Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Some Memphis board members want to establish a bipartisan accountability council to help guide district decision-making. The proposal comes over a year into the state GOP-backed effort to take over the district.
The MSCS school board voted last week to shutter five schools by the end of this year. That leaves over 1,200 students to find a new place to go next fall, with the district extending its priority transfer deadline to accommodate last-minute changes.
Two MSCS board races will be decided by the first ever partisan primary for the position on May 5. Seventeen candidates are vying for the four open spots.
That means around 12,000 high schoolers would miss more than 10% or 18 school days in a year. That’s significantly higher than the statewide average.
Over 1,200 Memphis students will attend a new school in August as part of the first round of a long-term district closure plan.
After months of legal debate and challenges, 17 candidates will vie for four open MSCS board seats. Districts 1 and 9 will be decided by a May 5 primary, since only Democrats are running.
The school board will vote next Tuesday on whether to close five schools at the end of this year. But parents say they’ve come to rely on Wells teachers and services.
Board members were divided in a vote Wednesday to promote the interim leader to a full-time gig. Some argued a full search would be needed for transparency, while others stressed the urgency for stability.
The district received a waiver from the Tennessee Department of Education after taking two full weeks off of class. That exceeded MSCS’ built-in snow days by two, prompting the need for state assistance.
The MSCS board is set to vote Wednesday on whether to initiate a full search process as interim leader Roderick Richmond’s contract expires. The decision comes as state lawmakers push to upend the district leadership system.
The judge ruled Monday that the county commission’s bid to put all nine school board seats up for election this year is invalid. That saves five MSCS board members from facing shortened terms.
The district says state auditors haven’t presented any evidence of fraud or abuse to constitute further investment. Republican lawmakers didn’t name specifics either.
The district used up all of its built-in snow days as of Wednesday. Thursday’s closure means MSCS students could lose scheduled break time or face an extended school year.
Tennessee Republicans have been pushing for an MSCS takeover since July. Community advocates say they’ve been working behind the scenes to protect local control.
After a week of school closures, many Tennessee districts are running low on snow days. What happens next?
The district is moving quickly through its allowance of inclement-weather days.
The district has cancelled class for three days in a row this week in the aftermath of last weekend’s winter storm.
While Memphis dodged anticipated power outages, officials are still working to clear local streets buried in snow.
According to Saturday’s social media post, the district will continue to monitor weather conditions to see if additional cancellations are needed.
The MSCS board rejected a contract with ABM Industries twice, leaving the schools without cleaning services through January. Parents say conditions are “deplorable.”