The AM/DM podcast: Is MSCS state takeover a land grab?

By , Daily Memphian Updated: April 29, 2026 6:27 AM CT | Published: April 29, 2026 6:27 AM CT

Last week, the Tennessee General Assembly approved a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The law allows the state to install an appointed board of nine members who then have control over the school system’s superintendent, its budget and even its elected board. 


MSCS board considers charter schools, audit response as state buttons up takeover law


In part two of our podcast about the takeover, reporter Laura Testino returns to talk about how churn factors in, what we can take from the school system takeover in Houston and what role school closures and land sales might play. 

Listen in.

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Topics

AM/DM MSCS takeover
Mary Cashiola

Mary Cashiola

Mary Cashiola has been a Memphis journalist for nearly two decades, beginning her career covering city government and local neighborhoods at the Memphis Flyer before being hired by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s administration. 

Before joining The Daily Memphian, she was the managing editor of the Memphis Business Journal, which was named one of the top 10 Best Designed Newspapers in the world by the Society of News Design while she was there. 

She also has a background in advertising, with a focus on higher education and the hospitality industry. 


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