[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6461461,"mediaKeyId","5824183-50f1dbb456dc5ce1edea880c7e0f4b08","parentId",5824183,"title","Shelby County education leaders outline plan to review five school closures, repurposing with Feb. 2026 vote","audioSeconds",1743,"startMs",1032000,"endMs",2775000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824183-50f1dbb456dc5ce1edea880c7e0f4b08&start=1032&end=2775","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824183-50f1dbb456dc5ce1edea880c7e0f4b08/thumbnail_1032000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461461/Tennessee/Shelby-County-education-leaders-outline-plan-to-review-five-school-closures-repurposing-with-Feb-2026-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461461-78778b6a023a1444e5465ea39f861def/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480087&Signature=BXH5sYyRGry0CB1GxpL1tX1HMB4yUvKBmZs9J-3afHOHkCpNTTKQHrKP7AV5kg06rYmJS1R7J5BkCg-OiNdh0bJsTKPbqI~A0HfFDiORpDWsaKPOkDCR2tFCqDramHXDfuK6M07SyatCGQnEEaZ92AtqQVnO5ktpW5LU0W3wVcOeX6BRpPKPF3EJhjau2ckdWZq21Z5pkJxjZDa1KSpbBM5WVZtAGKkF3GInS6VE8eaplIgRU4hd1oeIAYF3U9ff2ebFZCQQJxQrIs1ZDxoTt5GqnmP-TE-qQmV48rK06Oa-QVYPFn9ZjmMFWrh6h4B9cvbPHJcnG4mlxN5qsxnBkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelby County Schools","date","2025-09-24T12:29:39.83Z","article","Interim Superintendent Dr. Richmond told the Shelby County Board of Education that the district will begin a process to evaluate the closure, transfer or repurposing of five schools and bring formal recommendations for a board vote in February 2026.

\"Tonight we begin 1 of the most important journeys our district can undertake, the process of closing and repurposing schools,\" Dr. Richmond said, introducing a timeline and policy overview the board reviewed at its meeting.

The presentation, led by Miss Stewart and other staff, said the review follows board policy 7002 and the MSCS facilities framework and is driven by factors identified in the policy: declining enrollment, population shifts, facility condition and capacity utilization. The five facilities named for study were Lucy Elementary (proposed transfer to Millington Municipal School District), Ida B. Wells Academy (closure/repurposing for district use), Frasier Corning Elementary (closure/consolidation), Chickasaw Middle School (closure/consolidation) and Georgian Hills Elementary (closure/consolidation).

Staff outlined a five-phase schedule: Phase 1 (initiation and due diligence, August–October 2025) to commission school closing impact reports for each school; Phase 2 (community engagement, October–December 2025) to hold at least two public hearings per school and publish summaries; Phase 3 (legal and intergovernmental review, December 2025–January 2026) including negotiating an interlocal agreement for Lucy Elementary and confirming any required approvals with the Tennessee Department of Education and Shelby County Commission; Phase 4 (board decision, February 2026) when resolutions and full documentation will be presented for vote; and Phase 5 (implementation, March–July 2026) for notifications, student reassignment, transportation and HR transition plans.

Staff said required deliverables will include completed school closing impact reports, two public hearings per school, interlocal agreement drafts for Lucy transfer, a repurposing/disposition framework and the full board resolution package. The presentation also noted compliance checks with Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and attention to charter protections and reversionary clauses.

Board members asked for additional detail in the impact reports. \"These sets of schools will impact the Northwest and Southwest regions,\" Dr. Richmond said when asked which parts of the district would be affected. Several members pressed staff to include receiving-school assignments and the geographic regions that would take displaced students, academic-performance data, security plans for vacated buildings, transportation analyses and multi-year service histories for each school.

Board Member McKissick asked how staff would communicate with families immediately. Dr. Richmond said the district will provide a timeline and an FAQ packet and that staff can meet directly with principals, teachers and families in the coming days while the formal data are prepared for October and November community meetings. \"I would encourage them to continue to do their very, very best,\" Dr. Richmond said, urging teachers and students to continue instruction amid the review.

Questions from other board members focused on implementation details: whether teachers and administrators could follow students to receiving schools; how student achievement data would be accounted for when students move into another building; and whether transportation changes (including increased bus routes) might improve attendance in some neighborhoods.

Miss Stewart said receiving-school plans will include capacity, academic programming and any necessary facility upgrades at schools slated to receive students. The district also said it will provide translation services and hold forums in affected ZIP codes.

No final board action on any closure, transfer or repurposing was recorded in this meeting. Staff asked the board for permission to move forward with the schedule and to begin community engagement and the data work required to meet the February 2026 decision date.

