Memphis Mayor washing hands.

Memphis Mayor is said to be washing his hands of the consolidation issue.

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal comes this:

Without Herenton in the picture, the fledgling task force will try tackling the pros and cons of consolidation at its next meeting Sept. 21. It will be inviting other Tennessee superintendents from Chattanooga and Nashville to discuss their experiences merging districts. It will also be looking for studies that break down whether joining school districts helps save money, or helps improve student performance.

(snip)

Some of the greatest concerns have come from county school officials and suburban residents who fear a unified district would dilute the quality of the higher performing county schools. They also worry a mammoth bureaucracy with a chancellor and five regional superintendents would gum up a system that's already struggling to be more family-friendly.