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 151 articles by Laura Testino :
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.
Eads Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor brought the proposal, which targets Memphis by taking aim at Tennessee school districts with high concentrations of poverty.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools head Roderick Richmond denounced a state takeover proposal that would override authority of the elected board.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members argue the state has been trying to take over the school system for decades. Related content:
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. At MSCS, anti-takeover protestors condemn ‘attack on democracy’Related story:
A new state legislative proposal to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools drew immediate opposition from some local community, church and elected leaders.
The proposal would transfer authority to a state-appointed board for at least four years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Such an audit could cost more than $2 million, according to a spokesperson for the Tennessee comptroller of the treasury.
Proposals have bipartisan support in the Tennessee General Assembly, and Shelby County commissioners appear supportive of local efforts to bring recall questions to voters.
Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright identified three additional instances where Ford steered county funds to nonprofits federal investigators associated with an alleged kickback 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.
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.
Updates to the calendar aim to improve participation in parent-teacher conferences and align schedules with nearby municipal school districts.
Tennessee Rep. Mark White, the House Education Committee chair, has been working on the legislation for at least the last month.
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.
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. How the Memphis area is preparing for snow; what’s closed WednesdayRelated content:
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.
Memphis Police officers are investigating the 8-year-old’s death, but said Monday afternoon “there were no immediate signs of foul play.”
Jared Myracle is the first top-level departure since Marie Feagins’ controversial ouster as superintendent last month.
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.
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.