That alleged abuse is largely associated with a single custodial contract that received elected board approval in 2022.

Even before a federal judge halted the state takeover of MSCS, it’s unclear whether the new oversight board had final-approval authority over any of the other contracts elected board members approved Tuesday. And the questions don’t stop there.

Related content:

Federal judge orders halt on MSCS takeover

MSCS forensic audit to include new TennCare review

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.

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.

A group of residents at Youth Villages received training and certification in forklift operations — preparation for a potential career.

Compare scores on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program tests by subject and student group for districts in Memphis and Shelby County.

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.

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

Suburban school districts have strong reading scores, according to Tennessee testing data.

Third graders in the Memphis district shined in one subject area, while math scores stagnated for elementary and middle school students.

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. 

“I know I have work to do,” Superintendent Russell Dyer said. “I know areas I need to get stronger in and areas I’m going to work on this upcoming school year.”

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

The new board overseeing Memphis-Shelby County Schools convened for the first time Thursday — in Nashville, with little notice, at 8:45 a.m. If the hope was to win over conflicted Memphians, this was a bizarre way to start.

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.

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

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

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

For Rhodes College, a small liberal arts college that prides itself on creating lifelong learners, apathy about reading can feel not just like a challenge but an affront to its mission. Here’s why students are reading less than ever — and what professors are doing about it.

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.

Commissioners suggest funding should go to existing schools in need of repairs.

The Lakeland school board conducted its annual review of Superintendent Ted Horrell’s performance, giving him high marks across numerous categories.

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.

The 275,000- to 300,000-square-foot facility is planned on Madison Avenue between the College of Pharmacy building and the demolished Holiday Inn building.

U of M in-state undergraduate students, the largest group of students at the school, will pay $11,760 in tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year.