State Government
MSCS takeover bill would give power to Shelby County leaders
Eads Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor brought the proposal, which targets Memphis by taking aim at Tennessee school districts with high concentrations of poverty.
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 174 articles by Laura Testino :
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March 2025
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State Government -
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EducationOther school districts could be snared in state’s MSCS takeover plans
The Senate proposal would expand Tennessee’s voucher program to some rural and poor school districts, whether state officials believe other takeover measures are necessary or not.
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April 2025
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EducationHow MSCS’ interim leader wants to change the district
After an audit highlighted issues with Memphis-Shelby County Schools, interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond has plans to transform the district, starting with reorganization. Board members are set to take up his interim contract Wednesday, April 2.
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State Government Tenn. House advances its version of Memphis school takeover
The measure, narrowed to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, would strip elected school board members of their duties and assign oversight of the district to a board of state-appointed Shelby County residents.
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Education MSCS’ Richmond not bound by same ethics clause Feagins was
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members formalized a contract with Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond two months after appointing him to replace ousted Superintendent Marie Feagins.
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Education New Frayser high groundbreaking a milestone for MSCS facility plan
“This is the rebuild and transformation of Frayser, but this is also a moment, a forerunner, of things to come,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who first proposed building the school five years ago.
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EducationSeats at second U of M Campus School already filled
The soon-to-be former St. George’s Memphis has a waiting list — proof of high interest in the fledgling K-12 University Schools district, which has a 10-year goal of enrolling 5,000 students.
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EducationNew federal directive may punch $55M hole in MSCS plans
The U.S. Department of Education’s changed rules for remaining pandemic funds have thrown some funding for Memphis-Shelby County Schools building projects in limbo.
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EducationLast-minute updates move MSCS takeover proposals toward compromise
Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, and Sen. Brent Taylor, R- Eads, don’t yet agree on the role of a new appointed board. Here’s what they’ve offered in new proposals aimed at a compromise.
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EducationMSCS could sell Bayer Building, demolish several vacant schools
Former Superintendent Marie Feagins debuted the real estate plan in December weeks before school board chair Joyce Dorse Coleman first called for her ouster. Progress appears to have continued through the leadership tumult.
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State GovernmentMSCS takeover details likely left to special committee
A special committee of state lawmakers is expected to hammer out the details of a proposed takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools in a final push toward passing the legislation before the Tennessee General Assembly adjourns in the coming days.
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State Government MSCS avoids state takeover this year
Disagreements about what kind of authority an appointed board should have over the Memphis school system stopped the bill from advancing before lawmakers adjourned for the year.
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Education MSCS board members’ terms could be cut in half
Under a new law, Shelby County Commissioners have the power to term limit Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members and could put all nine board seats on the ballot in 2026.
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Public Safety Two dead after shooting in South Memphis
The scene of the shooting is one block away from two churches and a school.
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EducationAnalysis: Here are the Memphis school buildings in the worst shape
The Daily Memphian reviewed public records that illuminate the needs for Memphis-Shelby County Schools facilities. The assessments found about $40 million in immediate needs for the district, and some $1.38 billion in estimated upgrades.
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Education MSCS teachers to receive $2,000 bonuses this year
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board approved a resolution supporting private school vouchers, directed the superintendent to have local leaders weigh in on a facilities plan and did not censure board member Towanna Murphy for ethics violations.
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May 2025
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EducationWhat’s inside the MSCS interim superintendent’s 100-day plan
Memphis-Shelby County Schools interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond released a set of goals. But he told board members that accomplishing some of those goals will require more district reorganization.
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EducationFeagins to supporters: ‘Let’s go take some seats’ in Shelby County election
The Daily Memphian obtained audio and video excerpts of Marie Feagins’ “Take a Seat” event cohosted by former CNN news anchor Brooke Baldwin. Feagins advertised the event as being open to media, but The Daily Memphian’s ticket was refunded without explanation.
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EducationSell, lease, donate, demolish: MSCS may repurpose 10 buildings
Half of the deals would keep current charter school tenants in their buildings. Another Memphis-Shelby County Schools building could be a warehouse, and Elvis Presley’s alma mater could go to New Ballet Ensemble and School.
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Behind The Headlines Memphians ‘shocked’ at verdicts for ex-cops charged in Tyre Nichols’ death
“I think you could hear a pin drop in the courtroom when the judge read out the verdict: ‘not guilty, not guilty, not guilty,’ seven times, not guilty for each officer,” Memphis journalist Katherine Burgess said.
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EducationMSCS sues PowerSchool over data breach
The software company stores personal information for students and their families, including addresses and Social Security numbers.
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EducationAs Medical District High seniors graduate, they’re already juniors in college
The students graduated high school on Wednesday, and on Thursday received college diplomas from Southwest Tennessee Community College.
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EducationWill MSCS cut staff this year? Here’s what the proposed budget says.
What the Memphis-Shelby County Schools budget says about job cuts, additions.
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EducationShaping Frayser’s future: Libertas breaks ground on middle school campus
Construction begins on the public Montessori school’s $7.5 million expansion, revamping Southwest Tennessee Community College’s former Gill Campus building into a middle school with a kitchen and workshop for students.
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