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Here's who received new Tennessee vouchers

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:59:57 -0500

Data indicates that relatively few lower-income families applied or were eligible to participate in the program.

Growing district, growing budget: Bartlett City Schools approves $115 million budget

mwaddell@dailymemphian.com (Michael Waddell) — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:09:58 -0500

Bartlett City Schools is considering its annual fiscal year budget with a bump in salaries while trying to work on expensive special education programs.

Two Memphis charter schools take different paths toward closure for academics

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:59:35 -0500

South Memphis charter schools Believe Memphis Academy and Memphis Delta Preparatory Charter School each received a Tennessee “priority” designation for low performance earlier this school year.

MSCS extends attorney's contract as it prepares for legal challenge of takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:21:55 -0500

The contract extension for attorney Justin Bailey would keep him employed with the district for at least three more years.

MUS names next head of school

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 9 May 2026 16:16:07 -0500

Hart Roper will succeed Pete Sanders, who announced in January that he would retire at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.

More than $800K earmarked for young entrepreneurs

sbohnel@dailymemphian.com (Steve Bohnel) — Thu, 7 May 2026 08:01:33 -0500

EpicenterU, a partnership between Epicenter, Arkansas State University and the Delta Regional Authority, will provide about $812,000 in grant funding for student entrepreneurs.

Two incumbents among winners in school board primaries

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Tue, 5 May 2026 23:36:53 -0500

As a state takeover looms, voters retained two Memphis-Shelby County Schools incumbents seeking re-election, according to unofficial election results from the board’s first-ever partisan primaries held Tuesday, May 5.

County Commission approves $200K in funding for MSCS takeover lawsuit

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 5 May 2026 16:50:09 -0500

Shelby County commissioners voted to take money from county reserve funds to pay the possible cost of suing the state over a pending state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

County Commission to meet on funding for MSCS lawsuit against takeover

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Fri, 1 May 2026 18:56:28 -0500

The commission will try again on a resolution to provide county funding for a legal challenge of the state’s pending takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Can the GOP Memphis schools takeover be stopped? Local leaders weigh the district’s options.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:52:03 -0500

Since Tennessee Republicans passed the takeover bill last week, community response has been muted. Some say that’s because there’s no recourse, but a district lawsuit could be on the horizon.

The AM/DM podcast: Is MSCS state takeover a land grab?

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:27:17 -0500

In part two of our podcast about the takeover, reporter Laura Testino returns to talk about how churn factors in, what we can take from the school system takeover in Houston and what role school closures and land sales might play.

MSCS board meets under shadow of state takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:11:08 -0500

The board talked about charter schools, contracts and a response to the state audit at what may have been the final meeting before a state oversight board is appointed.

The AM/DM podcast: Burning questions about the state's MSCS takeover

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:29:19 -0500

Who will the new board members be? And is former superintendent Marie Feagins expected to get her job back?

County Commission fails to fund MSCS takeover lawsuit

bdries@dailymemphian.com (Bill Dries) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:49:28 -0500

A procedural vote Monday, April 27, killed a maneuver to fund a legal challenge by Memphis-Shelby County Schools to the state’s takeover of the school system. But there could be a second try.

MSCS board approves teacher raises for 2026-27 school year

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:28:24 -0500

On average, Memphis-Shelby County Schools teachers will see a 3.9% increase in their pay next year, not including bonuses, according to the district’s top business and finance official.

Tennessee lawmakers pass MSCS takeover

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:30:10 -0500

The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives both voted down party lines Wednesday, April 22, to pass a takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

MSCS board votes to sue over state takeover proposal

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:10:39 -0500

The MSCS board’s resolution claims that Tennessee lawmakers’ takeover proposal “directly conflicts with established constitutional provisions and statutory requirements.”

Tennessee Republicans push for significant last-minute ESA voucher expansion

mbrown@chalkbeat.org (Melissa Brown) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:27:43 -0500

Voucher-friendly Tennessee Republicans are pushing a last-minute amendment that would drop all enrollment caps on the state’s original voucher program.

Mid-South public universities join forces for AI research

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:44:38 -0500

The universities of Memphis, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee Health Science Center will focus on five areas of research and development.

Takeover plan would give state appointees sweeping power over Memphis schools

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:20:02 -0500

Expanded board powers are among several new details of a proposed state takeover legislation targeting Memphis-Shelby County Schools.