Melissa Brown

Melissa Brown

Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Tennessee

Melissa Brown is the Bureau Chief for Chalkbeat Tennessee. She joined Chalkbeat from The Tennessean, where she covered state politics and government policy. Before moving to Tennessee, she reported on a number of issues around Alabama, including award-winning criminal justice work at The Montgomery Advertiser and higher education at al.com. Melissa is an Alabama native who grew up on military bases in Japan and England before graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in journalism.

The Memphis-Shelby County school board approved a $1.9 billion budget for the upcoming school year that will also resurrect school break learning academies. But the district scaled back some critical fire and safety upgrade proposals, including fire alarm upgrades in a number of schools.

For the first time in five years, most low-income Tennessee students will not receive summer grocery benefits to help bridge the gap before school starts back. Advocates warn Tennessee’s decision to reduce its program will harm students.

A forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is set to begin in July. Tennessee lawmakers earmarked $6 million for the deep dive into the district’s finances and administration.