Haslam Visits Bluff City

Memphis, Tn - In Memphis, feeling out the economic temperature and success of the City’s medical research field, Governor Elect Bill Haslam found himself taking more education questions than business questions. 

For now, he seems to be staying out of the school consolidation crosshairs.

“It’s a local issue, ultimately, that will be voted on locally. Obviously, the second question is who gets to vote and I think it personally ends up in court,” said Haslam. “My part is to say it does matter that we have a great education for every child.”

The former Mayor of Knoxville, a city that had its own public school consolidation in 1987, says he wishes he had lessons learned to share. But, says the mergers are too different to compare.

"One difference from Knoxville and Chattanooga, this is a situation where you're having a much larger city system being folded into a smaller city system which wasn't the same degree."

Though no weighing in on the wrong or right of combining Memphis City Schools with Shelby County Schools, Haslam did say he is in the loop, staying in constant contact with Mayors Wharton and Luttrell.

Both Mayors greeted Haslam during his tour and economy talk at the Memphis Bioworks Foundation.

Mayor Wharton says he shares the Governor Elect’s aspirations for a great state, "I know I can speak for mayor Luttrell here in that we want to be full partners in the areas of education and economic development."