Category Archives: MNPS

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MNPS’s Battle Recognized by TN Superintendents Organization

The newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) notes:

The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents has selected MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle as the 2026 Mid-Cumberland Superintendent of the Year. The good news was announced while she was being honored during a TOSS Mid-Cumberland Superintendents’ Study Council. 

TOSS Executive Director Dr. Gary Lilly remarked, “Dr. Battle is truly leading the region in the impact she is having on students in Nashville…This award is a recognition from her peer superintendents in Mid-Cumberland of years’ worth of innovation and service.” 

Dr. Battle is the first MNPS graduate to lead the district, and the first woman in the role. In addition to the Superintendent of the Year award, she has recently received the following recognitions: 

  • Excellence in Family Engagement Award from AASA and National PTA.
  • A distinguished alumni honor from Missouri State University.
  • A new University of Tennessee, Knoxville partnership providing full-tuition scholarships to MNPS students.

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Nashville Public Schools Hall of Fame Honorees Announced

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announced its 2026 Public Schools Hall of Fame honorees:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation is proud to share the five inspiring honorees for the 22nd Public Schools Hall of Fame Luncheon. Categorized by Inspiring Educator, Inspiring Leader, and Inspiring Innovation, the honorees are Quanita Adams, Kevin Stevens, Dr. Michael Pratt, DYMON in the Rough (Dynamic Young Minorities of Nashville), and Girls Write Nashville. 

“As bold supporters of Nashville’s public education system, it is essential to recognize the courageous individuals who champion students, enhance academic settings, strengthen our communities, and cultivate a better future for generations to come,” expressed Wanda Lyle, NPEF Board Chair. “We are thrilled to welcome attendees to the Hall of Fame in August and share in an afternoon of inspiration.” 

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MNPS School Board Elections 2026

TC Weber offers some insight into this year’s round of Nashville school board elections:

Did you know the Metro Nashville Public Schools board is holding an election this year?

Go ahead. Be honest.

Yeah. That’s what I thought.

Let me catch you up.

This year, the even-numbered seats are up—Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8.

Districts 2 and 8? Incumbents. No challengers.

District 4 has two candidates.
District 6 has three.

All Democrats.

Which means once the primaries are done, all four winners will run unopposed.

So if you’re looking for sweeping change…

You might be looking in the wrong place.

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Teacherpreneur Voting Open

From the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):

This week, the Teacherpreneur 2026 cohort members will pitch their challenge-facing, solution-bringing ideas before a panel of judges on Pitch Night. Three of the 12 cohort members will claim first, second, and third place, based on their pitches. And one cohort member will receive the Community Favorite Award–that’s where you come in!

Voting is now open for the Community Favorite Award! Based on your votes, this winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500 to reward their dedication to addressing challenges and increasing opportunities for student success.

How to Vote:

  1. Go to the Teacherpreneur webpage.
  2. Watch each 2026 cohort member’s idea video.
  3. Vote for your favorite idea.

Voting is open for a limited time. Cast your vote by Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 5 p.m.

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NPEF Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Chairs

An email from the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) offers the following information about the 2026 Public Schools Hall of Fame:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation invites you to save the date for the 22nd Public Schools Hall of Famecelebration on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Music City Center!

Chaired by Gini-Pupo-Walker and Hal Cato, the signature event recognizes Metro Nashville Public School educators and alumni who exemplify the best of public education through their personal and professional endeavors. This chairing duo embodies the values of the celebration in their respective personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to Nashville. 

Pupo-Walker is the Director of National Education Strategy for the Raikes Foundation, where she leads the development and implementation of their grantmaking strategy for their K-12 and higher education portfolios. She was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the 2020 Public Schools Hall of Fame.

Cato is the CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the region’s leader in philanthropic activity and civic connection that cultivate strong communities. He received the Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award at the 2023 Public Schools Hall of Fame.

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Teacherpreneur Voting Opens Soon

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announced via newsletter that public voting for the 2026 Teacherpreneur awards will be March 2-3.

Teacherpreneur harnesses educator innovation to remove barriers to success, enabling all students to thrive. The cohort-based learning opportunity helps teachers identify an issue, research its root causes, and create innovative solutions.

The program culminates with cohort members pitching their ideas to a panel of judges. This will result in the chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes and access to seed funding to implement their idea as a pilot program.

Public voting for the Community Favorite Award will take place online March 2-3, 2026, and during the March 4, 2026, Pitch Night. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize. 

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Another Music City Miracle?

TC Weber reports on a charter application by a former Tennessee Titan:

A familiar name from the Music City Miracle is now making a different kind of play.

Kevin Dyson—former Titans receiver, longtime educator, and recent principal at Centennial High School—is seeking to open a charter school focused on student athletes.

Music City Academy aims to launch in 2027, offering robust athletics alongside academics and career exploration beyond playing the game.

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Concentrated Losses

Nashville blogger TC Weber adds additional insight into his look at student attrition in MNPS.

Two key notes:

Here’s what that comparison shows:

  • August 2025: 81,066 students
  • January 2026: 78,943 students

That’s a net loss of 2,123 students in just five months.

Which schools are losing students?

When we look at schools that remained open and consistently coded, the largest enrollment losses are concentrated in familiar places:

  • Antioch High School: –184
  • McGavock High School: –184
  • John Overton High School: –124
  • Cane Ridge High School: –118
  • Glencliff High School: –94
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Starting Time

Will MNPS change school start times?

TC Weber digs into the latest:

Model 1: Squeeze

High schools shift later by 20 minutes, elementary schools by 10 minutes, middle schools unchanged.

  • High School: 7:25–2:25
  • Elementary: 8:10–3:10
  • Middle: 8:55–3:55

Model 2: Shift

All schools start 15 minutes later.

  • High School: 7:20–2:20
  • Elementary: 8:15–3:15
  • Middle: 9:10–4:10

Model 3: No Change

  • High School: 7:05–2:05
  • Elementary: 8:00–3:00
  • Middle: 8:55–3:55

Now, the district must decide on what (if any) change will be made.

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Lost Students, Lost Dollars

TC Weber explains that Nashville’s “lost student” problem also leads to a loss of funding.

Bottom line: MNPS is staring at $16–20 million in lost annual operating revenue from a six-week enrollment shift.

That is not chump change.

And here’s the part that often gets lost:

The fiscal pain is felt by schools, not Central Office.

Using the same baseline numbers, high schools alone account for roughly $10 million of that loss.

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