Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Shelby County Commission

Budget approved

Tennessee
June 18, 2018

County approves more money for Memphis schools, but skirts obligation to match it next year

The decision to approve the budget sets in motion an action that meets the district’s needs for now, but also loses out on locking in more resources for years to come.

exclusive

Tennessee
June 14, 2018

Shelby County Schools wants to shutter charter school that opened outside district limits

But the school's leader says he is close to securing a building within Shelby County Schools boundaries.

budget season

Tennessee
June 12, 2018

Shelby County Commissioners recommend less aggressive pre-K funding plan

A committee of Shelby County Commissioners voted 4-2 Tuesday in favor of approving a plan that details funding for pre-K through 2022.

FUNDING TALKS

Tennessee
May 31, 2018

Shelby County Commissioners reveal tentative plan to fully fund pre-K for families who can’t afford it

County government could add an additional $2.5 million for pre-K for the new fiscal year starting on July 1, according to a new recommendation.

finding funding

Tennessee
March 26, 2018

Nonprofit charged with getting Memphis’ youngest students kindergarten-ready says city’s $6 million is just the start

The city of Memphis recently pledged $6 million for pre-kindergarten seats. But it's just a drop in the bucket of a $40 million pre-K plan.

PRIMARY READY

Tennessee
February 26, 2018

Leadership that controls school funding will change in Memphis this year. Here’s who is running

Shelby County voters will elect a new mayor and a mostly new county commission this year.

shot down

Tennessee
July 12, 2017

Boys & Girls Clubs unlikely to open soon in Memphis schools as SCS funding plan collapses

County commissioners balk at Shelby County Schools' request for $1.6 million to open clubs inside of three schools.

Home stretch

Tennessee
June 29, 2016

Memphis schools get budget win as county approves $22 million more for Tennessee’s largest district

Shelby County Schools gets most of what leaders wanted from county government, ending a month-long tug-of-war over funding.

Funding flexibility

Tennessee
June 9, 2016

Board presses Shelby County for wheel tax autonomy for Memphis schools

Seeking to balance its budget, the school board asks the County Commission to give the district greater flexibility in spending wheel tax revenue for education.

Down to the details

Tennessee
May 11, 2016

Flurry of budget changes would raise salaries, change benefits for Memphis teachers

The school board for Shelby County Schools will vote next week on a $954 million proposed budget for Tennessee's largest school district.

Painful plan

Tennessee
April 6, 2016

Hopson: Proposed budget cuts to Memphis schools could reverse years of improvements

More than $50 million in proposed cuts would impact staffing and programs including special education, the Innovation Zone and CLUE within Shelby County Schools.

Five things

Tennessee
April 5, 2016

Budget cuts loom for Shelby County Schools, again — here’s what we know

As Superintendent Dorsey Hopson prepares to unveil his proposed budget for Tennessee's largest school district, here are five things to know.

Game on

Tennessee
April 4, 2016

Citing ‘dire’ budget situation for Shelby County Schools, Hopson rallies employees for funding

As budget season kicks off for Memphis schools, Superintendent Dorsey Hopson urges employees to advocate for increased funding from county and state governments.

OPEB liability

Tennessee
January 6, 2016

Memphis City Schools retiree benefits up in the air following state attorney general’s opinion

Retired employees face uncertainty over which entity is responsible for paying for their benefits after the state attorney general said it's not Shelby County.
Tennessee
July 21, 2014

County Commission approves $3 million to expand pre-K

The Shelby County Commission will give $3 million to the Shelby County Education Foundation to expand prekindergarten this year, according to local media…
Tennessee
June 18, 2014

Pre-K advocates pursue small strategies toward big goal

A coalition of pre-K advocates are moving forward with a collection of small strategies that they hope will, collectively, result in every child being prepared to start kindergarten.Although they’ve stopped short of calling it a full-on strategy, they are now pursuing several possible ways forward, including identify new funding, raising standards for daycare centers, and even returning to voters to ask for more funding.
Tennessee
June 3, 2014

Commission votes down pre-K proposal

The Shelby County Commission voted down a proposal to fund pre-K classrooms Monday. Commissioner Steve Mulroy wanted $2.8 million to restore funding for 26 pre-K…