April 28, 2005

Superintendent Johnson to receive honorary Rhodes College degree

Memphis, Tenn. — Dr. Carol R. Johnson, superintendent of Memphis City Schools, may never have attended Rhodes College, but the school’s leaders think her worthy of a degree from there anyway.

Dr. Johnson and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will receive honorary degrees at the 156th Commencement of Rhodes College on Saturday, May 14.

“ In a year when Rhodes has been focused on student access, we are delighted to honor two individuals who are exemplars of making college possible for all worthy students,” says Rhodes President William E. Troutt.

Dr. Johnson and Sen. Alexander will receive Honorary Doctor of Humanities degrees at the ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in Fisher Gardens on the Rhodes campus, when more than 340 Rhodes students are slated to receive degrees. In the event of rain, commencement will take place at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue Blvd. President Troutt will preside over the ceremony, and a signer will interpret the commencement service for the hearing impaired.

Although Dr. Johnson came here from Minnesota, she is a Tennessee native with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Fisk University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota.

Prior to becoming the superintendent of Memphis City Schools in 2003, Dr. Johnson served as superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools from 1997 to 2003 and was the 2002 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. She also has served as a teacher, principal and an administrator in Minneapolis.

At the beginning of the 2004-05 school year, Dr. Johnson emphasized the importance of the community as a whole taking responsibility for educating the city’s children and introduced the “Three Rs” — relationships, responsibility and results.

Her accomplishments as MCS superintendent also include the removal of 83 schools from the state’s No Child Left Behind list; the restructuring and realignment of administrative departments and positions with alternate funding sources; successful bids for two highly-regarded national programs, New Leaders for New Schools and The New Teacher Project; and the renewal of the district’s focus on literacy with the Memphis City Schools Reads initiative.

‘Memphis City Schools Reads’ campaign prize finalists announced

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Everybody knows that excellent reading skills lead to academic achievement and success in life, but soon, one lucky Memphis City Schools teacher, student and parent each will find out that reading leads to other good things —prizes!

The finalists of the “Two for 2” rewards program for Memphis City Schools Reads reading campaign were chosen this morning in a special program in the Board of Education Auditorium. MCS Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and Board Commissioners Carl Johnson and Stephanie Gatewood took turns reading the names of the finalists’ schools.

Three finalists were chosen for three categories— top student, top parent and top teacher. The finalists will attend the Memphis City Schools Reads Celebration on Tuesday, April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Memphis Public Library, 3030 Poplar, and one winner from each category will be announced. Names will be released to the media after parents, teachers and students have given their permission.

The finalists for the parent category were drawn from a large bin, made by East Career & Technology Center students, containing the names of parents whose children read the campaign requirement of 25 books. These finalists showed outstanding support for the reading campaign by encouraging their children to read.

The finalists are parents of children who attend Delano Elementary, Sea Isle Elementary and Winchester Elementary. One grand prize winner will receive two round-trip airline tickets and a two-night hotel at a U.S. destination of the winner’s choice, provided by campaign sponsor A & I Travel.

The finalists in the teacher category were drawn from a pool of teachers nominated by their principals for their support of the reading campaign. The finalists are from Cummings Elementary, Fox Meadows Elementary and Sharpe Elementary. One grand prize winner will receive two round-trip airline tickets and a two-night hotel at a U.S. destination of the winner’s choice, provided by campaign sponsor A & I Travel.

The finalists in the student category were drawn from a pool of students from each school who read the most books. The finalists are from Hawkins Mill Elementary, Klondike Elementary and Snowden School. The one grand prize winner will receive a special honor that will be announced at the Memphis City Schools Reads Celebration. This award is so secret, even Dr. Johnson doesn’t know what it is!

In addition to the Memphis City Schools Reads Celebration, a special MCS Reads Night will be held at the Redbirds game on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:05 p.m. Everyone in the community is encouraged to attend. Tickets can be purchased at the Redbirds box office or at www.memphisredbirds.com. Dr. Johnson will throw the first pitch, and the game will feature highlights from this year’s reading campaign.

