MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Tennessee Senate committee passed a bill lifting the ban on municipal schools putting the Shelby County suburbs one step closer to forming their own school systems. But the battle is not over yet.

Though suburban parents see the committee vote as a breakthrough, they are still bracing for more hurdles ahead.

"We're just cautiously optimistic," said Phillip Walker, Better Bartlett Schools. "Just like when we voted overwhelmingly to have municipal schools."

The parents with Better Bartlett Schools say the Tennessee Senate committee vote that brings the Shelby County suburban municipalities closer to educational autonomy is exciting, but there is a lot of work to do.

"We still have an election coming up if the bill passes and we have to ensure the municipal schools referendum passes once again in Bartlett," said Derek Venckus.

Lakeland Mayor Scott Carmichael accepted Lakeland’s 9th consecutive Tree City Award and 8th Consecutive Growth Award at the annual Arbor Day event last Saturday.  The event at City Hall Park included recognition of the Lakeland Elementary School Arbor Day poster contest as well as a visit by Shawn Posey, representing the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Natural Resource Director Eric Bridges developed the first Tree City Award and has been successful in being awarded the Growth Award each succeeding year.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation web site, “The Tree City USA Growth Award is awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities.