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

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.

Memphis schools will give out free food boxes next Monday and Saturday

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 13:09:56 -0600

Memphis-Shelby County Schools will offer free food boxes next week to families in need during the holiday season.

Memphis parents say district is leaving deaf students behind

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:41:40 -0600

An MSCS parent who is deaf and volunteers at Sea Isle said students are also missing out on learning about deaf culture.

This Tennessee school is stepping up to feed local families cut off from SNAP

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 7 Nov 2025 04:00:07 -0600

Winchester Elementary opened its food pantry in March. The government shutdown means more Memphis families are going to the school for food.

In increasingly Hispanic Memphis schools, immigration enforcement surge brings fear, absences

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:11:30 -0500

Board member Amber Huett-Garcia said multiple high school teachers told her that students “have just stopped showing up.”

Fewer Memphis students are showing up to mental health assemblies. This state law may be to blame.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 04:00:11 -0500

MSCS Mental Health Director Donna Goings said attendance at suicide and bullying prevention trainings fell by two-thirds last year. That’s because most students don’t return parent permission slips required by a 2024 state law.

Tennessee school boards could face voter recalls under new bill

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 11:58:04 -0500

A newly filed Tennessee bill would allow dissatisfied voters to recall certain elected officials, including school board members.