April 20, 2005

White Station High senior receives National Merit Scholarship

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Jacqueline Douglass, a White Station High School senior, is one of 1,070 American high school seniors who will receive a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship.

Douglass, who was awarded the Walgreen Co. Merit Scholarship, is the only Memphis City Schools student to receive a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship this school year. The Walgreen Co. is one of 300 corporations to provide scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Most corporate-sponsored scholarships are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and range from $500 to at least $2,000 per year. Others provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.

The corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships are the first of several awards in the National Merit Scholarship Program to be announced this year. In early May, the organization will announce the 2,500 winners of National Merit $2,500 Scholarships. In late May and July, the corporation will announce about 4,600 recipients of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards.

April 19, 2005

Memphis City Schools will hold meetings for parents and community members at the new “Fresh Start” schools

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools has scheduled meetings at Geeter, Airways and Sherwood Middle Schools for parents and community members to learn more about the “Fresh Start” process, and meet the schools’ new principals. The meetings will be held Thursday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at each school.

Airways Middle School is located at 2601 Ketchum, Geeter Middle School is located at 4649 Horn Lake Road, and Sherwood Middle School is located at 3480 Rhodes.

The school district recently announced that each of the three middle schools would receive “Fresh Start” for the upcoming school year. The “Fresh Start” process removes the existing staff and administrators from the school and starts over with new personnel.

Five schools went through the “Fresh Start” process last year. Those schools include Georgian Hills and Fairview Junior Highs, Vance and Longview Middle Schools and Winchester Elementary.

April 18, 2005

Memphis Symphony Orchestra closes year with Memphis City Schools

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City Schools music teacher Susan Van Dyck will make her debut as director of the new Memphis Children’s Choir at the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s classical season-ending performance this month.

Van Dyck, Campus School music teacher, is the director of the 30 children in the Memphis Children's Choir, which will debut April 30 - May 1 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in “Carmina Burana.”

German composer Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” directed by David Loebel, will conclude the 2004-05 First Tennessee Masterworks Series concerts on Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, at 2:30 p.m.

During the Sunday performance, the MSO will also present its first annual Outstanding Music Educators Award for local public and private music educators who have contributed significantly to music education in Memphis.

“We feel that music education is vital to our community and would like to honor those who have dedicated their lives to sharing music with their students,” said Susan Rice, education director of the Memphis Symphony.

To order tickets, call the MSO Box Office at 324-3627, or visit the MSO office at 3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 501. Tickets may also be ordered through Ticketmaster at (901) 525-1515 or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. Senior, student and group discounts are available.

April 15, 2005

TCAP testing dates for all students in grades 1 – 8 approaching MCS offers suggestions to make testing-taking a success

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — The TCAP Achievement Test is quickly approaching, and Memphis City Schools officials are offering a few suggestions for parents on how to encourage their children to do well.

Memphis City Schools students in grades 1 – 8 will take the TCAP during the week of April 18. To help students prepare for the test, the Tennessee Department of Education has posted TCAP test-taking strategies on its Web site at http://www.state.tn.us/education/tsteststrategies.htm.

In addition, Memphis City Schools officials offer the following tips for parents on TCAP testing:

April 15, 2005

Wooddale Middle ‘MCS Reads’ efforts helped by local Boy Scout

Memphis, Tenn. — Dr. Carol R. Johnson’s Memphis City Schools Reads initiative is reaching more than just the city’s children. One DeSoto County boy is using the literacy program as his special project for Boy Scouts.

Colin Wilson, a home-schooled ninth grade honor student, is a Boy Scout on a mission. He wants to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and has selected MCS Reads as his leadership service project. He developed a service project that involved creating an audio library for low-level reading students at Wooddale Middle, where his mother Shelby Wilson teaches.

Over the past year, Colin has collected books and recruited 31Teen Living class members and 11 National Junior Honor Society members from Wooddale Middle to read a total of 257 books onto cassette tapes. The Honor Society donated five tape recorders for students to check out along with the books. Local businesses donated money to purchase cassette tapes, and libraries donated books.

Through the project, struggling readers are now able to read along with the cassette at their own pace and can stop and rewind the tape to clarify their understanding and reading comprehension. These books can be used by classroom teachers as well, and the reading level of books range from preschool to ninth grade.

