Monthly Archives: July 2026

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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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Who is Funding Tennessee’s Race to the Bottom?

TN Voucher Vendor Receives Huge Contract Boost

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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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Behn Takes on TN DCS, Fights for Kids

Trump’s School Voucher Scheme

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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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State Adds Millions to Voucher Vendor’s Contract

Behn Files Complaints Against TN DCS