Budget & finance
In a divided vote Monday, Shelby County commissioners adopted the 2026-27 school year budget that includes teacher bonuses for high-need positions and $200 million for building repairs.
Nashville Republicans used early audit findings to fast-track the state takeover of MSCS this spring. Final results come as the takeover is in limbo.
The state takeover board can pull from two pots of money to reform Memphis schools. It's unclear how and for what those funds can be used.
The $1.7 billion proposal now goes to the Shelby County Commission for approval. It’s unclear whether a state-appointed oversight board will have a role in the process.
The new state oversight board could curb a proposal to offer bonuses for teachers who stay in high-need schools or take on positions with the most vacancies.
The county government approved a $200,000 legal investment Monday. MSCS is blocked from using public funds to sue the state over accountability measures under a new law passed in late April.
The Shelby County Youth Council has spent the past six months crafting a list of almost 20 policy suggestions. Now, they’re trying to get those recommendations into county and city budgets.
Gov. Bill Lee has declined federal funding to help feed low-income students over the summer. A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to change that.
Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond said Tuesday that no official findings or conclusions have been reached in the $6 million investigation, despite state lawmakers insisting on ‘concerning’ early results.
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 MSCS board rejected a contract with ABM Industries twice, leaving the schools without cleaning services through January. Parents say conditions are “deplorable.”
It would be the second donation this year from an entity tied to Musk. MSCS approved the first in July, sparking backlash amid community protests over xAI data centers.
The facilities proposal includes a plan to close three to five schools per year. Five schools have already been recommended for closure in 2026.
Educator advocates say unpaid student teacher requirements can be a barrier for aspiring teachers. The Tennessee House speaker wants to start providing state-funded stipends for those internships.
MSCS board members say expanding bus eligibility will reduce ICE-related absenteeism. But they haven’t set a deadline to put changes in place.
It’s one of many proposals put forward by the district's facilities committee to help address over $1 billion in MSCS maintenance costs over the next decade.
The agency did not yet have details of how much more money it will need for vouchers or its public education funding formula.
Public schools are required by federal law to provide special education pre-K services, but they receive minimal federal and state funding to do so.
Recommendation to shutter four MSCS schools leaves many details up in the air. Here are the key questions we’re following.
MSCS leaders say the affected schools have costly maintenance needs and low utilization. A fifth school is slated to be transferred to a neighboring suburban district.