following the merger of memphis city schools and shelby county schools in 2013, a referendum was put forth to the residents of bartlett to form their own school district. in july 2013, the residents of bartlett approved the referendum and bartlett city schools was created. on december 20, 2013, the bartlett city schools board voted unanimously to appoint former shelby county schools deputy superintendent, david stephens, as superintendent. on august 4, 2014, bartlett city schools officially opened for their first day of classes.