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How Will New Device Policy Impact Hamilton County Schools?

WREG TV Chattanooga reports on the school board’s decision to test out a new device policy and assess it during the fall semester:

Hamilton County school leaders plan to take another look at their new student device policy after seeing how it works in classrooms this fall.

At their Thursday meeting, the Hamilton County School Board approved changes that will end take-home assignments of school-issued devices for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

High school students will still be assigned devices they can take home.

The change comes as Tennessee implements stricter requirements governing technology use among younger students.

Chattanooga Sign
Photo by Jeff Miller on Unsplash

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Jimmy John’s and Marsha Blackburn

The CEO of Jimmy John’s is among a group of out-of-state donors backing a PAC supporting Marsha Blackburn’s campaign for Governor:

In case you are wondering who is backing Blackburn’s campaign, the most recently-filed report for pro-Blackburn PAC Team Tennessee has some answers.

Among the backers: General Motors, coming in with a brisk $15,000, and the CEO of Jimmy John’s, offering up a fresh $100,000.

So, whether you’re looking for a new Chevy or just want a sub for lunch, be aware that your dollars could well be on their way to Blackburn’s campaign coffers.

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State Takeover of Memphis Schools On Pause

Behn Fights for Kids, Takes on TN DCS

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Memphis Schools Audit Findings

Tennessee’s Comptroller says the final results of an independent audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools raise serious concerns.

WREG reports:

A final state review of Memphis-Shelby County Schools was released on Wednesday morning by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office in Nashville.

The report documents more than $119 million in fraud, waste, abuse or questioned costs, State Comptroller Jason Mumpower said.

“The findings in this report represent some of the worst organizational management we have ever seen anywhere in government,” Mumpower said. “The failures are both unacceptable and indefensible.”

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Blackburn Backed by Parade of Privatizers

More Money for Tennessee’s Voucher Vendor

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Blackburn Backed by Payday Predators, Privatizing Profiteers

A political action committee (PAC) funded by a pro-voucher Pennsylvania billionaire and Tennessee’s largest payday predator (Advance Financial) is backing voucher supporter Marsha Blackburn in her campaign to become the state’s next Governor.

Jeff Yass is joined in his support of the pro-Blackburn Team Tennessee PAC by the payday predators over at Advance Financial.

Aside from Advance Financial, the PAC calling itself “Team Tennessee” has little support from anyone in Tennessee.

Yass is the top contributor at $1 million.

Tennessee-based Advance Financial comes in at $100,000.

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NPEF’s Leadership Public Education Cohort Graduation

From the Front of the Class newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):

Earlier this month, the 2026 Leadership Public Education Cohort culminated its six months of leadership development programming with session 6. The day-long convening welcomed education and non-profit leaders who shared insight on navigating communication and conflict, direct engagement with Metro Nashville Public Schools, and advocacy training. Dr. Diarese George, NPEF President and CEO, also presented on the importance of building on this experience by finding meaningful ways to support public schools and other organizations serving students.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and NPEF celebrated the 7th cohort with a graduation and reception. Throughout the program, cohort members engaged in expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and research that explored key issues and opportunities facing Metro Nashville Public Schools. Overall, they addressed history, education policy, funding, workforce pathways, talent management, accountability, and school options.

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Judge Hits Pause on State Takeover of Memphis Schools

Voucher Vendor Gets Big Contract Increase

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BLOCKED: Judge Temporarily Halts State Takeover of Memphis Schools

A federal judge says the state can’t (yet) take over Memphis schools and must wait while a lawsuit against the takeover proceeds.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Memphis school takeover board’s authority, after school officials said it could delay the start of the school year or even force building closures as the district prepares to welcome students back to class in less than five weeks.

Memphis-Shelby County school board members and local officials asked a federal judge Tuesday to temporarily halt the oversight board or, at minimum, block its power to disrupt contract payments and fire top district officials ahead of the 2026-27 school year, which begins Aug. 3.

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Shelby County Sues Over State Takeover of Schools

The Shelby County government is challenging the state’s takeover of public schools in Memphis. A new state law passed this year created a state-appointed “Board of Managers” to oversee the Shelby County School Board.

This unelected board, appointed by politicians from Nashville, has the power to usurp decisions made by the elected leaders of the Shelby County Schools.

Tennessee Lookout reports on the lawsuit:


The Shelby County government sued Tennessee lawmakers in federal court last week, hoping to regain local control over the board that oversees the Memphis school system. 

State lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year disbanding the locally elected Memphis Shelby County Schools board and replacing it with a nine-member one, all appointed by Republican leaders in the state. 

Lawyers for Shelby County argued in their complaint that the law “dismantles” the structure that allows “110,000 children and their families to have a voice in the most consequential local decisions affecting their daily lives.” 

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Civil Rights Complaints Filed Against TN DCS

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Golden Gone

Williamson County’s Director of Schools, Jason Golden, informed the school board he’s accepted an Associate Director role at the Franklin Special School District.

Williamson County board member Eric Welch blames a toxic environment among elected leaders in the county for Golden’s leaving.

The

@WCSedu Board has received notice from Superintendent Golden that he has decided to step down as Superintendent of Williamson County Schools. He has accepted a position as Assoc Dir for Finance, Administration and Legal Services within the Franklin Special School District.

The toxic elements and individuals that refused to support our Superintendent, despite leading the WCS district to the highest academic achievement and growth scores in the state, now own whatever comes next.

exterior of school building in daytime
Photo by Mary Taylor on Pexels.com

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Which Middle TN District is Paying Bonuses for Math and English Teachers?

WSMV has the answer:

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System said Monday that it’s on the hunt for new math and English teachers to fulfill open roles at its high schools. The district is offering a $4,000 sign-on bonus to fill the positions.

There are more than a dozen high schools under the CMCSS umbrella. Open positions can be found and applied to at jobs.redroverk12.com/org/CMCSS.

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Jeff Yass, Marsha Blackburn, and School Vouchers

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Tennessee: Home of The Most Racially Segregated Schools in the South

A new report ranks state public school systems by racial and economic segregation and finds Tennessee has the most racially segregated schools in the South.

WPLN reports:

Tennessee public schools are among the most racially segregated in the nation, according to a new study.

Researchers from Stanford and the University of California, Los Angeles, found that Tennessee has the most segregated schools in the South and ranks number six nationally, trailing behind New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio.

The “States of Segregation” report uses data from the 2023-24 school year and measures the levels of racial segregation between white students and their Black, Hispanic, and Native American peers. Each state has an index number ranging between zero and one – with zero meaning no segregation and one indicating that the school is completely segregated, with all the students being the same race. Tennessee’s number is .46.

exterior of school building in daytime
Photo by Mary Taylor on Pexels.com

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