Once at odds, two local lawmakers now agree how to ‘move forward’ with MSCS takeover
State Rep. Mark White hopes Tennessee legislative leadership is “ready to move” on an MSCS takeover bill when lawmakers reconvene Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Topic: Mark White
RSSThere are 164 article(s) tagged Mark White:
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January 2026
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What Memphians can expect in the 2026 TN General Assembly
School takeover, immigration and access to contraceptives are set to dominate the 2026 Tennessee General Assembly. Here's what Memphians should know ahead of the gavel.
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December 2025
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House GOP to push forward Memphis school takeover plan with ‘teeth’
If lawmakers can agree this year, change could come quickly to Memphis-Shelby County schools, which is already primed for major upheaval in 2026.
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October 2025
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Memphis lawmaker to lead national standardized test board
State Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) will lead the National Assessment Governing Board which oversees “the nation’s report card.”
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August 2025
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Opinion: Tennessee legislators lob insults but lack ideas
“With a striking sense of amnesia, the lawmakers are eager to take over Memphis’ school board, apparently forgetting the state has already taken over many low-performing schools and been unable to do anything to help them.”
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Two state lawmakers plan to push for MSCS takeover
Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor, both Republicans, propose the next steps for their bills that would give the state more power over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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June 2025
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MSCS demands evidence from House, Senate speakers alleging records crimes
Tennessee legislative leaders alleged that Memphis-Shelby County Schools was illegally destroying records ahead of a state-funded forensic audit, but MSCS officials “are unaware of any such alleged acts.”
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May 2025
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Sanford: Taylor, White put MSCS takeover bill in spin cycle
After the Memphis-Shelby County Schools takeover bills failed to make it to the finish line, state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, and state Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, changed their messaging.
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April 2025
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Opinion: Why state legislators decided to wait on MSCS oversight board
“Our decision to wait reflects our belief that effective reform must be evidence-based. Without the audit’s insights, we risk implementing solutions that are either too heavy-handed or insufficiently robust.”
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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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March 2025
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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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Opinion: For the children, educate undocumented students
“Educating children helps society to flourish. Denying education is a recipe for stagnation, more crime and increased misery for all.”
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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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February 2025
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Opinion: Local schools must meet demand of economic opportunity
“It’s the responsibility of administrators, teachers, parents and elected officials like myself to ensure children in Shelby County are receiving the high-quality education they deserve.”
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January 2025
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Lowery proposes commission have ‘direct role’ in MSCS spending
Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery said on “Behind The Headlines” that he would like to see the commission have line-item control of MSCS spending.
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County mayor in Nashville working on alternatives to MSCS takeover bill
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris was in Nashville on Monday trying to talk lawmakers out of a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. He says there are some alternatives being discussed.
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December 2024
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Activists, State Rep. discuss school board recall possibilities
During a Thursday press conference, Tennessee state Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, stopped short of committing to push legislation that would allow voters to recall Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members.
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TN lawmaker considering ‘all options’ for MSCS
More turmoil at Memphis-Shelby County Schools could bring back proposals for state intervention in Tennessee’s largest school district, a state lawmaker told The Daily Memphian.
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November 2024
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Tennessee K-12 school building costs escalate amid competing political priorities for education
Tennessee needs to spend about $9.8 billion on repairs, upgrades, or construction to keep its K-12 public school buildings safe and conducive to learning, according to a new state report.
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In two purple districts, blue challengers hope to unseat red incumbents
If Democrats are going to dent the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly, Districts 83 and 97 will be key.
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Political Roundup: Early voting tops 175k, and Nordstrom-White on school vouchers
Democratic and Republican partisans met Saturday, Oct. 26, on the parking lot of the county’s most popular early voting site while Trump supporters waved banners on Poplar Avenue. Four days of early voting remain.
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August 2024
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Whitehaven schools would have more freedom in proposed MSCS structure
“I think the autonomy should be left down there in the Whitehaven area so we can show y’all ... how to do these kids right,” Shelby County Probate Court Clerk Eddie Jones said.
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