District management
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Lawmakers say they want to improve Memphis academic performance like a 2023 Houston takeover did. But Texas measures school progress differently, so results may not be the same.
Roderick Richmond’s temporary contract expires in July. Two board members want to appoint him as the full-time leader without a search, despite a gap in favorability among principals and school-level staff.
Ida B. Wells Academy is 1 of 5 schools the district is recommending for closure due to high facilities costs and chronic underenrollment. Parents say it should be a model for the district.
Memphis Republicans want a state-appointed oversight board to control the district. Their plan is likely headed to a special committee to hash out a compromise.
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.
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.
MSCS leaders want to create the third combined middle-high school in the district if Chickasaw Middle closes in June. Parents worry that will spark behavioral issues.
MSCS leaders recommended combining Lucy Elementary School with Woodstock Middle to fill more seats. But parents worry about safety issues caused by big student age gaps.