GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — Germantown has thrown in the towel.
They realized there was no convincing Shelby County to let them buy any of the schools that bear their name.
But that won’t stop them from building what they said would be a world class district.
Jewel Simpson, a member of the Germantown Middle PTA, cared so much there was even a sign in her yard expressing that love.
She admitted to WREG that she was nervous when Germantown didn’t get to operate the schools, but said she and many others were now past it.
“The locusts didn’t descend, and the Mississippi didn’t run backwards. I think they’re getting this picture it’s not the tragedy they thought might happen.”
Apparently Germantown leaders felt the same way.
The announced Friday the fight to try to get back Germantown Elementary was over.
“We’re dealing with capacity issues and we have to decide are we going to wait to get Germantown Elementary back, or look for options,” said Germantown Superintendent Jason Manuel.
He also said that other option was building a new school.
Sources told WREG the land on Stout and Germantown Road, or along Poplar Pike near Hacks Cross could be a viable option.
“We’re not getting into education for a few years. This is a couple of generations if not longer,” said Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo. “We’re going to develop that and it may mean a shiny new building.”
Still, some residents said letting go of three schools buildings that had the city’s name, where many residents grew up, angered many, but there seemed to be no hope of changing the county’s mind.
