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MSCS forensic audit to include new TennCare review

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 16:12:10 -0500

Auditors reviewed three years of Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ finances and its current internal controls, prompted by lawmakers’ request for an audit in 2025. A final report is expected July 8.

Federal judge orders halt on MSCS takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 18:26:08 -0500

A federal judge has ordered Tennessee to halt its takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. In the wake of that order, the state oversight board canceled its Wednesday afternoon meeting.

MSCS sues takeover appointees as oversight board votes to hire attorney

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:05:32 -0500

Attorneys for Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Shelby County government expanded their lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s takeover of the school district to include appointees to the new oversight board.

MSCS takeover board may hire attorney, director

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:26:01 -0500

State appointees to a board responsible for taking control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools also plan to make information requests of Superintendent Roderick Richmond.

MSCS set to renew contracts with PowerSchool, i-Ready

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:03 -0500

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members seem poised to renew contracts with some education service providers facing pushback during a meeting on Tuesday, June 23.

MSCS, Shelby County file federal lawsuit over Tennessee's takeover law

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:08:34 -0500

Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Shelby County government allege Tennessee’s school takeover law unconstitutionally targets Memphis.

Memphis developer Billy Orgel will chair Memphis schools takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:53:28 -0500

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.

Sexton selects final member of MSCS takeover board on eve of first meeting

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:54:15 -0500

House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s second appointee, former Memphis teacher and Tennessee Teacher of the Year, completes the state’s takeover board.

First Memphis schools takeover meeting set for Thursday in Nashville

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:54:36 -0500

An agenda for the meeting calls for election of officers on the state oversight board, as well as the appointment of committees.

A new act for Humes: Arts and tech school planned for Elvis' alma mater

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:28:43 -0500

Local dance director Katie Smythe’s new performing arts school recently bought Humes Middle, Elvis Presley’s alma mater in North Memphis.

Frayser high has a name — but it won’t be the only new school for the neighborhood

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:48:09 -0500

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.

Memphis charter students are bucking district math trends. Here’s what’s guiding their growth.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 04:00:01 -0500

In examining post-pandemic learning loss, officials at Leadership Preparatory Charter School came to a realization: Teachers were following scripted math curriculum a bit too closely.

MSCS approves final budget before takeover oversight begins

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 26 May 2026 21:49:01 -0500

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.

Sexton adds to McNally's takeover appointees, taps education-policy leader

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 26 May 2026 16:01:21 -0500

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.

Here's who Gov. Lee tapped for Memphis schools takeover board

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:11:20 -0500

Among Gov. Lee’s five appointments to a Memphis schools takeover board are a former Memphis superintendent and former president of the Memphis Chamber.

Only MSCS 3rd graders at risk of retention to retake TCAP exam on last days of school

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:58:18 -0500

Memphis-Shelby County Schools changed its plan for all third graders to retake the statewide exam days before summer break.

Lee sends Memphian back to Tennessee’s education board in new congressional district

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 19 May 2026 08:43:14 -0500

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.

The AM/DM podcast: A week for Hope?

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Mon, 18 May 2026 06:38:38 -0500

As we prepare to go into our new work week, it’s with summer on our minds.

Hallmarks of Houston takeover aren’t guaranteed for Memphis schools

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 26 May 2026 11:35:15 -0500

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.

Here's who received new Tennessee vouchers

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:59:57 -0500

Data indicates that relatively few lower-income families applied or were eligible to participate in the program.