Shelby County approves ordinance to expand universal pre-K, adds 100% readiness goal

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a joint ordinance with the City of Memphis to expand access to high-quality prekindergarten to all 3- and 4-year-old children in Shelby County regardless of family income.

The ordinance, which the commission amended and approved on final reading, directs the county and city mayors to jointly select and authorize a fiscal agent to manage strategy and distribution of funds. The commission filled a previously blank effective-date field to read April 29, and it adopted a substantive amendment changing a stated county goal from 90% kindergarten readiness to 100% kindergarten readiness.

Candace Thomas, representing First 8 Memphis (the program designated in discussion as the fiscal agent), told commissioners that expanding access to pre-K "is a very, very, very big deal for a community to have access to pre k at 3 and 4 years old and regardless of income." Thomas outlined existing First 8 classroom placements in Oak Haven and noted ongoing work…