The Shelby County Commission will pause on issuing candidate petitions for five district races currently being challenged in court. Twenty-two challengers have taken that first step to qualify for the May 5 primary.

Five board members suing over potential term cuts filed for a temporary restraining order Tuesday. But the state attorney general said pausing candidate filing would cause “electoral chaos.”

As MSCS sues to stop all nine board seats from being on the May ballot, a potential state takeover and new superintendent hire are on the horizon.

MSCS school board candidates can begin filing to run starting today. Most incumbents will be seeking re-election, especially those facing shortened terms.

The number of MSCS schools earning the lowest grade, an F, stayed stagnant. But two-thirds of the district’s schools received a C or higher, an increase from last year.

The facilities proposal includes a plan to close three to five schools per year. Five schools have already been recommended for closure in 2026.

The Shelby County Commission reset the election timeline this fall, cutting five school board members’ terms short. The new lawsuit comes days before candidates can begin requesting election petitions for the 2026 May primaries.

MSCS officials say closing Georgian Hills Elementary would consolidate neighborhood enrollment into fewer buildings, reducing district cost.

Board members didn’t budge on their refusal to hire ABM Industries due to complaints filed over a decade ago. The current contract expires Dec. 31.

The new safety center uses artificial intelligence and live camera footage to monitor MSCS campuses all day, every day. It’s a security upgrade years in the making.