Some top county officials said they are taking a wait-and-see attitude to a movement by local cities to explore taking over county schools within their boundaries.
Both Signal Mountain and Red Bank are studying the idea.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said, "They are just doing what we do all the time - carry out a feasibility study on an idea."
He noted that the county is currently exploring what to do about its jail, including the possibility of building new jail space.
County Mayor Coppinger said the cities may find "there are a lot more moving parts to this" than they anticipate.
Sabrena Smedley, commissioner who heads the education committee, said she is keeping an eye on the growing movement.
She also said she believes there could be some significant obstacles to the switch-over.
Commissioner Smedley said she wants to keep a focus on improving the county schools, saying there is a new opportunity with new school board members and a search for a superintendent.