April 13, 2005

Memphis City Schools plan community events for end of year

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — As the end of the school year nears, several Memphis City Schools are planning celebratory events that involve their school community members.
Hamilton High School will host “Meet the Principal & Hamilton High School Staff Night” at Cane Creek M.B. Church, 1785 Elvis Presley Blvd., on Thursday, April 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Although business leaders and residents of the 38106 ZIP code area are especially encouraged to attend, the night is open to all community members. Refreshments will be served.

Raleigh-Egypt High School will host its third annual Golf Scramble on Saturday, April 23, at Audubon Golf Course on Park Avenue. The shotgun start will take place at 8 a.m., and entry fees are $65 per person and $250 per four-person team. Fees will benefit the high school. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Trophies and prizes will be awarded, and there will also be a silent auction. For more information, call Jim Dotson at 759-9315.

Hollywood Elementary School will hold a health fair for students entering kindergarten in the 2005-06 school year. The fair will take place in the activity room of Hollywood Elementary, 1346 Bryan St., on Wednesday, April 27. Parents who bring their child’s immunization record will have the opportunity from 8 to 11:30 a.m. for their child to receive immunizations needed to begin school.

Sherwood Middle School will host a community festival Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at the school, 3480 Rhodes. The festival will feature refreshments, games, a 3-on-3-basketball tournament, health screenings, a walk-a-thon, arts and crafts sales and a rummage sale. There are still booths available for the rummage sale. To rent booth space, call Ms. Buford at 416-7760 or 416-4870.

John P. Freeman Optional School will hold a community fair and open house Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school, 5250 Tulane Road. The event will feature John P. Freeman student performances, exhibits, Hispanic art exhibits, games, food and face painting.

April 13, 2005

Memphis City Schools have events planned to gear up for TCAP

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — TCAP test time is right around the corner, and to prepare students and get them motivated for the tests, April 18-29, several Memphis City Schools are hosting special events.

Shelby Oaks Elementary will host a TCAP parade Thursday, April 14 at 12:30 p.m. The parade will feature students in grades 2 – 6 parading around the school building, 6053 Summer Ave., holding banners and signs while chanting TCAP cheers. For the event’s finale, more than 300 balloons will be released signifying Shelby Oaks is "up, up and away" in the TCAP.

LaRose Elementary School will wage its “War Against Low TCAP Scores” beginning Friday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m. As a treat for students, members of the Marine Corps will play a basketball game against LaRose faculty members. In addition, the school will hold a TCAP pep rally for students in grades 2 – 5 at 1 p.m. LaRose is located at 64 Willoughby.

April 13, 2005

Memphis chapter of High School Computer Class still has openings

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City Schools students have the opportunity to learn valuable technology skills through a class offered through the Memphis chapter of the High School Computer Class (HSCC).

Memphis HSCC still has openings for students to join in its program, which teaches students marketable technology skills. Through the course, students learn to design and build their own Web sites. Students are exposed to various Web development applications, including HTML, Java, ASP and database design and implementation. Students are taught through a team concept how to put together an effective resumé. In addition, they are taught interviewing skills, and scholarship opportunities exist.

The program meets every Saturday from April until August, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis campus. All Memphis area students in grades 8 – 12 are invited to enroll. Tuition is $140 per student and covers the cost of books, snacks and lunch during the classes.

For more information, visit www.MemphisHSCC.com or call Jalona Edwards, HSCC coordinator, at 277-2786.

April 12, 2005

MCS Superintendent recommends next round of "Fresh Start" schools for the 2005-06 school year

Memphis City Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson, with input from the Memphis Quality Center and an internal review process, has decided to recommend the "Fresh Start"—removing current staff and starting over with new staff—of Airways Middle, Geeter Middle and Sherwood Middle Schools to address the significant changes needed to improve both the academic program and school climate.

