Takeover plan would give state appointees sweeping power over Memphis schools
Rep. Mark White, R-Germantown, sits quietly during announcements at the opening session of the 2026 Tennessee General Assembly on Jan. 13, 2026, in Nashville. (Noah McLane/The Daily Memphian file)
Expanded board powers are among several new details of a proposed state takeover legislation targeting Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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Memphis-Shelby County Schools Tennessee General AssemblyLaura Testino
Laura Testino is an enterprise reporter on The Daily Memphian’s metro team who writes most often about how education policies shape the lives of children and families. She regularly contributes to coverage of breaking news events and actions of the Tennessee General Assembly. Testino’s journalism career in Memphis began six years ago at The Commercial Appeal, where she began chronicling learning disruptions associated with the pandemic, and continued with Chalkbeat, where she dug into education administration in Memphis. Her reporting has appeared in The New York Times, The Times-Picayune, The Tuscaloosa News and USA Today. Reach Laura with questions, story ideas or tips: Ltestino@dailymemphian.com or Ldtestino.54 on Signal.
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