Students at one school walk out to support Feagins
Scores of middle school students attended a 15-minute walkout on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in support of Superintendent Marie Feagins, who is facing a proposed ouster from the school board.
Laura Testino
Laura Testino is an enterprise reporter who writes about how public policy shapes Memphis. She is currently reporting from Frayser about education and housing. Please write her with your suggestions and story tips.
There are 209 articles by Laura Testino :
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January 2025
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EducationWhat to know as MSCS reconvenes to discuss Feagins
Deliberations among board members may reveal whether any of them have been persuaded by local or state-level pressures to resolve differences and keep Feagins in the seat.
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EducationEmail shows early tensions between Feagins, school leaders
Feagins, currently under the scrutiny of a proposed ouster, has been celebrated for what some call bold efforts. But the reality of her changes appear to have had a more complex impact on schools and students.
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Education Schools set for Monday return as snow melts across Memphis
Friday’s snow day made for a long weekend for students in Memphis and Shelby County.
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EducationMSCS board member proposes keeping Marie Feagins
A resolution from MSCS board member Amber Huett-Garcia would keep Marie Feagins in the seat and provide time for the superintendent to remedy the issues board members identified.
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Feagins tells Frayser Exchange she’s ‘grateful folks are paying attention’
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Education Feagins tells Frayser Exchange she’s ‘grateful folks are paying attention’
MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins spoke Thursday to the Frayser Exchange Club, a long-standing weekly meeting attended by community leaders and politicos.
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Education MSCS, suburban districts cancel Friday class ahead of winter storm
Weather forecasts predict several inches of snow to accumulate in the Memphis area on Friday, Jan. 10.
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Education‘I will not resign,’ Feagins says in response to MSCS board
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins “will not resign” from her post, she wrote to school board Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman, firing back against efforts to remove her as the city’s top education leader.
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EducationA detailed look at the allegations to fire MSCS’ Feagins
The Daily Memphian reviewed claims about overtime pay, a check donation and a grant application, and compiled what is known about them.
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EducationFeagins’ response to MSCS board expected Monday
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members have not produced additional evidence to support claims levied against Superintendent Marie Feagins during a Dec. 17 termination meeting, Feagins’ attorney Alan Crone said.
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December 2024
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Shelby CountyJuvenile Court sues Sheriff’s Office
Juvenile Court filed a lawsuit Tuesday requesting the Shelby County Chancery Court stop the Sheriff’s Office from terminating its oversight of Shelby County’s juvenile-detention center.
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EducationAttorney: Claims against Feagins are ‘weak,’ and she ‘absolutely’ wants to keep her job
“Where I come from, you call somebody a liar, you better have plenty to back that up,” said Feagins’ attorney, Memphis lawyer Alan Crone.
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Education MSCS board chair says issues with Feagins can’t be overcome
In a new statement released to the press on Thursday, Dec. 26, board Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman seemed to provide an accelerated timeline for terminating Superintendent Marie Feagins.
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Education MSCS has fewer F schools in second year of Tennessee letter grades
Nevertheless, state law requires Tennessee districts with D and F schools appear before the Tennessee State Board of Education for hearings. Such reviews could result in corrective-action plans or audits for districts or charter operators.
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Education Activists, State Rep. discuss school board recall possibilities
During a Thursday press conference, Tennessee state Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, stopped short of committing to push legislation that would allow voters to recall Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members.
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Education MSCS board to consider terminating Feagins’ contract
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members are scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Superintendent Marie Feagins’ contract.
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EducationTennessee lawmaker considering ‘all options’ for MSCS
More turmoil at Memphis-Shelby County Schools could bring back proposals for state intervention in Tennessee’s largest school district, a state lawmaker told The Daily Memphian.
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EducationHere’s what’s at stake if MSCS fires Superintendent Marie Feagins
Memphis students and public education have been through leadership tumult that began with the departure of former Superintendent Joris Ray in 2022 and continued through the interim tenure of Toni Williams.
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Education Former MSCS leader lands at national teacher-training org
By joining TNTP, Toni Williams strengthens the teacher training organization’s ties to Memphis.
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MetroNew MSCS plan could close schools with most severe maintenance needs
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins said she may seek community input as decisions are made following a $2 million assessment of each of the district’s 200 buildings
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Public SafetyDOJ: MPD uses ‘needless force’ with kids
A report from the U.S. Department of Justice found “serious concerns” with the Memphis Police Department’s “treatment of children and the lasting impact of police encounters on their wellbeing and resilience.” Officers arrested and handcuffed children as young as 8 years old.
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City of Memphis DOJ finds MPD discriminates against Black residents, violates civil rights
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges the Memphis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution.
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‘A rush to judgment’: Memphis won’t enter agreement with DOJ
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Education MSCS to pay $200K in settlement with banned activists
Five people who were banned from Memphis-Shelby County Schools for alleged disruption during a public meeting claimed the district violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
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Education Shelby County-MSCS announce funding for new Frayser high school
The funds would have to be allocated at the Shelby County Commission’s meetings on Dec. 11 and Dec. 16, the last two before the end of the year.
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EducationMSCS cut virtual teachers, but might have to bring them back
Memphis-Shelby County Schools began the year with hundreds of teacher vacancies, leaving thousands of Memphis students lacking a certified teacher.
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