MSCS, Shelby County file federal lawsuit over Tennessee’s takeover law
Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Shelby County government allege Tennessee’s school takeover law unconstitutionally targets Memphis.
Laura Testino
There are 350 articles by Laura Testino :
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June 2026
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Update
EducationMemphis developer Billy Orgel will chair Memphis schools takeover
Appointees have sweeping powers over decisions of the elected board and the district until 2030. But Thursday’s decisions focused more on establishing the new board’s own systems and operations rather than decisions about MSCS business — including who will lead the district.
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EducationWho’s on the Memphis-Shelby County Schools state takeover board?
Here are short biographies of the appointees to the state takeover board, which will have sweeping powers over Memphis-Shelby County Schools through 2030.
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Shelby County Tami Sawyer suspended as clerk, Stanton appointed as interim
General Sessions Court judges suspended their clerk with pay two days after she made her first court appearance on federal theft, wire fraud and money laundering charges.
Related content:
Tami Sawyer indictment renews Republican push for state intervention
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Education First Memphis schools takeover meeting set for Thursday in Nashville
An agenda for the meeting calls for election of officers on the state oversight board, as well as the appointment of committees.
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Education Sexton selects final member of MSCS takeover board on eve of first meeting
House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s second appointee, former Memphis teacher and Tennessee Teacher of the Year, completes the state’s takeover board.
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Education A new act for Humes: Arts and tech school planned for Elvis’ alma mater
Local dance director Katie Smythe’s new performing arts school recently bought Humes Middle, Elvis Presley’s alma mater in North Memphis.
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Education Frayser high has a name — but it won’t be the only new school for the neighborhood
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members settled on a name for the district’s new high school in Frayser. Neighborhood charter school Libertas is also set to expand into high school grades.
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May 2026
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Education MSCS approves final budget before takeover oversight begins
The $1.7 billion plan for Memphis-Shelby County Schools could be shaken up by a new board of state appointees during the 2026-27 academic year.
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City of Memphis Sexton adds to McNally’s takeover appointees, taps education-policy leader
Lt. Gov. McNally selected a former MSCS board member and a local attorney for the school takeover board. House Speaker Sexton tapped the leader of a Nashville-based education-policy group to the board.
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Education Hallmarks of Houston takeover aren’t guaranteed for Memphis schools
To succeed under Tennessee’s takeover metrics, appointees to the Memphis schools oversight board will likely focus on the district’s lowest-performing schools. Experts say that could result in tremendous academic growth for poor students — or closures of their schools.
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State Government Here’s who Gov. Lee tapped for Memphis schools takeover board
Among Gov. Lee’s five appointments to a Memphis schools takeover board are a former Memphis superintendent and former president of the Memphis Chamber.
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Education Only MSCS 3rd graders at risk of retention to retake TCAP exam on last days of school
Memphis-Shelby County Schools changed its plan for all third graders to retake the statewide exam days before summer break.
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State Government Lee sends Memphian back to Tennessee’s education board in new congressional district
The appointment leaves a vacancy in the 9th Congressional District seat on the State Board of Education, which has an increasingly large role to play in setting the standards for success at Tennessee schools.
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State Government State GOP proposes splitting Memphis into three Congressional districts
The map would make all nine of Tennessee’s seats Republican-leaning districts.
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Education Two Memphis charter schools take different paths toward closure for academics
South Memphis charter schools Believe Memphis Academy and Memphis Delta Preparatory Charter School each received a Tennessee “priority” designation for low performance earlier this school year.
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Education MSCS extends attorney’s contract as it prepares for legal challenge of takeover
The contract extension for attorney Justin Bailey would keep him employed with the district for at least three more years.
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State GovernmentNew congressional map could thwart Memphis representation on state boards
The Tennessee State Board of Education is among at least five state boards that appoint members in alignment with the congressional map.
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EducationAll Memphis third graders to retake TCAP reading exam on last days of school
For some students, improved scores could excuse them from summer school and tutoring interventions required by a state reading retention law.
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2026 elections
ElectionsTwo incumbents among winners in school board primaries
As a state takeover looms, voters retained two Memphis-Shelby County Schools incumbents seeking re-election, according to unofficial election results from the board’s first-ever partisan primaries held Tuesday, May 5.
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Shelby County County Commission approves $200K in funding for MSCS takeover lawsuit
Shelby County commissioners voted to take money from county reserve funds to pay the possible cost of suing the state over a pending state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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April 2026
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Education MSCS board meets under shadow of state takeover
The board talked about charter schools, contracts and a response to the state audit at what may have been the final meeting before a state oversight board is appointed.
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Education MSCS board approves teacher raises for 2026-27 school year
On average, Memphis-Shelby County Schools teachers will see a 3.9% increase in their pay next year, not including bonuses, according to the district’s top business and finance official.
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State Government Tennessee lawmakers pass MSCS takeover
The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives both voted down party lines Wednesday, April 22, to pass a takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
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Education MSCS board votes to sue over state takeover proposal
The MSCS board’s resolution claims that Tennessee lawmakers’ takeover proposal “directly conflicts with established constitutional provisions and statutory requirements.”
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