Republican Rep. Mark White of Shelby County, Tennessee, announced that a bill enabling the state to take over administration of Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been put on hold until 2026. The legislation, which faced opposition from Memphis lawmakers, aimed to create a management group overseeing the troubled school district. One key issue was the unconstitutional provision in the Senate version that allowed an advisory board to select replacements for elected Memphis board members removed by the state.
White defended the need for strong oversight due to the school district’s poor performance, emphasizing the importance of addressing deferred maintenance and under-utilized buildings despite a large budget. The proposed advisory board, to be funded locally, would oversee budgets, contracts, and policies with hopes of improving the school system.
The legislature approved $6 million for a forensic audit of the school district but refused to complete it before implementing the new system. While some lawmakers supported the bill as a necessary intervention, others, like Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro, criticized the plan for potentially causing confusion and legal challenges.
The pause on the bill was seen as a victory for local control by Memphis Democrats like Sen. London Lamar, who likened the plan to the failed Achievement School District. White planned to work on the legislation further and reintroduce it next year. The move to hold off on the legislation was met with mixed reactions, with supporters believing it would benefit students while critics raised concerns about overreach and undermining local decision-making.
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