Months after Tennessee launched its first statewide voucher program, the Tennessee Department of Education won’t say how many students are using it to attend private school.

Collierville Schools is hoping cell service is soon improved in the high school area. District leaders also heard an update on two sites they are purchasing. 

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.

University officials said the school’s incoming freshmen averaged a 3.63 GPA, which officials said was the highest since the school began tracking that data in 2004.

Drones, hot air balloons and a student-made wind tunnel were part of a hands-on demonstration of what kids could be learning in the classroom.

“Last year, they made it pretty clear to me they’re spending all the money on the private school vouchers. They said: ‘We don’t have any money left because we spent it all.’”

Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond’s administration is expected to produce a list of schools to close or consolidate later this month, and at least one board member said there’s no need to keep kicking the can down the road. 

MSCS received one bid for the property on 3030 Jackson Ave. from New Day Tennessee, which seeks to create a workforce development training ground for teens aging out of foster care across the state.

MSCS is required by state law to screen every student for signs of dyslexia, but Tennessee allows only an outside provider, such as a licensed psychologist, to give an official dyslexia diagnosis.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools said several cases of the disease were confirmed at Sherwood Elementary.

The closure proposals, set for the school board’s review in the coming weeks, will be the first part of a larger plan that’s now expected in December. A committee recently reviewed the types of data that district officials will rely upon to determine which schools will be slated to close.

Several donors supporting the renovations at the private school for girls gave in memory of Eliza “Liza” Fletcher, the former student and teacher who was killed three years ago in Memphis after being kidnapped during a morning run.

Roderick Richmond, the interim leader of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, pointed to failures of Tennessee’s state-run Achievement School District during a town hall meeting opposing takeover of the school system.

“I think it’s incredible that with all the things going on in our country, that we’ve had record fundraising,” said a board member. “... We’re going to have to ride (our fundraisers) really hard and look for our community to help us.”

Although some in the University of Memphis community are angry with President Bill Hardgrave over the recent end of the school’s DEI efforts, the school’s Board of Trustees awarded him a $100,000 performance bonus Wednesday.

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.

“I’m here because eventually this is going to affect us all,” one protester said.

Damon Curry Morris, a frequent critic of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, faces a misdemeanor charge for violating a restraining order brought by MSCS board member Stephanie Love, according to police and court records.

In response to a Tennessee law, school leaders in Germantown and Collierville adopted rules related to students’ personal devices.

The University of Memphis started classes this week, but in the run-up to the fall semester, we learned that it was closing its Office of Multicultural Affairs, in accordance with state law. 

The district is dealing with teacher vacancies and laptop problems, but otherwise reports a “smooth” first day of school.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools leaders say they need the money as facility issues grow. But some students are protesting the company’s investment due to pollution concerns.

Real estate company Newmark listed the campus for sale, according to its website.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools has offers to purchase Humes Middle School in North Memphis from public utility Memphis Light, Gas and Water and local dance studio New Ballet Ensemble and School. 

As Porter-Leath works to enroll thousands more prekindergarten students, early-childhood education organization First 8 Memphis is continuing efforts toward free, quality classrooms for kids.