Of the 10 cabinet members who remain from the previous administration, six received raises since the beginning of the calendar year — increases ranging from about 4% to 31%, according to district data. The other four did not receive raises.

“The state has pretty clear criteria for what an academic plan should look like, what an operational plan should look like and what a financial plan should look like. None of those schools really met that criteria,” said Bradley Leon, Shelby County Schools chief of strategy and performance management. 

Shelby County School's $1.4 billion budget was approved Thursday by the County Commission. The district had asked for a $7.5 million funding increase, but the commission did not increase its maintenance of effort funding to the schools.

At Elemento in Crosstown Concourse, Adrian Arcuri makes his own mozzarella and burrata. Making burrata is a fun experience, but you can also buy it the cheese counter at several local grocery stores. Paired with olive oil and a ripe tomato, it makes a perfect summer dinner.