I watched a six-hour Shelby County Commission meeting so you wouldn't have to
Weekly Policy Update Tara Fredenburg Weekly Policy Update Tara Fredenburg

I watched a six-hour Shelby County Commission meeting so you wouldn't have to

In an (at times) explosive six-hour long Shelby County Commission meeting, Commissioners tackled several big ticket items.

Featured topics included funding for certain staff positions under District Attorney Steve Mulroy, removing a New Chicago brownfield site from consideration for the construction of a new jail, the state of the Shelby County Ethics Commission, and rescheduling future elections for Memphis-Shelby County School board members.

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Big Week of MSCS News | Weekly Policy Update
Weekly Policy Update Tara Fredenburg Weekly Policy Update Tara Fredenburg

Big Week of MSCS News | Weekly Policy Update

Routine testing in Memphis-Shelby County schools uncovered lead levels above state standards in 24 district schools, mostly in kitchen sinks. Additionally, auditors from a national accounting firm arrived in Memphis last week for a state-funded audit of MSCS spanning back to 2021.

Also covered in this update: A new MSCS committee to discuss facility maintenance, news on former Superintendent Marie Feagins’ lawsuit, and the county commission’s resolution to move school board elections.

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Refresher on Community Schools: Weekly Policy Update
Tara Fredenburg Tara Fredenburg

Refresher on Community Schools: Weekly Policy Update

A community school is a public school that acts as a hub for the neighborhood, offering both educational services and broader community resources. It integrates academic learning with supports for student and family well-being, like health care, social services, and expanded learning opportunities. What has this model looked like in practice in Shelby County over the last couple of years, and what measurable outcomes are we seeing?

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Budget Season: Weekly Policy Update
Tara Fredenburg Tara Fredenburg

Budget Season: Weekly Policy Update

Budget season for Memphis and Shelby County has entered full swing! Mayor Paul Young presented his proposed budget to the Memphis City Council for fiscal year 2026 in April, while Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Interim Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Rod Richmond presented their respective budgets to the Shelby County Commission last week.

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Overview of Final Bills and Next Steps: Weekly Policy Update
Tara Fredenburg Tara Fredenburg

Overview of Final Bills and Next Steps: Weekly Policy Update

The TN General Assembly has passed both versions of the bill regarding the state’s intended intervention in Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Follow along below for details on the legislation, what it means for Memphis and Shelby County, and what comes next.

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