News Summary
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board has approved a budget of $1.95 billion, the first under interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond. The budget allocates $1.37 billion for the general fund and $143 million for capital improvements. Key focus areas include enhanced school safety measures, funding for break academies, and construction of new educational facilities. However, uncertainties regarding federal funding persist, and critical employee benefits will be provided within the budget. The plan will be presented to the Shelby County Commission for final endorsement.
Memphis – The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board approved a budget totaling $1.95 billion during a meeting held on June 11, 2025. This budget marks the first financial plan under the leadership of interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond, who took over in January after the dismissal of former Superintendent Marie Feagins.
The approved budget allocates $1.37 billion to the general fund and $143 million designated for capital improvements. Notably, two board members, Michelle McKissack and Sable Otey, were absent during the vote and did not participate in the approvals.
The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes, with the MSCS assistant superintendent providing assurances that the budget could be amended if necessary, allowing for a swift approval process. Key points within the budget include enhanced measures for school safety, such as funding for additional “mobile” security officers, as well as upgrades to safety and fire systems.
Furthermore, the budget reinstates funding for spring and fall break academies with an investment of around $490,000, following previous cuts due to financial constraints. However, amidst these allocations, the district faces uncertainties regarding $55.6 million in federal funds as the U.S. Department of Education has altered the liquidation timeline for Covid-19-related funding.
In May, Richmond and fellow district official Langston requested approximately $37.7 million in one-time investments. Although their request was substantially reduced, the approved budget includes $5 million specifically earmarked for deferred maintenance needs.
Additional features of the budget include a $1 million allocation towards the Goodwill Excel program, funded directly from MSCS’s budget rather than through outside county requests. Charter school development receives over $270 million, while employee retirement benefits will be allocated $25 million. Furthermore, approximately $18 million will go towards funding music and arts programs.
The construction of educational facilities is a priority, with over $73 million set aside for a new Frayser High School and a high school in the East Region. In an effort to enhance specialized education, the budget will support the expansion of funding for specialized education assistants (SEA) to include third-grade students for the first time, amounting to $29.4 million.
The budget also features a 2% raise for certain district staff, which is expected to incur an initial expense of $6.4 million. However, it does not propose changes to the current pay scale for educators. Notably, funding for historical activity buses has been eliminated under the new financial plan.
Following the board’s approval, the budget is set to be presented to the Shelby County Commission for final endorsement. Amendments to the budget can be proposed until June 30 before it undergoes its final submission to the commission.
In related news, Tennessee lawmakers have initiated the proposal of a $6 million audit of MSCS. This audit is intended to serve as a preliminary step towards establishing a potential state-run oversight board for the district, indicating ongoing scrutiny and potential shifts in governance for the school system.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis-Shelby County Schools Budget
- Local Memphis: MSCS Approves $2 Billion Budget
- Daily Memphian: Memphis-Shelby County Schools Budget Raises
- Fox 13 Memphis: Shelby County Commissioners Discuss Budget Proposals
- Tennessee Lookout: Tennessee Planning $6 Million Audit of MSCS
- Wikipedia: Memphis
- Google Search: Memphis Shelby County Schools budget
- Google Scholar: Memphis Shelby County Schools budget
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memphis
- Google News: Memphis Shelby County Schools budget
