MSCS could challenge state takeover in court
Republican sponsors of the bill have said they’ll push the Tennessee General Assembly to pass legislation that would kneecap the elected board by giving a new board of state appointees powers over MSCS.
Topic: Memphis-Shelby County Schools
RSSThere are 546 article(s) tagged Memphis-Shelby County Schools:
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February 2026
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These five Memphis schools will close this summer
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members voted to close five campuses at the end of the school year. The decision impacts 2,650 students and staff, and could be the first round of a total 15 school closures within three years.
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Busy year of hiring, firing, reassigning led to payroll problems at MSCS, audit finds
The regular audit is separate from the state-ordered forensic audit of the Memphis school system. The forensic audit is underway.
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Chronic absenteeism is down in Memphis schools, but high schoolers still struggle to show up
That means around 12,000 high schoolers would miss more than 10% or 18 school days in a year. That’s significantly higher than the statewide average.
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MSCS could close five schools to students with Tuesday board vote
District officials estimate 2,650 students would go to a new school or get new classmates, a smaller figure than it could be. That’s because many of the students who are zoned to attend the schools don’t, according to district data obtained and reviewed by The Daily Memphian.
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This fall, MSCS regains two campuses and Tennessee’s state-run turnaround district ends
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will resume control of the final charter schools in the state-run Achievement School District, a largely unsuccessful effort to boost academic achievement in the state’s chronically low-performing schools.
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More than 300 students are in limbo as a charter school fights for its future
A court order is keeping Memphis-Shelby County Schools from shutting down a South Memphis charter elementary school for now. But a history of low performance is raising a question: Should it close?
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New plan means results of high-stakes MSCS probe will be ready in March
State lawmakers voted to fund the audit last spring. No initial findings of wrongdoing prompted it; rather, lawmakers bolstered a smaller effort from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners who were frustrated by the school board’s ouster of former Superintendent Marie Feagins.
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Feagins case against MSCS returns to square one
Her lawsuit requests she be restored to the superintendent seat or paid severance as outlined in her contract.
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MSCS has a new superintendent. Will its vote toward ‘stability’ be short-lived?
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members scrapped a search in favor of appointing Roderick Richmond as superintendent. Threats of state takeover loom over its split decision to stabilize the district after years of leadership tumult.
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Memphis students won’t have to make up snow days
The district received a waiver from the Tennessee Department of Education after taking two full weeks off of class. That exceeded MSCS’ built-in snow days by two, prompting the need for state assistance.
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Lawmakers’ criticism of MSCS finances ‘premature,’ Richmond says
Republican lawmakers who were briefed on preliminary information from a state-funded forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools are drawing “premature” conclusions, interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond said.
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Believe Memphis weighs closure allowing Grizzlies Prep a larger South Memphis campus
The potential relocation would give Grizzlies Prep students, currently about 300 boys, a campus with a gym and outdoor spaces. It also would provide a facility for the charter operator to open its new all-girls school.
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Tennessee GOP says ongoing Memphis schools audit is ‘concerning’
The district says state auditors haven’t presented any evidence of fraud or abuse to constitute further investment. Republican lawmakers didn’t name specifics either.
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MSCS used all its snow days. What happens now?
Memphis-Shelby County Schools used up its eighth and final snow day on Wednesday, Feb. 4 — then closed for Thursday.
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January 2026
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Winter storm delays MSCS’ superintendent decision
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members said they would soon determine permanent leadership for the district. But will it be by search or an appointment?
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Icy streets keep schools closed for a third day
MSCS isn’t anticipating implementing remote or hybrid learning options available under state law.
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Is Richmond in or out? MSCS board decides next week.
Roderick Richmond’s evaluation results — including teachers' opinions on the interim leader — are in. He took over the district after former superintendent Marie Feagins was removed by the board in Jan. 2025.
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What would a Texas-style takeover look like for Memphis schools?
The recent overhaul of the Houston, Texas public school district inspired Tennessee Republicans’ push to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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MSCS rehires custodial company after monthlong gap
For the past three weeks, nearly 35 MSCS schools have been without janitorial services because of the stalled contract.
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MSCS adds Shelby County Commission to ballot lawsuit
The MSCS board’s new complaint makes a special case for board member Tamarques Porter of District 4 who “will suffer a unique harm.”
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Elon Musk wants to fund more improvements to MSCS school buildings
This time, the Musk Foundation has proposed funding upgrades at three elementary schools.
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What a changing Head Start grant has to do with possible pre-K closures in Memphis
Instead of expanding pre-K access, classrooms may close if Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris doesn’t release local funding, prekindergarten organization First 8 says.
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Once at odds, two local lawmakers now agree how to ‘move forward’ with MSCS takeover
State Rep. Mark White hopes Tennessee legislative leadership is “ready to move” on an MSCS takeover bill when lawmakers reconvene Tuesday, Jan. 13.
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Election Commission hits the brakes for certain MSCS seats, citing judicial order
The Shelby County Election Commission will stop issuing petitions for five MSCS seats in response to an order from a local judge.
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