4 things to know as the Memphis-schools state-takeover lawsuit progresses
More than three months after Memphis school leaders sued over Tennessee’s takeover law, the case’s first full hearing is set for Oct. 2 in Nashville.
Topic: MSCS
RSSThere are 169 article(s) tagged MSCS:
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September 2026
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April 2026
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Inside the world of Senior Assassin, the all-consuming game being played by high school seniors
Some seniors at local high schools are playing a game called Senior Assassin, crouching behind bushes, stalking other students in stores and wearing swim gear to protect themselves.
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MSCS makes Richmond official as audit results loom
Richmond’s contract allows the board to fire him for cause without any pay if he earns poor marks for business management or fails to implement required corrective action plans related to the incoming audit results.
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March 2026
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These Memphis-area students are lobbying for mental health investments
The Shelby County Youth Council has spent the past six months crafting a list of almost 20 policy suggestions. Now, they’re trying to get those recommendations into county and city budgets.
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How an East High student who liked to wear suits became a CEO who sports one every day
When Cortney Richardson was a sophomore in high school, he started working with a fledgling nonprofit, Peer Power, as a tutor. Now he’s running the organization.
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February 2026
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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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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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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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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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December 2025
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Who’s running in the 2026 Memphis school board election?
Five incumbent Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members confirmed with Chalkbeat that they’re running for reelection.
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Some Memphis schools won’t have custodians after board rejects contract again
With no more scheduled meetings and winter break rapidly approaching, it looks like around 35 Memphis schools will go without cleaning starting Jan. 1, 2026.
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November 2025
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MSCS board, employees asked to grade Richmond as superintendent
Richmond is just over halfway through his 18-month interim superintendent contract, which ends July 31. Absent from the school board’s discussions about his evaluation, however, were comments about future permanent leadership of the district.
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Memphis schools will give out free food boxes next Monday and Saturday
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will offer free food boxes next week to families in need during the holiday season.
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Memphis parents say district is leaving deaf students behind
An MSCS parent who is deaf and volunteers at Sea Isle said students are also missing out on learning about deaf culture.
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October 2025
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Tennessee graduation rate improves for third straight year
Tennessee graduation rates had steadily risen for about 10 years before the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions triggered a three-year slide in the state.
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County Commission to vote Monday on override of mayor’s veto
Mayor Lee Harris vetoed the commission’s September vote that would move all nine Memphis-Shelby County Schools board seats to the 2026 ballot, shortening the four-year terms of office of five of the school board members elected last year.
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September 2025
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How much could it cost to upgrade each MSCS school?
Assessments of Memphis-Shelby County Schools' buildings estimated repair costs throughout the next 10 years. Costs to keep buildings in shape are expected to be among the factors that determine which Memphis schools may close.
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Memphis teacher vacancies decline, but district still struggles to hire certified educators
Memphis-Shelby County Schools cut teacher vacancies by hundreds compared with this time last year, thanks to a bolstered HR team, an official said. More than 200 new hires hold conditional licenses, which expire in three years.
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August 2025
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Memphis students outpace state growth in reading and math, but lag in social studies
Memphis-Shelby County Schools earned the highest score in the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System for the fourth year in a row. But younger students lost progress in social studies, falling behind expected growth.
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Memphis-Shelby County Schools has a lot going on. Here are 5 things to watch.
MSCS board members start another academic year with a temporary district leader, as state takeovers loom, school closures are expected, and new policies could take hold.
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July 2025
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Memphis school board gives green light to new cellphone ban days before classes start
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.
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MSCS’ Feagins narrowly survives ouster attempt
However, the termination proceedings will continue into the new year and be decided in the board’s business meeting at the end of January.
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June 2025
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MSCS board approves $12.3M in property sales, finalizes new buildings team
Final votes from the school board on Tuesday, June 24, moved four properties toward final sales and all other district property toward a final plan for school closures and consolidations.
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MSCS to sell $12M of property, but building donations, demolitions paused
MSCS board members are poised to finalize four property sales in June, one each in northeast Shelby County, Parkway Village, South Memphis and Whitehaven.
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Here’s who could help make decisions about closing MSCS schools
How many schools should MSCS operate in order to best serve its students and families, and where should those buildings be located?
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