Tennessee ranks in the top ten for high school closure rates, and experts say a solution needs to happen soon, or the trend could escalate.
Tennessee had the ninth-highest average closure rate, according to the National Center for Education statistics. The Volunteer State had an average of 1.3% of its schools closing annually between the 2019-20 and the 2025-26 school years, ranking higher than Texas.
Gov. Bill Lee’s signature legislative achievement is the school voucher scheme. This is essentially a discount coupon program for private schools – and one used primarily by well-off families.
The plan is slated to cost taxpayers $300 million this year.
And, in Sumner County, it could cost teachers and staff their jobs.
Director of Schools Scott Langford made the announcement at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
According to Langford, the district has lost more than 1,700 students since August.
He says the majority of those students went to other public school districts in Tennessee or left the state altogether, which could point to the rising cost of living in Sumner County as a reason behind the drop.
But he also said a little over one third of the students who have left the district this school year went to online school, homeschool or private schools.
The drop in enrollment means the district could lose more than $11 million in state funding, and Langford says they’re starting to look at potential staff cuts to make up for it, but they’re not rushing.
One challenge of school voucher schemes across states is the impact on local school funding – since state dollars are often determined by enrollment. While a loss of 1700 students is significant, it does not mean the district can close buildings or end its transportation program – there are fixed costs that must be absorbed with less revenue. That leaves staff cuts as the main way to reduce expenses.
Sumner County’s legislative delegation – all Republicans – has consistently supported school vouchers. In fact, House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland was a prime sponsor of Gov. Lee’s voucher scheme. The very same scheme that is now resulting in a reduction of millions of dollars in state funds to Sumner County Schools.
The planned state takeover of Memphis schools is still on pause, a judge says.
Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins is expected to hear a new round of technical arguments on Dec. 2, and the takeover board remains paused at least until then.
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn narrowly won the race to become Tennessee’s next Governor. She earned 45.5% of the vote to Democrat Jerri Green’s 43%.
Now, Blackburn begins the process of setting up a transition team and installing the leaders who will shape her Administration.
What will she do on public schools?
The short answer: She is 100% supportive of the GOP agenda over the past 15 years. An agenda that has led Tennessee to last place in the nation in investment in schools. An agenda that means there’s now a $300 million private school discount coupon program. An agenda that leaves teachers behind.
The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announced the 2026 Blue Ribbon Teachers:
The Nashville Public Education Foundation proudly congratulates the 2026 Blue Ribbon Teacher award winners! In partnership between NPEF and Metro Nashville Public Schools, 25 educators will be recognized at a reception hosted by Vanderbilt University this evening. Award winners will be honored across three categories of impact:
Excellence in Student Success and Opportunity
Excellence in Instruction
Excellence in Leadership
Since its inception in 2014, the Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards has honored over 500 educators. This year’s winners will receive a $2,000 prize and round-trip airline tickets generously provided by Southwest Airlines.
The 2026 Blue Ribbon Teacher award winners:
Lesley Baxter, Tulip Grove Elementary School
Melisa Brown, Neely’s Bend K-8 School
Chris Dickerson, Norman Binkley Elementary School
Natalie Elliott, Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School
Stephanie Ellis, Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School
Briana Evans, Cambridge Early Learning Center
Elmer Feliciano, McMurray Middle School
Lacey Galbraith, John Overton High School
Brenda Gauss, Amqui Global Communications K-8 Magnet School
Magdi Girgis, Glencliff High School
Thelma Guzman Ardon, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School
Dr. Jenna Hagengruber Neal, John Overton High School
Ashley January-Reed, Isaiah T. Creswell Arts Magnet Middle School
From the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):
Metro Nashville Public Schools, in partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation, will celebrate the 2026 Blue Ribbon Teacher award winners on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The evening reception will recognize 25 honorees across three award categories: Excellence in Student Success and Opportunity, Excellence in Instruction, and Excellence in Leadership.
The Blue Ribbon Teacher award is a prestigious award that honors and uplifts the incredible work of teachers and educators within Metro Nashville Public Schools. The winners were selected by a panel of judges through a rigorous application review process. In addition to the remarkable honor, each winner will receive a $2,000 prize in recognition of their dynamic impact.
The Memphis Lift will welcome hundreds of parents, students and community members from across Shelby County to its Citywide Fall Festival on Wednesday, October 28. The free event will bring families together for an evening of games, music, giveaways, community resources and fall festivities.
The event a offers an opportunity for local media to connect directly with Memphis parents about their hopes, concerns and expectations for their communities.
Reporters are invited to attend; capture footage of families enjoying the festivities and speak with parents about what they want to see change in Memphis public schools. The Memphis Lift Executive Director Sarah Carpenter will also be available for interviews about the organization’s ongoing efforts to elevate parent voices and ensure families have a meaningful role in shaping the future of public education in Memphis.
“Every Memphis parent wants strong schools and a brighter future for their children,” said Sarah Carpenter, Executive Director of The Memphis Lift. “This festival is about bringing families together, strengthening our community and reminding parents that their voices matter. Real change starts with families, and we want every parent to know they have the power to make a difference.”
WHAT:
The Memphis Lift Citywide Fall Festival, a free community celebration featuring games, candy, music, giveaways, family activities, community resources and a Checkers/Rally’s Burger Bar. Approximately 300–500 participants are expected.
The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) has compiled data into what the organization is calling the “Thriving Schools Dashboard.”
From an NPEF email:
Our Thriving Schools Dashboard brings together data across four domains — student enrollment and attendance, academic achievement, student experience, and teacher experience. This data speaks to many of the conditions within the Thriving Schools Framework, offering a fuller picture of what it takes to create an environment where all students thrive.
The dashboard shares data for all schools in Metro Nashville Public Schools, including district-authorized charter schools, as well as charter schools in Davidson County authorized by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.
The information is drawn from and updated annually based on publicly available state and district sources, including the following:
Tennessee State Report Card Data
Panorama Student and Teacher Experience Surveys
TN2030 Data on statewide goals from Tennessee SCORE’S TN2030 Initiative
We need to stop acting like teachers should be willing to sacrifice their financial security because teaching is their calling. These are educated professionals doing one of the most important jobs in our country, and it’s time we started paying and treating them that way.
I support federal incentives to help states raise teacher pay, expanding student loan forgiveness for educators, and making it easier and more affordable for people to enter the profession. We also need to address burnout, excessive paperwork, and the lack of support teachers receive in their classrooms.
My wife works in our local school system, and my kids attend public schools here in Cumberland County. I see how much our teachers and school employees put into their work, often going above and beyond what their jobs require. We should be doing everything we can to support them, not piling more responsibilities onto their already full plates.
