One of the greater unknowns of the next school year will be the status of the Memphis-Shelby County School’s FY2027 budget. One of the levers of the power of a state-picked oversight board will be control of the annual budget.
Despite the lack of clarity, MSCS brass aren’t deviating from standard operating procedure. On Wednesday, May 13 the district’s leadership presented its first draft of the proposed $1.69 billion budget to Shelby County Commissioners.
According to the new MSCS leader, the document stresses five “A’s” — academics, attendance, attitude, athletics and arts — as a “pathway to greatness.”
“This framework guides everything that we do with our students from birth through post-secondary. It also ensures intentional support at every stage of their journey, from kindergarten readiness to college, career and life readiness,” said MSCS Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond.
Shelby County splits the brunt of the costs with the state. A total of $673 million in funding grants come from the state, while the county pays $512 million. The rest of the money comes from local, federal sources. The City of Memphis chips in $1.3 million.
“A little over $684 million goes directly to schools. That’s how we pay our teachers. It’s how we get different support directly into the classroom,” informed MSCS Chief of Business Operations Tito Langston.
Many of MSCS’ FY2027 priorities are mainstays of academic institutions —promote academic growth, recruit and retain the “most effective” teacher and administrators, and prepare students for a global workforce.
Public sentiment also was gauged before the draft was prepared. Along with public forums, surveys were conducted to draw up a short list of demands. The questionnaire plumbed student, parent, teacher, administrator, school board member and MSCS employee opinion.
Many students requested an expansion of mental health services available to them. Some have struggled during the post-Covid return to normalcy. Social media provides another stress factor. The proposed budget includes $5.6 million for mental health support. Furthermore, social emotional learning and behavioral support receive $12.1 million.
“I know teaching Gen-Zs, that’’s a huge issue with them,” said commissioner Erika Sugarmon.
The White Haven High School educator also said many students would like to see an expansion of trade programs, along with possible co-enrollment in the county’s various trade school programs. A variety of skills are taught at the locations, including HVAC repair, welding, construction, cosmetology, to name a few.
Richmond also dispelled a myth among students that attendance didn’t factor into graduation. According to Sugarmon, oft-truant White Haven students would dismiss attendance concerns as a non-factor.
“The district doesn’t do that. That is a site-based decision,” said Richmond. “If that is happening at your school, that shouldn’t be occurring,” replied Richmond.
Student attendance is one of six metrics under scrutiny of state lawmakers, following the passage of a recent state law.
Last month, the Republican lawmakers approved legislation that establishes a state-appointed oversight board to take control of MSCS. A takeover would be triggered if the school system fails in four out of the six metrics. The others are academic ratings, school performance, leadership stability, priority status, and financial integrity.
Commissioners recently approved a resolution to allocate $200,000 to fund a lawsuit in a bid to upend the takeover.
Chronic absenteeism is defined by a student missing 18 full days, or 10% of the school year. According to Richmond, MSCS’ absentee rate dropped by 3.7% in 2026. Still, Richmond put MSCS’s “cumulative” number between “35%-45%” in 2025-2026.
“Normally, when I’m looking at a high school, I hope the attendance rate is above 90%,” conceded Richmond.
However, many students in MSCS don’t have “normal” backgrounds. Many struggle in poverty, with a lack of access to basics, like food and transportation. Some have only one parent at home. Others don’t even have that much.
“You start thinking about those things and you think about missing 18 days, but looking at some of the conditions our students are growing up in, the challenges that they have. I think our students do a great job just to get up and come to school each and every day,” said Richmond.
To recruit and retain the “most effective” teachers and administrators, MSCS is offering a variety of bonuses. Teachers who remain at the same location for the entire year will receive $1,000. Moreover, “hard to staff” teachers, such as special education and “end of course” instructors will score $2,500. Teachers with special certifications will receive extra compensation too.
Last month, the school board gave teachers a 2% raise too.
“Since we’ve got TISA (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement) dollars, we’ve invested over $100 million in the teacher salary schedule over the past five years. This year was no different,” said Richmond.
MSCS also plans to continue investment in schools. This is headlined by two new high schools under construction for Frayser and Cordova. Both projects continue apace. Eight schools are also slated for renovations, thanks to private donations.
The budget also calls for “tech-ready” classrooms and collaborative spaces. Athletic facilities would receive upgrades too.
To cut down on costs, four schools were approved for mergers this year. One is slated for closure.
