Rodriguez previously served as assistant director of campus life at Northwestern University, where she worked the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE).

Lee and Schwinn gave few details about whether or how much the state would increase funding for schools. But Lee said he suspects the state will increase funding, and will have the proposal ready for the state legislature when it meets in January.

Shelby County Schools is revisiting the idea of a “peace force,” an internal police department reporting directly to the district, following last week’s shooting at Cummings K-8 Optional School.

Shelby County Schools has announced that employees can receive up to 10 consecutive days of paid sick leave while in isolation following a positive COVID-19 test. 

Three federal judges have said the mask opt-out order is unlawful, but analysts say it doesn’t matter. Lee can still say he tried.

Here are a few options that parents have taken after opting out of traditional, in-person schooling. 

Shelby County Schools reported 165 new COVID-19 cases among students and 30 among staff at the district-managed public and charter schools for the week of Sept. 24-30.

The shooting at Cummings K-8 Optional School Thursday morning came after the two 13-year-old boys met up to fight, according to a police report. The accused is being detained until his next court date Oct. 12.

Antonio Burt, the chief of schools for Superintendent Joris Ray’s SCS administration, is leaving his post to become chief executive officer of KIPP Memphis, a local charter network that operates five schools in North Memphis.

The opt-out policy has been blocked in three metro counties, including Shelby County.

A 13-year-old student at Cummings K-8 is expected to make a full recovery after being shot at school. Another 13-year-old is under investigation, and will face a charge of criminal attempt first degree murder. 

A University of Memphis high school has been approved to open next school year, despite the urges of two SCS board members who pushed for establishment of protocols and further discussion about the school. 

Despite the learning loss that students faced after losing about a year of in-classroom instruction, the Tennessee Department of Education’s school report cards have designated six schools in the Memphis area as reward schools.

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced good news last week — new summer literacy and math programs were a statewide success, with students seeing significant progress. But, some teachers and Democrats questioned the results, saying it’s too early to celebrate the data.

In a surprise ceremony in the school’s gym, Tennessee State University granted scholarships to the entire senior class at Middle College High School.

FCS was informed the student had been out of school since Aug. 16 due to an unrelated issue before being diagnosed with coronavirus, according to FCS spokesperson Erica Williams.

Shelby County Schools is offering meals for students who are in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. Parents can pick up the meals each morning in a drive-thru at the schools.

SCS Superintendent Joris M. Ray and Deputy Superintendent Angela Whitelaw joined Behind the Headlines to discuss what the full return to school buildings looks like and what the district is doing to keep students safe. 

Shelby County Schools reported 516 new COVID-19 cases among students and 69 among staff at the district’s public and charter schools.

Federal Judge Sheryl Lipman ruled Friday morning ruled that the mask mandate in K-12 schools in Shelby County is lawful.

Compromise possible but lawyers say it’s more likely restraining order will be extended.

Germantown has named its first student board member. She will serve a one-year term in an advisory non-voting role.

The Memphis Grizzlies unveiled a newly renovated library Tuesday morning at Gordon Achievement Academy, the two-time winner of the team’s “Read to Achieve” contest.

An email to the campus community from interim president Carroll Stevens last week acknowledged incidents “that have contributed to our campus community feeling unsafe, particularly for Black and Jewish students.”

Lakeland School System (LSS) Superintendent Ted Horrell is the 2022 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year, the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents announced.