The board then moved to staff action items on the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MSCS Board Work Session 9-23-25","oneSentenceSummary","Interim Superintendent Dr. Richmond and staff presented a five-step timeline under board policy 7002 to study, hold public hearings and bring formal recommendations in February 2026 on proposed transfers, closures and repurposing for five schools including Lucy Elementary and Ida B. Wells Academy.","taxTitle","Shelby County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",13505,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":46,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461456,"Board hears recommended contracts, property transactions and Cigna extension; agenda approved 8-0",1266,4041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824183-50f1dbb456dc5ce1edea880c7e0f4b08&start=2775&end=4041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824183-50f1dbb456dc5ce1edea880c7e0f4b08/thumbnail_2775000.jpg","/articles/6461456/Tennessee/Board-hears-recommended-contracts-property-transactions-and-Cigna-extension-agenda-approved-8-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461456-106ff030079a3b2093376b1aca5adb0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480087&Signature=a-97vKiBhnCCvddhB4p7NefNOuNBVB4gjKRkZOQ2bmGY7b5XaM4sco3ud2OZeazSntmR-QEvjZpVl5T~ONI4zhZ8kX7okzd3cY3xqCGnSQhjDbHLyFjxaOy3SoWXrxgVZTwgAKfJdkGHw9hIRGUV7o~I7U8xP4QmlMpg8uR8NAlLpFBdAUM-67OvJAYQ2Ii0s7k9XjSPqieOKqqyzDc5GxbLSKPggEa-0wVEx2SsdEQQcTdp5Iw565ThTJYMsqwM371XaqU3ikZQqqymAtNqLX4uOOTA6M0D5ogkWT0fZsE5305LrwDu2UYgaxH80ath4ovQ-WNXdQysdCX27H7Z2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Education reviewed a series of staff-recommended contracts, proposed property dispositions and an added contract extension for district health coverage during its meeting. Board members discussed the items but the transcript shows the recommendations were presented; no final votes on the contracts or property sales were recorded in this meeting.

The meeting opened by approving the agenda on a motion by Board Member Murphy, seconded by Board Member McKissick. A roll-call recorded the following affirmative votes: Board Member McKissick; Board Member Porter; Board Member Murphy; Board Member McKinney; Board Member Otey; Board Member Williams; Board Chair Coleman. The clerk announced, \"You have 8 in the affirmative.\" The motion passed.

Staff then presented the recommended contracts and sales as follows (amounts and descriptions read into the record):
- Port Olaf Head Start contract: $2,041,000 to manage 13 pre-K classrooms (presented as recommended approval).
- First 8 Memphis wraparound contract: $1,348,650 for comprehensive wraparound services in 37 pre-K classrooms for 2025–26.
- First 8 Memphis preschool direct services contract: $5,049,511 for preschool direct services in 37 classrooms for 2025–26.
- First 8 Memphis community partners contract: $200,100 (presented as recommendation to support two community partner programs).
- First 8 Memphis coaching contract: $259,000 for services in 37 classrooms for 2025–26.
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville affiliation agreement (no dollar amount stated) for the 2025–26 school year.
- Sale of former Humes Middle School to New Ballet Ensemble for $2,257,000; New Ballet Ensemble proposes to operate a performing arts school as a district contract school (presentation and community feedback were discussed; no final vote recorded).
- Proposed sale/transfer of the 3030 Jackson administration campus to New Day Tennessee in exchange for the cost of renovating and leasing a Myers Road warehouse and relocating district operations. Staff said the total estimated value for relocation, renovation to meet FDA guidelines and a 10-year lease was currently estimated near $5,000,000, but the final number was still being negotiated and would be presented at next week's board vote meeting.
- Districtwide HVAC filter services contract: $932,937 with National Filter Solution, Inc.
- Athletic field preparation services: total $478,617.16 across two contractors for multiple sites.
- Contract with Holland & Knight LLP for legislative consultant services: $108,000 (contract period 10/1/2025–9/30/2026).
- Contract extension for district healthcare with Cigna: staff presented a one-year extension to carry the district through the end of calendar year 2026; the item was described as RFP/transition planning to move to a new vendor in 2027. The extension amount read into the record was $41,900,000.

When board members asked questions, staff clarified several points. A staff presenter confirmed the Head Start and pre-K teachers mentioned in the contracts were Shelby County Schools teachers employed by the district but assigned to community partner sites. On the 3030 Jackson sale, staff explained New Day Tennessee's offer would include renovating the Myers Road warehouse to FDA guidelines, leasing it to the district for 10 years and covering move costs; staff said the parties were still finalizing quotes and would present a precise dollar figure at the next board vote meeting.

Several board members discussed community concerns on the Humes sale, including appraised value, building condition and community participation in reuse plans. Board Member McKinney reported feedback from a recent community meeting and urged the district to protect community participation and consider fiscal responsibility in any sale.

No final votes on the listed contracts or property transactions were recorded in the transcript for this meeting; staff characterized each item as \"recommended\" and indicated some items will appear on the agenda for a vote next week.","Staff presented a package of recommended contracts and two proposed property transactions, and added a one-year Cigna extension to the agenda. The board approved the meeting agenda 8-0; no final approvals of the recommended contracts or property sales were recorded in this meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Shelby County education leaders outline plan to review five school closures, repurposing with Feb. 2026 vote

Board hears recommended contracts, property transactions and Cigna extension; agenda approved 8-0