Last-minute updates move MSCS takeover proposals toward compromise
Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, and Sen. Brent Taylor, R- Eads, don’t yet agree on the role of a new appointed board. Here’s what they’ve offered in new proposals aimed at a compromise.
Topic: Memphis-Shelby County Schools
RSSThere are 437 article(s) tagged Memphis-Shelby County Schools:
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April 2025
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Conaway: First-period civics – the school board mess
“Whatever happens next, however ill-conceived, will largely be the result of the hubris and selfishness of the majority of that school board, and the losers will be our city’s kids and our tomorrow.”
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New federal directive may punch $55M hole in MSCS plans
The U.S. Department of Education’s changed rules for remaining pandemic funds have thrown some funding for Memphis-Shelby County Schools building projects in limbo.
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New MSCS leader contract, school construction and state takeover
The Memphis education landscape is among the topics discussed on this week’s “Behind The Headlines.”
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New Frayser high groundbreaking a milestone for MSCS facility plan
“This is the rebuild and transformation of Frayser, but this is also a moment, a forerunner, of things to come,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who first proposed building the school five years ago.
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MSCS’ Richmond not bound by same ethics clause Feagins was
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members formalized a contract with Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond two months after appointing him to replace ousted Superintendent Marie Feagins.
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Tenn. House advances its version of Memphis school takeover
The measure, narrowed to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, would strip elected school board members of their duties and assign oversight of the district to a board of state-appointed Shelby County residents.
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How MSCS’ interim leader wants to change the district
After an audit highlighted issues with Memphis-Shelby County Schools, interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond has plans to transform the district, starting with reorganization. Board members are set to take up his interim contract Wednesday, April 2.
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March 2025
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County Commission delays vote on MSCS advisory group
Shelby County Commissioners are still divided over whether their earlier no-confidence resolution in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board led to plans to for a state takeover of the school system.
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Shelby County Commission goes deep on school, xAI actions
The Monday, March 31, County Commission meeting will be a busy one. On the agenda is an advisory board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools and a call for public hearings on xAI’s permitting process.
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Other school districts could be snared in state’s MSCS takeover plans
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.
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MSCS takeover bill would give power to Shelby County leaders
Eads Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor brought the proposal, which targets Memphis by taking aim at Tennessee school districts with high concentrations of poverty.
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State Comptroller set to pay $3 million for MSCS audit
The money to hire and pay an accounting firm to conduct the audit is part of Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget proposal.
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Why MSCS interim superintendent ‘would hate to see’ Tennessee takeover
Memphis-Shelby County Schools head Roderick Richmond denounced a state takeover proposal that would override authority of the elected board.
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McKinney: Proposed MSCS takeover is ‘opportunistic’
Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members argue the state has been trying to take over the school system for decades.
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Tennessee takes first step toward MSCS takeover
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.
Related story:
At MSCS, anti-takeover protestors condemn ‘attack on democracy’
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At MSCS, anti-takeover protestors condemn ‘attack on democracy’
A new state legislative proposal to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools drew immediate opposition from some local community, church and elected leaders.
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Legislation would strip MSCS board members of most duties and powers
The proposal would transfer authority to a state-appointed board for at least four years.
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Tennessee lawmakers to hear MSCS takeover proposal next Tuesday
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.
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Commission Scorecard: An inside look at voting on Regional One, MSCS
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners stands by its decision to cap county funding for Regional One Health’s new campus, and it looks to a forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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State MSCS audit would look for irregularities that need ‘legal action’
Such an audit could cost more than $2 million, according to a spokesperson for the Tennessee comptroller of the treasury.
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Efforts to recall and term-limit MSCS board members advance
Proposals have bipartisan support in the Tennessee General Assembly, and Shelby County commissioners appear supportive of local efforts to bring recall questions to voters.
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Guest column: What Memphis can learn from Houston’s school turnaround
“What we saw was inspiring — and it should serve as a roadmap for what’s possible here in Memphis, regardless if that’s through our local board of education or through state intervention.”
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February 2025
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Memphians speak out against potential state MSCS takeover
Speaking outside of the National Civil Rights Museum, a group of business and community leaders launched a coalition, arguing a state takeover would strip Memphians of the ability to govern their schools and make decisions for students.
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MSCS greenlights 2025-26 school calendar
Updates to the calendar aim to improve participation in parent-teacher conferences and align schedules with nearby municipal school districts.
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