institution for early learning,” argued Thomas.
Critics argue the amendment would hinder oversight, funding alignment, accountability, along with data reporting, collection and analysis.
“The proposed amendment that you all have before you as a joint ordinance would dismantle more than 10 years of effective alignment of early childhood services system building,” said Yvonne Matlock, former Shelby County health director who currently serves on First 8’s board.
Last year, the county’s enrollment rate was 90%. Shelby County achieved a 97% pre-k enrollment rate in 2026. The pre-k expansion includes bringing 3-year-olds into the fold. Prior to the change, the focus was on 4-year-olds.
To handle the influx, the new law encouraged increased funding, by setting an annual target of $21 million.
The bulk is paid by Shelby County. Last year, the figure was over $14 million. The City of Memphis made up the rest. Prior to the ordinance, the county’s typical baseline allotment towards early childhood education was around $8.5 million. Harris has criticized the 2 to 1 funding gap created by the ordinance.
According to one charter school administrator, the extra money has already paid dividends.
“I want to let you know, our kids are finishing up their pre-k year in the 55% national percentile for reading,” said Libertas Memphis executive director Bob Nardo. “This is in a community where almost every single school was considered a failure by the state ten years ago, now we have some of the highest performing schools in the state right here in Frayser.”
