Memphis-Shelby County Schools

A new Memphis group, Together4Students, supports a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools to achieve education goals like doubling high-performing schools by 2035. Founded by Henry Jones and Mark Sturgis, the group partners with Memphis Lift and seeks 2,500 petition signatures to end the district's lawsuit against the state oversight board.

A state audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools found $54 million in potential spending abuse and widespread document mismanagement under previous administrations. The audit, which led to a Republican-led state takeover temporarily blocked by a federal judge, highlighted issues in a 2022 custodial contract and identified $65 million in policy-violating spending.

Tennessee released a 667-page forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) identifying over $54 million in spending linked to potential fraud, waste, or abuse, including a controversial $48 million custodial contract with ServiceMaster Clean. The audit highlighted systemic management failures from 2021 to 2024, prompting resignations and an FBI referral, though the current MSCS leadership emphasizes reforms post-audit period.

A federal judge temporarily blocked a state takeover board's authority over Memphis-Shelby County Schools, preventing disruptions to contract payments and operations ahead of the 2026-27 school year. The court order aims to maintain the status quo as the district prepares for the August 3 start date.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Memphis school takeover board's authority, citing potential disruptions to the school year start. The order maintains the status quo before the new takeover law took effect, allowing the district to avoid operational delays.

Tennessee has established a state oversight board to control Memphis-Shelby County Schools, with MSCS funding the board members' $30,000 annual salaries. The board's operational costs may come from a state reserve fund of $500,000 to $1 million or amendments to MSCS' local budget, though details remain unclear. A lawsuit challenges the board's constitutionality.

Memphis students showed slight improvements in reading proficiency on state TCAP tests, particularly in third grade, but math scores declined, especially among middle schoolers. A state-appointed takeover board is now overseeing the district, which has focused on early literacy initiatives and curriculum changes to address academic challenges.

Parents in Memphis, led by the advocacy group Memphis Lift, support a new state law allowing political appointees to take control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, hoping for improved literacy, transparency, and better educational outcomes. The state board, set to assume power in July, will oversee district decisions, though some parents oppose potential school closures.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, along with the Shelby County Commission and nine board members, filed a federal lawsuit against Tennessee officials to block a state takeover law that transfers control from the local school board to a Republican-appointed oversight board. The lawsuit claims the law violates the Fourteenth Amendment and Tennessee Constitution by dismantling local governance and stripping budget approval authority from county government.

Billy Orgel, former Memphis-Shelby County school board chair, will lead the new oversight board overseeing the district's operations starting July 1. The board will control budgets, leadership, and academic decisions, potentially accelerating school closures. An ongoing audit identified financial irregularities, including $1.1 million in transactions flagged as waste or abuse.

Texas took over the Houston school district, leading to significant changes under Superintendent Mike Miles, including teacher reapplication, curriculum overhaul, and extended school hours. Tennessee Republicans cite Houston as a model for potential reforms in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, though critics question the effectiveness of these measures.

The state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools may lead to more school closures, mirroring actions in Houston and Fort Worth where state oversight prompted closures due to declining enrollment and aging facilities. Memphis schools have seen a 10,000-student enrollment drop over a decade, with plans to close up to 10 schools in the next two years amid financial and resource challenges.

Memphis charter students are outperforming traditional public schools in math recovery post-pandemic, with Leadership Preparatory Charter School increasing proficiency by over 20 percentage points since 2021 through a flexible, structured curriculum approach. Charter schools in Memphis saw math proficiency double the district-wide average, driven by partnerships with Teach Like A Champion and increased teacher autonomy. A SCORE report highlighted significant growth in charter schools, equivalent to 47 additional learning days annually, as the state prepares to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

The Memphis-Shelby County school board approved a $1.7 billion budget ahead of an impending state takeover. The state oversight board, appointed by top Republican leaders, will control final budget decisions for four years, but its ability to alter the proposed budget remains unclear. The budget includes teacher bonuses, school repairs, and cuts to pandemic-era support positions.

David Mansouri, president of Tennessee SCORE, has been appointed to a state-led oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The board, appointed by Republican state leaders, will control key district decisions for four years, including budget and superintendent hiring. The local school board may challenge the takeover, arguing it dilutes their authority.

Billy Orgel and Dedrick Brittenum Jr. have been appointed to a state-led oversight board overseeing Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The board, which will control key district decisions until 2030, includes members from various professional backgrounds, including business, law, and education.

Gov. Bill Lee appointed five members to a new Memphis schools oversight board, including former superintendent Dorsey Hopson and University of Tennessee trustee Shanea McKinney. The board will have authority over the district's budget and major decisions, starting July 1. The governor and top two Republicans in the General Assembly appointed the nine-person board.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed legislation granting political appointees control over Memphis-Shelby County Schools through a nine-person oversight board. The board, appointed by top state Republicans, will oversee academic challenges, budgets, and district operations, reducing local control. Critics argue the move undermines Memphis' Democratic-leaning community and ignores socioeconomic factors affecting school performance.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools will keep Ida B. Wells Academy open for at least one more year by relocating its students and staff to Norris Achievement Academy, despite a February vote to close the underenrolled school. The decision followed community support and concerns about the school's $6 million facility repair needs, though the district plans to close up to 10 schools by 2028.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is closing Ida B. Wells Academy, a K-8 school, due to underenrollment and costs. The district plans to transfer the school's program to Norris Achievement Academy, an alternative school, but uncertainty remains about how students and staff will transition. The final graduation ceremony highlighted both celebration and emotional farewells.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools propose a $1.7 billion 2026-27 budget, a reduction from $1.9 billion, as a state-appointed board prepares to assume financial control. The budget faces approval by the Shelby County Commission, but a state takeover awaiting Gov. Lee’s signature could delay implementation. Enrollment declines and funding tied to attendance rates are key concerns, alongside proposed teacher bonuses and school closures to address financial pressures.