Sledge
Sledge, MS · Education
Chalkbeat
Judge lifts block on Memphis schools state takeover as lawsuit continues
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. A politically appointed oversight board can now take control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools after more than three months of legal delays. On Thursday, Judge Waverly Crenshaw dissolved the temporary block he placed on the state takeover in late June , clearing the way for the appointed board to start leading major district decisions and operations. The ruling came only days after state board Chair Billy Orgel said in a federal court filing that the body was ready to resume its work, after meeting for the first time in months last week. With the temporary block removed, the oversight board will now have the power to override and direct most major decisions , including adopting the annual budget and closing schools . Its members can also appoint a new superintendent and overhaul teaching and curriculum decisions. “The Education Oversight Board is ready to begin our work to improve the educational outcomes for all the students of Shelby County,” Orgel said in a statement Thursday. “It
Tennessee Tribune
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Names Candice Grose as Chief of Communications and Public Relations
MEMPHIS-Memphis-Shelby County Schools has named Candice Grose as Chief of Communications and Public Relations. Grose has more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, public relations, reputation management, and organizational change across public education, government, and Fortune 100 companies. Throughout her career, she has advised executive leaders,...
Daily Helmsman
UofM commits $290,000 towards University Bookstore renovation project
The University of Memphis is moving forward with major updates to its campus dining spots. The projects are part of a much larger plan to improve campus technology, add new food choices and update student seating areas. These big changes come from a 15-year dining contract between the university and...
thedailytexan.com
Kaitlyn Boyce Johnson speaks on consolidation
Kaitlin Boyce Johnson is an African and African diaspora studies senior also majoring in anthropology. When she was 13 years old, Johnson moved to Texas from her home in Memphis, Tennessee, a move she said led her to feel isolated from the predominantly Black culture she was used to. After...
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...