Why MSCS interim superintendent ‘would hate to see’ Tennessee takeover
Memphis-Shelby County Schools head Roderick Richmond denounced a state takeover proposal that would override authority of the elected board.
Laura Testino
Laura Testino is an enterprise reporter who writes about how public policy shapes Memphis. She is currently reporting from Frayser about education and housing. Please write her with your suggestions and story tips.
There are 149 articles by Laura Testino :
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March 2025
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EducationMcKinney: Proposed MSCS takeover is ‘opportunistic’
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members argue the state has been trying to take over the school system for decades.
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Education Tennessee takes first step toward MSCS takeover
A Tennessee subcommittee passed Rep. Mark White’s school takeover proposal. White suggested his proposal would have a new, narrowed focus on Memphis, likely allaying concerns from other school districts who could have become targets.
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At MSCS, anti-takeover protestors condemn ‘attack on democracy’
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Education At MSCS, anti-takeover protestors condemn ‘attack on democracy’
A new state legislative proposal to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools drew immediate opposition from some local community, church and elected leaders.
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State Government Legislation would strip MSCS board members of most duties and powers
The proposal would transfer authority to a state-appointed board for at least four years.
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Spirit of Memphis Memphis pastor Ricky Floyd remembered as ‘a true servant’
Floyd’s shooting death early Wednesday, March 12, stunned those closest to him and the thousands of people in Memphis and across the country who followed the teachings of the Pursuit of God Church pastor.
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State Government Tennessee lawmakers to hear MSCS takeover proposal next Tuesday
Memphis Republican Rep. Mark White, the bill’s sponsor, has yet to file his proposal as a legislative amendment, meaning the concrete details aren’t yet available to review.
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EducationState could scrap Achievement School District for new approach
The proposal calls for dissolving the ASD by the summer and implementing a new model by the next school year. In the most severe cases, it could mean the state-mandated closure of a chronically low-performing school.
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Education ‘Let children learn’: Opponents of bill targeting immigrant students protest in Berclair
The proposed legislation would allow public school districts to charge thousands of dollars in tuition if students can’t prove they are U.S. citizens or are in the country legally.
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EducationState MSCS audit would look for irregularities that need ‘legal action’
Such an audit could cost more than $2 million, according to a spokesperson for the Tennessee comptroller of the treasury.
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Education Efforts to recall and term-limit MSCS board members advance
Proposals have bipartisan support in the Tennessee General Assembly, and Shelby County commissioners appear supportive of local efforts to bring recall questions to voters.
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Shelby CountyFord Jr. steered more money to nonprofits, documents show
Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright identified three additional instances where Ford steered county funds to nonprofits federal investigators associated with an alleged kickback scheme.
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Shelby CountyHere are the nonprofits tied to Edmund Ford Jr.'s alleged bribery scheme
While the indictment does not name the nonprofits, The Daily Memphian analyzed meeting minutes from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and the Memphis City Council to determine which nonprofits were likely involved.
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February 2025
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EducationTeacher-contract hiccup inflames conflict-of-interest concerns about Keith Williams
A complaint renewed allegations of “double dipping” for Keith Williams, who serves as a school board member and the executive director of the organization that filed the grievance.
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Education MSCS greenlights 2025-26 school calendar
Updates to the calendar aim to improve participation in parent-teacher conferences and align schedules with nearby municipal school districts.
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EducationLegislation for state to take over MSCS still on table, lawmaker says
Tennessee Rep. Mark White, the House Education Committee chair, has been working on the legislation for at least the last month.
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EducationFormer Superintendent Feagins seeks MSCS board members’ phone records
Subpoenas request call logs and text messages from Marie Feagins’ first day as superintendent, until two days after she filed a lawsuit alleging board members violated Tennessee open meetings law in pursuit of ousting her.
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Education Memphis-area schools close due to winter weather
Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Shelby County’s municipal school districts have canceled classes as some 1-3 inches of snow and sleet are forecasted for Memphis overnight.
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How the Memphis area is preparing for snow; what’s closed Wednesday
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EducationNew audit says MSCS board lacks vision
The Council of the Great City Schools’ report found that a “recent legacy of leadership and organizational change” had contributed to “consistently low and stable” academic progress at Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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Metro Memphis second grader dies after collapsing on school playground
Memphis Police officers are investigating the 8-year-old’s death, but said Monday afternoon “there were no immediate signs of foul play.”
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Education MSCS literacy director resigns
Jared Myracle is the first top-level departure since Marie Feagins’ controversial ouster as superintendent last month.
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GermantownJudge allows Germantown schools to ban service dog
A federal judge said he would allow Germantown Municipal School District to maintain its ban of Herbie, a seizure-alert dog it claims has been more disruptive than helpful to a student with multiple disabilities.
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Spirit of MemphisShelly Rice created an enviable civic club in Frayser. Now he’s passing the mic.
Shelly Rice invited Mike Ellis, senior pastor of Frayser’s Impact Baptist Church, to helm the weekly Thursday meetings that have become the envy of other Memphis neighborhoods who crave consistent community engagement.
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EducationAfter 20 years, St. George’s will close its Memphis campus
The private school opened the third campus in an effort to diversify its student body. The Memphis campus could become a public school by the fall.
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Education Peer Power, without MSCS contract, seeks distance from Feagins suit
Without a revived contract with Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the Peer Power Foundation began working instead with area charter schools, board co-chair Dow McVean wrote in a public letter Wednesday.
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