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?
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.
A Very Early Look at the 2026 Elections: Weekly Policy Update
Following the passage of a bill in the General Assembly which would allow for certain changes to county level elections, Shelby County Commission Chairman Michael Whaley announced this week that he will soon be introducing an ordinance to formally adopt the state’s recommendation.
The bill, which has not yet been signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, would allow the county to align school board elections to be on the same schedule as general county elections. If adopted, this will make several changes to our county elections. We explore those changes in this edition of the Weekly Policy Update.
Clayborn Temple and Economic Justice: Weekly Policy Update
The story dominating headlines in Memphis this week concerns the fire that destroyed the Clayborn Temple, the 130-year-old church that played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
For this week’s newsletter, we wanted to honor the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the Clayborn Temple by focusing on the economic issues that brought Dr. King to our great city in the first place.