Shelby County Schools reported 52 new COVID-19 cases among students and 7 among staff at its public and charter schools this week, just as the first children between 5 and 11 years old are receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

Collierville Schools approves a resolution that cites several concerns with bill.

The University of Memphis’ third and final candidate for presidency is Teik Lim, the interim president at the University of Texas at Arlington and a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. 

The third candidate’s information will be distributed Tuesday, Nov. 2, for the Nov. 4 open sessions.

On the WKNO program “Behind The Headlines,” Natalie McKinney and Terence Patterson also called for a move away from the idea that school choice for parents involves getting students to schools in other parts of the city.

Legislators voted to allow, but not require, partisan school board elections. The legislature also reviewed a number of bills related COVID-19 measures.

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Shelby County Schools reported 68 new COVID-19 cases among students and 20 new cases among staff at its public and charter schools this week. 

Cammy Abernathy, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida, is one of three finalists for the University of Memphis presidency, according to a statement posted to the university’s website. She will visit the campus Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The Maxine A. Smith University Center commemorates the civil rights activist’s efforts to desegregate schools and universities in Memphis. 

As Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn made her latest stop at the National Civil Rights Museum Thursday night, she was met with a resounding message from local parents, advocates and educators. 

The finalists for the University of Memphis presidency have been selected and will be on campus next week, Nov. 1-5, according to an update by Carol Roberts, the chair of the presidential search committee. 

SCS’ October board business meeting discussed an uptick in violence, as well as the upcoming town hall for education funding. 

Bills are proposing making school board elections partisan. Some educators question the move.

In the latest of several ceremonies across the county, Tennessee State University and Shelby County Schools recognized hundreds of students Monday who are being awarded scholarships by the university.

Bornblum Jewish Community School hosts event to encourage students to get outdoors as well as raising funds for learning. 

The ruling mirrors those by federal judges in Memphis and Knoxville, where Lee’s order is also blocked. As a result, school districts in Shelby, Williamson and Knox counties can continue enforcing mask policies. 

One staff case was reported at a charter school in the district.

The Tennessee Department of Education is hosting a series of town halls, including one at the National Civil Rights Museum next week, to invite the public to give input for their review of the public education funding strategy. 

Partnership for a Healthier America will work with Shelby County Schools to provide fresh fruits and vegetables weekly to families participating in the program. Family members will receive at least two servings of produce per day. 

Only 13% of its Black students graduate in six years, compared to 50% or more for other races.

The SCS sub-contract with Porter-Leath for Head Start services was abruptly terminated this summer with each entity going its own way in providing the services. But county commissioners heard a lot of opposition from SCS about Early Head Start funding to the nonprofit Monday.

Meanwhile, the Shelby County Election Commission has underlined with a resolution that it needs to have redistricting maps for the school board and the Shelby County Commission no later than Nov. 8 to be ready for the 2022 county elections.

Low evaluations in graduate medical education programs underline need for better supervision, said Chancellor Dr. Steve Schwab.

As part of its plan to overhaul the state education funding model, the Tennessee Department of Education announced 18 subcommittees of education leaders and stakeholders.