Leadership & Management
18 schools will remain closed for a second day. The district canceled classes Monday after a Saturday storm caused widespread power outages, including at 40 schools.
After the pandemic, more than half of the students at Compass Berclair were missing at least 10% of school days. A new attendance team helped get them back on track.
Tennessee’s top three Republican leaders can now appoint a new oversight board with sweeping authority over the state’s largest school district.
Board members delayed the permanent contract vote two weeks ago, but some said Tuesday that impending audit results are encouraging leadership stability.
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.
Board members said the company recommended by MSCS leaders has a history of poor service. It’s not the first time custodian contracts have caused issues.
Roderick Richmond says he’s helped rebuild trust in the district over the past 11 months. But it’s up to the school board to decide who takes over in July.
Tennessee currently requires high school students to have two world language credits to graduate. The state board of education chairman wants to reduce the requirement to one credit to give more elective flexibility to students.
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.
The MSCS board elected Natalie McKinney as its leader Tuesday with six votes.
Five school board members will now only serve half their terms, which opponents say is unconstitutional.
The county commission remains divided on whether to put Memphis school board seats on the ballot in 2026 or 2030, with some worried about legality issues. A small group of critical parents is pushing for immediate action.
The Shelby County Commission approved term limits for Memphis school board members. But commissioners again delayed a vote on an election year reset amid hours of heated debate.
A judge ruled against her request for a preliminary injunction in her ongoing lawsuit against the school board that fired her in January.
As Memphis-Shelby County leadership faces potential shakeups, principals will start working with training coaches. And students will take district-wide tests three times this year to help provide more targeted support.
No one told me ‘you’ll miss cafeteria noise,’ or ‘you’ll feel phantom pain for your walkie talkie,’ but I did.
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.
The former superintendent says board members started planning her ouster and choosing her replacement months ago.
The school board defies community input and votes 6-3 to end her tenure after barely 9 months. State lawmakers may seek to intervene.