A federal judge will hear arguments Oct. 2 on whether or not the state oversight board can get to work while a lawsuit over the takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is underway.
Plaintiffs filed a motion June 30 asking the court to allow the school board to continue to operate while the lawsuit plays out and to prevent the defendants, which include Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and members of the oversight board, from interfering with or terminating any MSCS leadership without legal cause while the case is ongoing.
Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr. in Nashville will hear arguments on these topics on Oct. 2.
Shelby County Government, MSCS, the school board, Shelby County Board of Commissioners and the nine individual members of the elected school board sued
state leadership over the takeover in mid June.
On July 1, the first day of the oversight board's legal start, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order pausing the takeover. The defendants are also asking the court to dissolve that order.
The Educational Oversight Board of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is made up of nine members, chosen by state officials.
The hearing was originally set for Sept. 24, but the plaintiffs requested it be moved to Oct. 2.
Idlewild Elementary School earns recognition
Idlewild Elementary School earned a National Certification from Magnet Schools of America, Memphis-Shelby County Schools announced Sept. 15.
The certification honors magnet schools that demonstrate excellence in programming, innovation, equity, diversity and academic achievement.
Magnet schools are public schools that offer special programs and classes that may not be available in other public schools, like STEM classes and fine and performing arts studies.
Idlewild was selected for the award from more than 300 applications requesting more than $1 million in funding, according to MSCS. MSCS pointed to the school’s efforts to expand robotics opportunities and hands-on STEM learning for students.
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: Judge to hear arguments on Memphis schools takeover lawsuit
