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Chalkbeat
Memphis state takeover board says it’s ready to take control of district
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. Memphis state takeover board Chair Billy Orgel said in a court filing Tuesday that the politically appointed body is “ready, willing, and able” to assume control of Tennessee’s largest school district. That comes days after the oversight board met for the first time in months . In Thursday’s virtual meeting, the nine board members fast-tracked approval of key policies and procedures developed largely by Tampa-based consulting firm MGT during the court-ordered pause this summer. Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw temporarily blocked the oversight board in a late June ruling, an early win for Memphis-Shelby County Schools in its case against the state takeover. But Crenshaw said in the lawsuit’s first hearing early this month that he never intended for the pause to be long term. After more than three months of legal delays, Crenshaw signaled that the state takeover could officially begin once oversight board members declared they were ready . Orgel made that the focus of last week’s meeting, asking a senior deputy with
tri-statedefender.com
Memphis HBCU enrollment swells to all-time high at LeMoyne-Owen College
The nation’s fifth-oldest historically Black post-secondary institution, LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, has exceeded its enrollment goal for the 2026-2027 academic year with a total of 957 students, marking a 37% increase compared with the previous year. Although LeMoyne-Owen recruits far and wide for applicants, school officials drew from the...
asumag.com
Memphis oversight board advances plans to take control of school district
A state-appointed oversight board is moving closer to taking control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools after approving key operating procedures intended to demonstrate that it is prepared to oversee Tennessee’s largest school district. At an Oct. 8th meeting, the nine-member Educational Oversight Board unanimously approved a contract and expenditure approval...
hoodline.com
New Memphis School Board Leaders Vow Students Won't Get Lost in State Takeover Fight
Memphis-Shelby County Schools has a new board chair and vice chair just as the district braces for a state-appointed panel to seize control of its budget, contracts, and school closures. The board elected District 4 representative Tamarques Porter as chair and District 5 representative Sable Otey as vice chair on September 29, replacing former chair Natalie McKinney, who received one vote for reelection before ultimately casting her own vote for Porter.
WREG
‘It’s what’s best’: Parents weigh in on state takeover of Memphis schools
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The state oversight board of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is preparing to take control of the school system, meeting virtually on Thursday after a federal judge ordered the chairman to notify the court when the board is “ready, willing, and able to perform its duties.” This comes as Shelby County and Memphis Shelby […]
Yahoo!
Mid-South Food Bank, MSCS to host fall break food distribution at Hillcrest High School
Mid-South Food Bank and Memphis-Shelby County Schools are partnering to provide food assistance to families during fall break with a drive-thru mobile food pantry Monday, October 12, at Hillcrest High School. The distribution begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until supplies run out. Food boxes will be available on...
Daily Helmsman
UofM fraternity members emphasize the importance of accountability
Following concerns surrounding Cornell University, University of Memphis fraternity members are emphasizing the importance of consent, safety and accountability within student organizations. At a “Hey Tigers, Let’s Talk” event on Oct. 5, students gathered to discuss how they can support one another and help create a safer campus environment.
actionnews5.com
State oversight board prepares for MSCS takeover
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - For the first time, the conversation about the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) appeared to shift from whether the state would take over to what comes next. During a virtual meeting Thursday, the state-appointed oversight board discussed financial accountability, outside consultants and potential leadership...
The Commercial Appeal
MSCS oversight board meets for first time after months of litigation
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools oversight board met for the second time on Oct. 8 after months of litigation prevented the body from convening. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, focused on the structure and operation of the oversight board — a step that board members said would legitimize the board in the eyes of the court. The oversight board has been blocked from operation since July 1, when MSCS leaders filed a lawsuit claiming the board invalidates voters' choice of locally elected officials. But in a court order filed Oct. 5, U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw for the Middle District of Tennessee indicated he was ready to lift that block and directed oversight board chairman Billy Orgel to file a statement under oath when the body is "ready, willing, and able to perform its duties." MSCS sues: Shelby County, MSCS board sue again to stop school takeover Establishing a solid structure should demonstrate that "readiness," said Tennessee Senior Deputy Attorney General J.P. Urban during the meeting, who is acting as legal counsel for the oversight board. "The line that we see that that order draws is that the board can take its steps to develop its infrastructure, develop
gryphonlodge.com
The View from 10,000 Feet
St. George’s has introduced a dedicated Academic Head of School position this year, appointing Mr. Matt Morgan to directly oversee educational programs at both the Germantown and Collierville campuses. Before the position was created, academic oversight was shared among division leaders, department chairs and other administrators, with responsibilities handled...
whitestationscroll.net
New mascot fails to appeal to students
At the first pep rally of the year, a new mascot made its debut. Instead of the typical banana in a ghost face mask, a new and shiny Spartan in green appeared. Rather than being inspired, many students felt betrayed by the sudden change. “I was pretty angry, honestly,” Sam...
The Commercial Appeal
MSCS ex-superintendent Feagins' attorney asks to withdraw from lawsuit
Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins' attorney filed a motion asking to withdraw as counsel from the federal lawsuit filed against the school board , court documents show. An Oct. 6 court filing shows Brittany Hinton, who began representing Feagins last month, asked the court to allow her to withdraw from the case. Feagins' previous attorney, Johnathan F. Austin and Austin Law, P.C., withdrew from her case Sept. 4 after Feagins wrote to the firm to terminate their representation. School board response to lawsuit: MSCS files motion to dismiss Feagins' federal discrimination lawsuit Feagins filed the suit against the Memphis-Shelby County School Board over the board's decision to fire her as superintendent of MSCS . The suit, filed in federal court March 19, alleges sex-based discrimination and retaliation violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The order asks the court to grant Feagins a 30-day extension of upcoming deadlines so she can secure new counsel. Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at jack.armstrong@commercialappeal.com and followed on X @jca2902. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MSCS ex-superintendent Feagins' attorney asks to withdraw from lawsuit
Daily Helmsman
UofM Turning Point chapter hosts “Prove Me Wrong" event with Will Witt
Hundreds filled the University Center Student Plaza for Turning Point’s “Prove Me Wrong” at the University of Memphis on Tuesday. The event featured Will Witt, a conservative media personality and author, along with Turning Point employees holding signs encouraging people to engage with Witt, calling DEI “racist,” and calling for stronger immigration enforcement.