"This is an extremely difficult recommendation for me to consider," said Superintendent Johnson. "While the review committee found that the staff work hard and parents who responded to the survey were supportive of their schools, the academic performance and classroom management challenges remain. I am recommending a ‘Fresh Start’ to the Memphis school board because I believe the academic progress of students at these schools is the top priority. Based on the findings from the external review team along with our own assessment data, we cannot guarantee families that these schools are able to deliver a quality education to students without extremely significant changes."

The external review process was conducted to provide independent assessments, and the district uses this data plus its own internal assessment to determine which action steps are most appropriate. Superintendent Johnson is moving proactively to address concerns at these schools in an attempt to jump-start academic achievement and to try to avoid state-directed mandates, which could be imposed for any of the schools that move into the "alternative governance" category based on this year's test data.

Both the external review and internal assessments of the schools considered such variables as school progress against state and district standards for student achievement, school climate, planning, leadership, attendance and suspension rates, and gifted/talented programming.

Five schools received “Fresh Starts” for the 2004-05 school year as part of the first phase of the “Fresh Start” process. Those schools included: Georgian Hills Junior High, Fairview Junior High, Longview Middle, Vance Middle and Winchester Elementary. The district is monitoring the progress of these schools since those changes were made and will closely analyze the student performance data after this year’s testing.

The “Fresh Start” proposal for the three schools has three main components:

"‘Fresh Start’ is never our first or only option," Johnson said. "The school performance review process is designed to assist schools to identify needs and to make improvements over a period of time. However, the constellation of challenges at many of our schools require a more immediate and urgent response. We are grateful to Dr. Donald Fischer and Dr. Loretta Dale from the Quality Center for their assistance and leadership of this process.”

District administrators will begin meeting over the next two weeks with parents and staff at the affected schools to answer questions and outline next steps in the process.

April 11, 2005

10 Outstanding Teachers to be Honored at 24th Annual Rotary Award for Teacher Excellence Banquet Tuesday, April 12

Written by: Deborah W. Baker
Public Affairs Manager

The recipients of the 2005 Rotary Award for Teacher Excellence (RATE) are the kind of teachers from whom everyone could take a lesson. Nominated by their peers as outstanding examples of having what it takes to be a great teacher today, this year’s 10 RATE recipients will be honored Tuesday, April 12 with a banquet and program beginning at 6 p.m. in the Cook Convention Center, featuring guest speaker Congressman Harold Ford Jr.

“This year’s Rotary Award for Teacher Excellence recipients represent thousands of teachers throughout Shelby County and the Mid-South who work hard every day to give our children their best and to provide them with what they need in the classroom to learn and succeed,” said Peggy Jones, Memphis City Schools Community Development Coordinator, who coordinates the Rotary Award program for the school district. “They embody all that is best, all that is dynamic, dedicated and inspiring, about the teaching profession.”

Receiving the awards for 2005 are:

Tuesday evening’s presentation of the 2005 Rotary Awards for Teacher Excellence marks the 24th annual celebration of outstanding Memphis City Schools teachers by the Memphis Rotary Club.

Serving as co-coordinators of the program for the Memphis Rotary Club are Joe Birch and Kevitt Adler.

Click Here to Download the
2005 Rotary Awards for Teacher Excellence Program

April 11, 2005

Spirit of Giving Awards
WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT LUNCHEON FRIDAY, APRIL 22

MEMPHIS–April 1 — Since 1976, Volunteer Memphis has honored the Mid-South’s top volunteers at its annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. This year’s Spirit of Giving Awards and luncheon will be held at noon on Friday, April 22nd, at the Hilton Memphis on Ridgelake Boulevard. Guests and honorees will gather to celebrate outstanding community service through Volunteer Memphis’ role as a focus for volunteering in the Mid-South region.

Each year, the Spirit of Giving Awards recognize a diverse group of extraordinary volunteers. Nearly 90 nominations for awards were received this year, and an impartial panel of judges formed the selection committee. Winners in the adult, board member, group, senior citizen, and youth categories will be announced at the luncheon. Special awards will also be presented to the nonprofit agency of the year and to a media outlet to recognize efforts on behalf of the nonprofit community. Winners will receive $1,000 for their nominating agency, as well as a handsome personalized award.

