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.

To comply with a new Tennessee law and federal efforts, the University of Memphis is eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the school, including the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis closes for good, although the building will still be used for classes.

The dozens of students who had been in limbo will be allowed to enroll for the fall semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 25.

Tennessee schools had interpreted a 2022 rule to mean students could not be removed before a formal behavioral assessment was completed. Now, schools can make removal decisions during the assessment or even before it has started.

The Daily Memphian’s chart includes scores for all public schools in Memphis and Shelby County, including charters and campuses in the suburbs.

Two DeSoto County schools have begun an innovative program to help students in younger grades do better in reading comprehension.

The Ghanaian government has made $1 million payment toward its debt at the University of Memphis for 185 students there but still owes $2.2 million.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools could install new security measures its staff say would prevent vandalism at its vacant buildings.

Twenty-four schools recently reported high lead levels in their water. Now, the local health department is offering free blood testing to exposed students.

A new Memphis-Shelby County Schools committee met for the first time Wednesday, Aug. 13, to guide looming decisions on school closures and consolidations, plus plans for repurposing facilities and building new ones.