Shelby County commissioners urge mayor to sign pre‑K contract as providers warn classrooms could close

Commissioners on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 passed a resolution urging County Mayor Lee Harris to finalize and sign a contract with First Aid Memphis so budgeted pre‑K funding can be distributed to providers.

The move followed a sustained public comment period in which early‑childhood educators, program directors and parents said the administration has not released money the commission appropriated and warned that classrooms and providers were facing sudden financial strain. "We need that funding to come through," Dr. Charice Clark, a pre‑K teacher, told the commission. Several providers said they had drawn on lines of credit to cover payroll and that some classrooms could close within 30 days if funds are not released.

Why it matters: The commission approved an $11,500,000 county commitment for First Aid Memphis in the FY2026 budget cycle. First Aid Memphis leaders said the program grew from 1,660 pre‑K seats at the end of the last school year to 1,923 seats this year and that per‑child funding increased from $9,063 to $9,483. Commissioners and speakers said the delay is creating immediate operational risk for providers and could undermine a five‑year plan toward universal pre‑K that the county, together with the city, hopes to scale to $50,000,000 in –year investments.

What officials said: Megan Smith of the County Attorney's Office told commissioners her office is "actively negotiating the terms of that agreement" with First State Memphis and expected developments to be reported. Dr. Candace Thomas, First Aid Memphis director, said the program had opened additional classrooms this year and that the organization has been transparent about allocations and per‑child costs. "We ended the last school year at 1,660 seats," Thomas said; "this school year, we are at 1,923 seats."

What advocates said: Providers who addressed the commission described how delayed funding had immediate consequences. Robin Mayweather, founder of Red Robins Academy, said she had no clarity on timing and asked, "How would you feel if you were told you were not going to be paid?" Marcus Harris, speaking for Kiddie Learning Center, said the "delay gate" was forcing providers to make operational choices they could not sustain and closed his remarks with, "Marcus Harris says no more delay gate." Several speakers urged commissioners to contact the county mayor and help secure the contract signature.

Commission action and next steps: After discussion the commission suspended rules to hear add‑on Item 25a and passed the urging resolution (vote recorded: 10 ayes). The resolution calls on the mayor to sign the contract so First Aid Memphis can distribute the appropriation to operators; it does not itself alter the previously approved budget or create spending authority. Commissioners asked the administration for a clearer explanation of the hold and requested follow‑up information from Finance and the County Attorney's Office. Providers and commissioners said they expect a procedural update and for the administration to act before imminent payroll and service disruptions.

Closing note: The item is a politically charged, operational request: the commission has appropriated funds, but commission members said execution of the contract rests with the mayor’s administration. The resolution seeks to accelerate action but does not bypass contract negotiations or legal review.