Patterson quoted in Memphis Commercial Appeal regarding Municipal School Districts

Memphis Commercial Appeal regarding Municipal School Districts

Chris Patterson was quoted today in the Memphis Commercial Appeal in connection with potential new educational options being considered by the state legislature in the wake of the debate on the Memphis City Schools charter surrender.

Several Shelby County municipalities are studying the possibility of establishing their own municipal districts, and Patterson was quoted in regard to the potential impact on Oakland, TN.  Patterson Bray serves as counsel to the Town of Oakland, and Patterson is monitoring the various options that may be “in play” for the Town as the debate in Shelby County moves forward.

The newspaper quoted Patterson as follows:

The monitoring of potential state legislation is not limited to Shelby County. Chris Patterson, attorney for Oakland in Fayette County, said the city doesn’t want to be left out of any discussion about new school districts. He said officials are preparing a 20-year growth plan, and the Memphis school situation could affect Oakland.

“There will be some level of exodus, no matter what the result,” Patterson said. “… Oakland wants to avail itself of some of that flight. We want to make Fayette an option rather than DeSoto County or Tipton.”