The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board of education approved an amendment to increase the 2027 fiscal year budget by nearly $120 million.
The school board previously passed a $1.7 billion budget on May 26.
The amendment includes $11.9 million set aside for deferred maintenance. It mirrors a June 29 Shelby County Commission amendment, which allocated $11.9 million, initially set aside for the East Region High School for deferred maintenance.
Progress on the East Region school has remained slow since 2023, when the Shelby County Commission passed an increase on the wheel tax to fund the construction of two new high schools.
In November 2024, the Memphis City Council
denied a special use permit for the property where the new East Region High School was set to be built after resident outcry near the site. City council members at the time also criticized the uncertainty in funding the school, which has seen costs expand.
In a June 30 statement, MSCS said the district was "working diligently" to find a location.
MSCS is still waiting for The Shelby County Commission to approve its budget.
New principals
13 Memphis-Shelby County Schools have new principals for the 2026-27 school year.
New principals are as follows:
Elementary schools
Gardenview Elementary School – Terra Stigger
Northaven Elementary School – Dr. Tonya Hervey
Sherwood Elementary School – Dr. Nadiyah S. McMurray (formerly Academic Coordinator, Southwest Regional Office)
Georgian Hills Middle School – Dr. Natasha Gossett
Middle schools
Grandview Heights Middle School – Dr. Eula Anderson (formerly Assistant Principal, Grandview Heights Middle School)
Kirby Middle School – Dr. Rasheeda Jemison
Oakhaven Middle School – Mr. Desmond Hendricks (formerly Assistant Principal, Craigmont High School)
Raleigh Egypt Middle School – Dr. Marilyn Peete Hilliard (formerly Principal of Special Assignment, Gardenview Elementary School)
K-8 School
Interim Principal – Riverview K-8 School – Mr. Andrew McFarland (formerly Assistant Principal, Hamilton High School)
High schools
Bolton High School – Genita Bell
Central High School – Mr. Carlton McClelland (formerly Assistant Principal at Trezevant High School)
Hillcrest High School – Dr. Tonya Diggs
Kirby High School – Julius Blackburn
Where can I get my child vaccinated before school starts?
The Shelby County Health Department will offer immunizations and shot records with no appointments needed at two outreach events this week.
From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Whitehaven Community Center at 4318 Graceland Drive and at Memphis Sports and Event Center at 995 Early Maxwell Blvd.
Parents can also visit the health department's immunization clinic at 814 Jefferson Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments at this location are strongly encouraged and walk-ins are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis if scheduling allows.
There are several satellite clinics that also offer appointments:
- Cawthon Public Health Clinic, 1000 Haynes Street, Memphis, TN 38114, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic, 6590 Kirby Center Cove, Memphis, TN 38115, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Millington Public Health Clinic, 8225 U.S. Hwy 51, Millington, TN 38053, Tuesday and Thursday only, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic, 1826 Sycamore View Rd, Memphis, TN 38134, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A list of required immunizations for each grade level can be found on the MSCS website.
Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at jack.armstrong@commercialappeal.com and followed on X @jca2902.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MSCS adopts nearly $120 million budget amendment