The luncheon is co-hosted by Volunteer Memphis’ founding organizations, Junior League of Memphis and National Council of Jewish Women, Memphis Section. Co-chairing the luncheon are Hallie Ward, representing Junior League, and Bari Eiseman, representing NCJW.

Time Warner Cable is the presenting Benefactor Sponsor of the event. Longleaf Partners Funds is the Humanitarian Sponsor, and Good Samaritan Sponsors include Clark and Clark, FedEx Corporation, First Tennessee, Memphis Grizzlies, Nike, and United Way of the Mid-South.

The mission of Volunteer Memphis is to develop, promote, and support volunteerism.

April 8, 2005

‘Memphis City Schools Reads’ wraps up with celebration, game

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — The Memphis City Schools Reads literacy campaign is winding down for the school year, but the fun isn’t over yet.

This month, the MCS Reads campaign will be celebrated at two very special events — the MCS Reads finale and the MCS Reads Redbirds game.

“This year has been a great success,” said Nikita Flynn, marketing communications manager and one of the literacy campaign’s coordinators. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the district’s literacy accomplishments this month.”

The first event, the Redbirds game, will take place on Tuesday, April 26. Every student who won a pair of Redbirds tickets from the monthly drawing at each school will be able to attend the game for free. Tickets may also be purchased at the AutoZone Park box office or online at www.memphisredbirds.com. The game against the Omaha Royals begins at 7:05 p.m.

The finale comes on the next day, Wednesday, April 27, when the Memphis City Schools Reads celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Central Library on Poplar. At the celebration, prizes will be awarded to the top student reader and to a parent and a teacher who have heavily supported MCS Reads. Campaign officials will also recognize business partners and award checks to school officials from the MCS Reads T-shirt fundraiser. A portion of T-shirt sales from each school will be given to school officials.

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, Board Commissioners, principals and business partners, as well as award recipients, will be on hand to share in the festivities. The celebration will also feature performances by Memphis City Schools student groups.

In addition, MCS Reads officials will also launch the summer reading partnership with the Memphis Public Library. Students and adults can join in the fun at the Memphis Public Library during the Summer Reading Club presented by the Memphis Grizzlies. Students can earn fantastic prizes just for reading and visiting the Memphis Public Library & Information Center during June and July. Call 415-2700 for more information, or visit the library Web site at www.memphislibrary.org.

April 8, 2005

Our Children—Our Future recruits record number of volunteers

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — As the school year draws to a close, hundreds of students are reading better and understanding math better, thanks in part to the efforts of Our Children—Our Future volunteer tutors.

Our Children—Our Future, a program that puts volunteers to work tutoring MCS students, paired 476 trained volunteer tutors with students in kindergarten through 12th grade to focus on improving reading and math skills. This year, Our Children—Our Future officials recruited more volunteer tutors than in any other year, and the efforts of a few organizations made a significant contribution to the program’s growth.

“Research has shown that one-on-one tutoring has a tremendous impact on improving students’ academic skills, so we encourage the community to support our program and our students,” said Barbara Dawson, Our Children—Our Future program manager. “This year, the community really stepped up to the plate, donating a lot of time and energy to Memphis City Schools students.”

More than 70 percent of MCS students live in families whose income meets the federal requirements to receive free or reduced-price meals, and about 40 percent of the district’s kindergartners have never attended a preschool or daycare center. While Memphis City Schools has the moral and legal obligation to educate the city’s children, this job cannot be done alone, Dawson said.

“All adults, organizations and institutions in the metropolitan area must join together to form a ‘safety net’ of academic support that is so tightly interwoven that no child falls through the cracks,” she said.

Recently, Independent Sector estimated the hourly value of a tutor at $17.55. If Memphis City Schools were to pay every volunteer tutor for every hour they spent with students, it would cost the school district $8,354 per week!

The community groups that had the most volunteer tutors participate in the Our Children—Our Future program were Christian Brothers University, FedEx, Memphis Area Association of Realtors, Memphis City Schools and Rhodes College.

“The services volunteer tutors contribute to this school district are invaluable,” Dawson said. “There is no way this program could exist without the tutors’ donated time.”

