In a first, state pulls Shelby County’s ability to issue bonds. That decision could mean consequences for new high schools, Regional One.
Shelby County issues debt to fund capital-improvement projects. The county allocated $150 million for the projects this fiscal year. Most of the money is budgeted toward new Memphis-Shelby County Schools high schools in Frayser (groundbreaking pictured) and Cordova, projects for the municipal school districts and a replacement for the Regional One trauma hospital. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Losing access to bonds could jeopardize funding needed to improve schools, a trauma hospital and upgrade 201 Poplar.
Topics
Shelby County Government Memphis-Shelby County Schools Tennessee ComptrollerLaura 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.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.