School board chairwoman Miska Clay-Bibbs said with so many questions about electronic devices for students, it's not yet time to vote on the purchase.

With an assist from ALSAC and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the University of Memphis plans to offer an interdisciplinary online master’s degree in nonprofit management, which could begin in January 2021.

Staff likely will not get 1.5% pay hike; tuition not expected to rise.

SCS board members agree that students need digital devices, but say they want a better plan from the school district.

It will be up to the state Legislature to set priorities on new education spending, such as a teacher pay hike, a scaled-down literacy initiative, and the state’s embattled education savings account program, the governor said.

Classes will be held on Labor Day; fall break will consist of one day. 

The nine-member commission would report its findings to the Legislature by Jan. 1, in the face of learning setbacks for school children, disruptions to university life and the likelihood of more school closures next year.

As lawmakers begin returning to the Capitol, they’ll face cratering revenues and the need to make deep cuts to Tennessee’s spending plan.

The school was unable to withstand the impact of a world pandemic, economic recession and competition from other schools.

Classes will be a combination of face-to-face and online; in some cases, double occupancy will be possible in dorms.

Memphis nonprofit will donate 1,300 summer learning kits for area children.

The Shelby County Health Department has advised against large in-person graduation ceremonies, according to a letter by Gary Lilly sent to Collierville seniors and parents.

“My sense was that the money should have been distributed in the same way we distributed Title I money. I think that’s what most of Congress was expecting,” the Tennessee Republican said, referring to the federal program that supports students from low-income families.

As our new normal emerges, we must remember that SCS students are children first, and admonitions of “social distancing” go against the very notion of being a child. Students need authentic opportunities to interact with one another, be seen, and be heard and we commit to making that happen.

Superintendent Joris Ray said a plan to return to school could be a mix of in-person and online instruction. It’s still not clear when the 2020-21 school year will start, but Ray said he expects to present a school re-entry plan in early July.

Decisions about payment and future tests are among scores of questions and adjustments that all states are dealing with after the pandemic shuttered schools nationwide before testing season got underway.

Should classes resume in school buildings, officials are considering the logistics necessary for social distancing, such as staggered school days where certain grades would go on certain days, splitting classes into half-day sessions and running more bus routes. 

Besides large-scale changes in the ways classes and labs are offered, UTHSC expects more funding cuts from Nashville.

At a price tag of about $1 million, the program marks the first major statewide investment in addressing learning loss due to the public health emergency.

Board members also approved a $65 million capital improvement budget — more than double the $25 million that the county mayor has proposed for school building needs.

Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request by SCS that would allow a 22,000 square-foot addition at Germantown Elementary School. Board members cited concerns with potential enrollment increases and traffic concerns.

Community service hours completed by St. Mary’s Community Fund students open new opportunities for a lifetime of service.

Teacher association leaders objected to the pause, saying the district was using the pandemic as an “excuse” and that Superintendent Joris Ray’s administration has not explored all options to funnel more money to teacher pay. 

Germantown Elementary wants to replace 10 portables with more classrooms in a 22,000-square-foot building. Although the district says it won't increase traffic neighbors have concerns.

Altogether, the budget proposal cuts 220 full-time positions and adds 199 part-time positions. It also sets aside $6 million for the 1% salary increase for teachers and licensed staff such as school counselors and psychologists.