Two Memphis-Shelby County Schools employees are finalists for state awards honoring their work in education.

The Shelby County Commission interviewed eight candidates who applied to replace former Memphis-Shelby County Schools board member Sheleah Harris during a committee meeting Wednesday, July 12.

The Memphis-Shelby County School board met for an academic committee meeting Tuesday to discuss education accessibility and progress for district students. 

One of Collierville’s assistant principals will be the next leader of Houston High School, and it’ll be something of a homecoming for her.

Faculty and students from HBCUs will partner with faculty and students from Rhodes on projects.

All Kids Academy is an internship program that trains U of M child development and family studies majors to educate Le Bonheur patients 5 years old and younger who are experiencing prolonged hospitalization. 

U of M executive vice president CFO-COO Raaj Kurapati will assume the position of executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer for UTHSC, a position formerly held by Kennard Brown.

“Tennessee is one of those states that has always prioritized education as number one so that’s why I’m so excited to be here,” said new Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds.

“Colleges are not typically just using race anyway — instead, they are typically considering race as one factor among many,” said a local law school professor. 

Four Bartlett High students are learning about some of the suburb’s inner workings during summer internships with the city.

The program gives Rhodes students a chance to work with community leaders and researchers to create projects about the Mid-South.

In-state undergraduate students at UTHSC, the largest educator of health care professionals in the state, can expect a 1.5% hike in tuition and mandatory fees and a 2% to 5% increase in housing, dining and parking fees. 

Scores in English language arts and social studies exceeded pre-pandemic levels, while student proficiency in math has not. 

“No children in America should be sitting in a classroom, sweltering in the summer and cold in the winter,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. “Every child should have a safe and comfortable learning environment so they can soar.”

Fewer than 4% of people that applied received Harvard University’s 2023-2024 Radcliffe Institute Fellowship. One of those who did is a U of M professor.

The MSCS school board discussed superintendent qualifications and additional considerations with Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates president Max McGee.

The school board voted to approve a contract extension for Interim Superintendent Toni William, with the stipulation that Williams has to give up her quest to be a permanent superintendent for MSCS. 

Collierville Schools adopted a policy that could help recruit teachers by waiving tuition in situations where hiring is a challenge.

Collierville Schools is considering one way to address its hard-to-fill positions, but the Board of Education has strong opinions on both sides of the issue.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will review Mayor Lee Harris’ proposed budget on Monday, and it includes increased funding for the suburban school districts.

“The best way to know your priorities is to figure out where you put your money,” MSCS Interim Superintendent Toni Williams said. “Our students are our priorities, and I’m extremely proud of this budget.”

Among the findings of a recent audit of MSCS were that the district overpaid a vendor without approval from the school board, that a district employee allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of lawn-care equipment and that one senior employee improperly received vacation time. 

Community activists from the Momentum Memphis Coalition called for action outside the MSCS school board.

An almost 3% increase represents the University of Memphis’ highest tuition hike in nearly seven years.

The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors began the process of cracking down on non-residents who file false information to benefit from the county’s services, particularly schools.