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Opinion | Lee Harris is responsible for getting the '3G' deal across the finish line | Otis Sanford

Otis Sanford gives his point of view on the latest developments surrounding the '3G' school plan in Germantown.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s the end of the week, and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has to be feeling pretty good about now – if not greatly relieved. 

The second term mayor just scored what I consider to be the most impressive victory of his entire political career – with approval of a plan he orchestrated that finally resolves control of three public schools in Germantown. It began on Monday when the Germantown Board of aldermen unanimously signed off on the plan – that eventually transfers Germantown elementary and middle schools to the municipal school district. The plan also calls for the future sale of the Germantown High School property – and construction of a new high school in the Cordova area.

On Wednesday, the county commission approved the plan – but not without complaints from some commissioners. After the back and forth, the proposal passed by a 8 to 5 bipartisan vote. Then Thursday, it was smooth sailing – as both the Germantown school board and the Memphis-Shelby County school board unanimously approved the plan. That’s four votes in four days on something that still has a lot of unanswered questions – including where the county will get the money to build that new high school in Cordova. Plus, a separate plan for Lucy Elementary School in Millington is yet to be completed.

But without question, Mayor Harris is primarily responsible for getting this deal across the finish line.

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