“3G” settlement finalized after Germantown enters unanimous vote

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A deal that would determine how three Germantown schools will be transferred and operated is finally moving forward.

The “3GS” agreement was settled Thursday evening, following a vote from the fourth and final body to contribute to the overall outcome of the deal.

The Germantown Municipal School District entered a unanimous vote to adopt both the settlement and resolution regarding the three namesake schools. The discussion got underway amongst the five-member board.

Newly sworn-in board member Daniel Chatham attempted to soothe worries from concerned residents about re-zoning. Chatham assured that there would be no re-zoning necessary at the current time.

Chatham also added that there are no immediate plans for families to change schools. Fellow board member Brian Curry added to this topic, saying that nothing changes for up to nine years.

A closer look at the agreement, now that all votes are in:

The City of Germantown will pay Shelby County $5 million for the elementary and middle schools. Germantown will help Memphis-Shelby County Schools sell the high school.

Those proceeds from the sale would go toward building a new high school for MSCS in Cordova.

The Shelby County Commission also approved $77.5 million to help pay for the new $100 million MSCS school facility.

A nine-year transition period was also granted to give students time to graduate from the “3GS”. MSCS would operate the buildings during those years.

Board member Curry said during the meeting that there was a need to address the notion that students would have been displaced, even prior to this agreement. Curry said there was always a transition option in place.

Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo, who was in attendance, spoke to this point, defusing rumors that students would be uprooted.

“That was never going to be the case, but when people read a complex law and a new statute you see certain dates,” said Palazzolo. “Getting this concluded and reaching a finishing point is what’s important, but it’s really not the finishing point. Students have an additional nine years to complete their educational journey. That’s important to every single person that participated in these discussions and negotiations.”

GMSD board member Angela Griffith said her support of the agreement was contingent upon the well-being of families and students.

“To me, it was all about that. What does a long-term transition look like that keeps students, families, and staff from being displaced and gives them a long-term transition and that keeps students at the center and primary focus now and in the future?”

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