After falling a few percentage points short in enrollment in 2026, Shelby County has abandoned its goal of universal pre-k for all during recent backroom contract negotiations with childcare vendor First 8 Memphis.
County Commissioners received the update on Wednesday, June 10 during an Education Committee discussion on an amendment to the 2019 joint ordinance with the City of Memphis.
“That came from the Mayor’s office and his administration,” said First 8 Memphis Executive Director Kandace Thomas. “We did push back. We were told we had to accept the provision. It wasn’t something we could negotiate.”…