District management
Two of the four schools slated for closure this year are located in Frayser. MSCS leaders say next Wednesday’s meeting will give families important information about suggested shutdowns and other topics.
Some incumbent MSCS board members say they won’t align with a party. But that could put them at a disadvantage in a Democratic stronghold like Shelby County.
The MSCS board elected Natalie McKinney as its leader Tuesday with six votes.
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.
It’s unclear which schools will be included in the plan that could come as early as Tuesday. There are several MSCS buildings quickly approaching the end of their useful life.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools cut teacher vacancies by hundreds compared with this time last year, thanks to a bolstered HR team, an official said. Over 200 new hires hold conditional licenses, which expire in 3 years.
MSCS leaders will pay outside company Reading Horizons over $540,000 for its dyslexia-specific tutoring curriculum. But one local literacy expert worries it won’t be enough to boost proficiency.
MSCS is in no position to turn down money that could ease growing maintenance issues. But a small group of students is protesting xAI’s investment over environmental concerns.
MSCS officials said Friday that contaminated water sources were shut off before school began. There’s still work ahead to turn fountains back on and keep buildings cool and insect-free.
County commissioners dropped their original plan to put all Memphis school board seats on the ballot in 2026. But opponents say delaying changes to 2030 doesn’t solve constitutional problems.
Students will be required to keep personal devices, including smartwatches, turned off and put away during school hours. Violating that policy could come with consequences, up to suspension.
The local early education nonprofit is expected to receive the nearly $30 million annual grant instead of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The district lost its contract due to multiple child safety violations.
MSCS’ school board will vote next week on a revised policy requiring students to keep devices off and away during school hours. But some are concerned about how to address student violations.
Republican Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor said the pending $6 million independent financial audit of MSCS will inform their next moves. Both introduced bills to create state-controlled boards in charge of the district that failed this spring.
While the administration has said it is reviewing programs related to immigration and other issues, Tennessee schools previously primarily used the funds for teacher training and after-school programming.
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.
Lawmakers approve a forensic audit and vow to keep the legislation alive.
The legislation outlines how elected board members could be removed and replaced, and calls for prior review of large contracts and expenditures.
Elected board would continue in an ‘advisory capacity.’ Critics warn that the bill could open the door for the state to encroach on local control in other districts.