It appears teachers and other Memphis City Schools employees who live outside Shelby County will have five years to move into the county after the schools merge.

Though the first of three readings passed on this measure, this may not be the end of the story on this deal. There is still a chance the 1,400-plus employees who live outside Shelby County will get a chance to keep their homes.

MORE: MCS residency to be debated by commission
MORE: County residency requirement for MCS employees

Several MCS teachers who attended Monday's Commission meeting begged commissioners to allow them to continue to live outside the county. They said a five-year grace period would do them no good because they own property and selling, in many cases, would cause financial ruin with the state of housing market.

The Republican commissioners are opposed to grandfathering in the teachers, but the votes were there for a five-year grace period. The idea is that will give the county the time to lift  the residency requirement for workers altogether.

Teachers are hopeful that will happen.

"In four more years my house will be paid for," said Barbie Windsor, teacher. "Now I have to try and sell my house then move."

"When you are in a position to do harm, or do no harm, then do no harm," echoed David Pickle, teacher. "You guys are in that position and we ask you to do no harm and grandfather us in."

This needs two more readings to pass to become an official county ordinance.