Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Bri Hatch

Can the GOP Memphis schools takeover be stopped? Local leaders weigh the district’s options.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:52:03 -0500

Since Tennessee Republicans passed the takeover bill last week, community response has been muted. Some say that’s because there’s no recourse, but a district lawsuit could be on the horizon.

Federal judge orders immediate release of Memphis high school student detained by ICE

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:28:20 -0500

The 18-year-old Memphis Business Academy student was released Friday afternoon. He’d been held in ICE detention since his arrest on the way to a school soccer game.

Memphis school board election 2026: Who are the candidates in District 1?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:32:33 -0500

Two Memphis educators and one longtime board member are vying for the District 1 school board seat this spring. The May 5 Democratic primary will determine who wins the spot.

Meet the 5 people running for the Memphis school board election in District 9

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:32:00 -0500

The candidates vying for Memphis’ District 9 board seat range from a former board chair to the lone pro-state takeover candidate. The May 5 Democratic primary will determine who wins the spot.

Voter guide: Here are the Democratic Memphis school board candidates running in District 6

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:31:27 -0500

Five candidates are vying for the District 6 school board seat in the May 5 Democratic primary. The winner will face a sixth candidate, a longtime local pastor running as an independent, in August’s general election.

Meet the 2 Democrats running for Memphis’ school board election in District 8

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:30:44 -0500

A former Memphis teacher and longtime local lawyer are vying for the District 8 school board seat in the May 5 Democratic primary. The winner will face a third candidate, a school librarian running as an independent, in August’s general election.

Is Memphis pulling too many students with disabilities from taking state standardized tests?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:12 -0500

Memphis-Shelby County Schools designated 2,500 students with disabilities to take alternative state tests last year. That means 1,500 more than the federal cap are facing limited education paths.

These Memphis-area students are lobbying for mental health investments

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:00:07 -0500

The Shelby County Youth Council has spent the past six months crafting a list of almost 20 policy suggestions. Now, they’re trying to get those recommendations into county and city budgets.

Memphis families grapple with where to send students after approved school closures

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 04:00:09 -0600

The MSCS school board voted last week to shutter five schools by the end of this year. That leaves over 1,200 students to find a new place to go next fall, with the district extending its priority transfer deadline to accommodate last-minute changes.

Chronic absenteeism is down in Memphis schools, but high schoolers still struggle to show up

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:00:10 -0600

That means around 12,000 high schoolers would miss more than 10% or 18 school days in a year. That’s significantly higher than the statewide average.

Memphis students won’t have to make up snow days

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:29:26 -0600

The district received a waiver from the Tennessee Department of Education after taking two full weeks off of class. That exceeded MSCS’ built-in snow days by two, prompting the need for state assistance.

Tennessee GOP says ongoing Memphis schools audit is ‘concerning'

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 16:10:47 -0600

The district says state auditors haven’t presented any evidence of fraud or abuse to constitute further investment. Republican lawmakers didn’t name specifics either.

What would a Texas-style takeover look like for Memphis schools?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 04:00:09 -0600

The recent overhaul of the Houston, Texas public school district inspired Tennessee Republicans’ push to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

MSCS rehires custodial company after monthlong gap

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:08:23 -0600

For the past three weeks, nearly 35 MSCS schools have been without janitorial services because of the stalled contract.

Memphis parents say district shouldn’t close school with strong academic growth, low enrollment

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:26:01 -0600

Only 84 students attend Ida B. Wells Academy this year, leaving more than 400 available spots unfilled.

Who’s running in the 2026 Memphis school board election?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:42:49 -0600

Five incumbent Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members confirmed with Chalkbeat that they’re running for reelection.

Memphis leaders lay out reasons for second school closure proposal in Frayser neighborhood

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 04:00:05 -0600

Memphis parent Chajuana Williams said she would miss the family history embedded at Georgian Hills Elementary if district leaders decide to close the school in June.

Some Memphis schools won’t have custodians after board rejects contract again

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:18:20 -0600

With no more scheduled meetings and winter break rapidly approaching, it looks like around 35 Memphis schools will go without cleaning starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Over 30 Memphis schools could lose cleaning services in January after board rejects custodian contract

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 04:00:03 -0600

Board members said the company recommended by MSCS leaders has a history of poor service. It’s not the first time custodian contracts have caused issues.

First Memphis school closure meeting raises concerns about displaced teachers, students

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 10:16:22 -0600

The MSCS board is expected to vote on the suggested closures in February.