When Janas Jackson began tutoring at Raineshaven Elementary School last winter, the fifth grader she met with once a week had a D average in reading. By the end of that semester, the same girl was on the honor roll.

“That was the most rewarding part of my experience as a volunteer tutor,” said Jackson, a senior communications specialist at FedEx who became a volunteer tutor with Our Children—Our Future because she feels that educating Memphis' children is the whole community’s responsibility.

“In addition to the educators and administrators, the whole community needs to be involved in improving student performance,” Jackson said. “This needs to be a grassroots effort.”

Jackson became so passionate about her tutoring efforts that last school year, even though she was busy at work, she still met her weekly tutoring appointments — at 7:30 in the morning. She was also the founder of the Our Children—Our Future recruitment program at FedEx.

The majority of the volunteers from Rhodes tutor at Cypress Elementary School and Springdale Elementary School, where the college participates in a partnership. The program manager for Rhodes, Becky Seleska, a junior at Rhodes, tries to stress to students the importance of community involvement.

“I make it as easy as possible for Rhodes students to participate,” said Seleska, who tutors two seventh graders at Cypress Middle. “I have worked extensively with both Cypress and Springdale toward flexible hours for our tutors, let people borrow my car, while serving as a volunteer at both schools myself.”

Not participating is not an option for responsible citizens, Seleska said.
“ Educational inequality is not something I am willing to accept—nor should anyone else,” she said. “The fact of the matter is that we are dealing with pockets of the population that are seemingly isolated from the rest of society. Tutoring is the best remedial tool we have now, so I figure, why not participate?”

The Memphis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR) has been involved with the Our Children - Our Future tutoring program for three years. The group’s tutors volunteer at East High, Sheffield Elementary, Springdale Elementary and Treadwell Elementary.

“MAAR became involved with this program due to our members' understanding of how a little bit of extra help can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child,” said Lee Ann Williams-Maley, MAAR public affairs director.

Although tutor training has wrapped up for the 2004-05 school year, tutors can register to volunteer for next school year. All that is needed to become a volunteer tutor is a strong commitment, a desire to make a difference in a child’s life and strong basic skills. Volunteers can tutor math or reading in one of 25 of the district’s high-priority schools. Volunteers start by tutoring one child at a time for 30 minutes a week for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and 45 minutes a week for students in sixth through 12th grade.

Before entering the schools, volunteer tutors undergo training at the Teaching and Learning Academy, 2485 Union Ave., to learn tutoring techniques and procedures.

“These training programs offer volunteers the opportunity to become equipped with the tools and materials they need to make their tutoring experience with our students a joint success,” said Dawson. “Research has shown that one-on-one tutoring has a tremendous impact on improving students’ academic skills, so we encourage everyone to support our program and our students.”

For more information on how to become a volunteer tutor, to sign up for a tutor training program or to find out how to implement a volunteer tutor recruiting program at work, contact Our Children—Our Future at 416-5732.

“Volunteer tutoring not only benefits the children of Memphis City Schools,” Dawson said, “it benefits the city as a whole by allowing community members to be active in — and take pride in — their school system.”

April 7, 2005

Memphis City Schools Board approves merger of eight schools

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools will save $5 million next year and $38 million over five years as a result of merging eight schools next school year. Of the $5 million in year one savings, $1.9 million will help decrease the general fund deficit the district is currently facing. The remaining savings impact the capital improvement budget. The Board of Education approved the mergers during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting in a 6-2 vote.

Commissioners Stephanie Gatewood, Tomeka Hart, Deni Hirsh, Michael Hooks, Patrice Jordan-Robinson and Dr. Jeff Warren voted in favor of the school mergers. Commissioners Wanda Halbert and Carl Johnson voted against merging schools. Commissioner Sara Lewis was not present at Monday’s meeting.

Locke Elementary will merge into Georgia Avenue Elementary; Stafford Elementary will merge into Cummings Elementary; Walker Elementary will merge into Ford Road Elementary; and Dunn Elementary will merge into Norris Elementary. Superintendent Carol Johnson pulled the recommendation to merge Orleans Elementary into Lincoln Elementary because Orleans has a number of special needs students. Staff wi