In 8-3 vote, Shelby County Commission approves school merger deal.

Byline: Zack McMillin

Aug. 30--Monday's discussion and vote by the Memphis-dominated Shelby County Commission on the schools merger settlement followed a predictable pattern: Memphis members voting to move the process forward and suburban members futilely opposing efforts to give Memphis representation on the county school board. Memphis members like Walter Bailey provided the winning margin in the 8-3 vote, which sets up a new 23-member county board, and praised it as a real step toward unity. The three dissenting suburban members -- Republicans Wyatt Bunker, Terry Roland and Chris Thomas -- railed against the deal. Suburban Shelby County Schools board members …