MSCS State Takeover
GOP lawmakers in the Tennessee legislature are pushing for a state-backed takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, citing low academic performance and financial mismanagement. Here’s the latest news.
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.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Memphis schools takeover after officials argued it could delay important decisions on purchases like HVAC repairs.
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.
At a community advocacy event Saturday, dozens of Memphis parents told Chalkbeat they want new district leadership to better address reading gaps and district distrust.
The lawsuit challenges a new Tennessee law that establishes an oversight board to take control away from the locally elected school board.
The Memphis oversight board will take over district controls from the elected school board beginning July 1.
The nine-person board will now seize significant authority from the locally elected school board.
Tennessee Republicans want to use Houston’s 2023 takeover as a model for Memphis. Here are the early changes Texas officials made to class curriculum and staffing.
Recent school takeovers in Texas, often heralded by Tennessee Republicans, resulted in multiple school shutdowns. And a former MSCS superintendent appointed to MSCS’ oversight board made closures a lynchpin of his tenure.
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.
SCORE CEO David Mansouri will be the only takeover board member who isn’t a Shelby County resident.