US EditionTN House and Senate Pass MSCS Takeover Bill
The measure creates a nine-member state oversight board with authority over budget and personnel, after auditors found about $1.1 million in questioned spending.
- On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation authorizing a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools . The bill now heads to Governor Bill Lee for his signature.
- Lawmakers pursued the takeover after MSCS met six state performance metrics, including academic proficiency and attendance. Comptroller audits also revealed around $1.1 million in waste or fraud, prompting intervention.
- A nine-member board of managers, appointed primarily by state leaders, will oversee the district for at least four years. This body gains power to manage the $1.9 billion budget, fire employees, and nix school board actions.
- Governor Lee signed SB 712 on Tuesday, barring districts from using public funds to sue over accountability measures. This complicates the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board's Tuesday vote to challenge the takeover in court.
- Democratic critics label the move unconstitutional and discriminatory, while supporters like Republican Senator Brent Taylor describe it as statewide accountability reform. The board of managers will be established once the Governor signs the legislation.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Tennessee House Approves Bill Giving State Control Of Memphis Schools
Image Credit: TN General Assembly ***Note from The Tennessee Conservative – this article posted here for informational purposes only.*** The Center Square [By Kim Jarrett] – The Tennessee House of Representatives approved a bill that will give the state control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools hours after it passed the Senate on Wednesday. House Bill 662/Senate Bill 714 creates a board of managers to oversee the school district for four years. T…
The Center Square
Tullahoma NewsHouse approves bill giving state control of Memphis schools
(The Center Square) – The Tennessee House of Representatives approved a bill that will give the state control of Memphis-Shelby County Schools hours after it passed the Senate on Wednesday.
TN House and Senate pass MSCS takeover bill
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Tennessee State Senate and House on Wednesday voted to pass a bill allowing the state to add an oversight board for Memphis Shelby County Schools. The House vote was 73-19. The vote was 27-6 in the State Senate. The bill is now heading to the governor's desk. State Senator Brent Taylor [...]
Junta escolar aprueba demandar al estado por posible intervención, mientras que gobernador firmó una ley que lo bloquea
(LPL) – La Junta de Educación de Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) aprobó el martes por la noche contratar abogados externos para impugnar en los tribunales un posible control estatal del distrito. Sin embargo, minutos después de esa decisión, el gobernador Bill Lee firmó una ley que podría impedir que la demanda se financie con fondos […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
