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 163 articles by Laura Testino :
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.
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.
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.
Former Superintendent Marie Feagins claims in a new lawsuit that Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act in their pursuit to fire her. The violation, she claims, should void the vote to oust her.
If ICE officials come to school campuses, Memphis-Shelby County Schools officials have directed principals to ask for identification, the purpose for visiting and whether the official has a warrant or other documents.
City University School of Independence is among a handful of Memphis-Shelby County Schools charters farthest from initial enrollment goals.
The Daily Memphian obtained a document that shows Williams is banned from visiting schools in his capacity as a union leader for the duration of the investigation.
Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond, a career education administrator in Memphis, said he has interest in the permanent role.
The Daily Memphian analyzed the report that found Feagins violated an ethics clause in her contract eight times. Attorneys investigated a fourth, procurement-related claim, but could not substantiate it. Feagins plans legal challenge: ‘I’ll see them in court' Feagins removal prompts MSCS takeover proposals from state lawmakerRelated content:
“We’ve got several pathways,” Tennessee Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, told The Daily Memphian.
Marie Feagins’ tenure as superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is over. Feagins plans legal challenge: ‘I’ll see them in court' Feagins removal prompts MSCS takeover proposals from state lawmaker Memphians show up to support Marie FeaginsRelated content:
Feagins has denied wrongdoing, and issued a lengthy rebuttal to the board’s claims during a meeting on Jan. 14.
MSCS board members voted on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to name Roderick Richmond as interim superintendent moments after terminating former district head Marie Feagins.
The special-called meeting is set to include a report from unnamed “outside counsel” and, “if necessary,” a vote to select an interim superintendent for Memphis-Shelby County Schools.