SCS questions 8th-grader plan

Illegal or unusual? Officials want answers about one school’s plan for its students

Thirty-six Memphis children caught in a lengthy political fight could soon have an answer about where they can attend eighth grade this fall, but Shelby County Schools officials are questioning the legality of a state-endorsed plan to educate them.

At minimum, the plan would create one of the most unusual academic situations in Shelby County, and raise questions about how much oversight SCS has into its charter networks and its relationship to the state-run Achievement School District, which operates dozens of Memphis schools.

Aspire Coleman, a Memphis school in the state-run district, announced this week students who just finished seventh grade at Coleman a few weeks ago will be allowed to return to the campus for their final year of middle school.

But technically, they will be enrolled elsewhere, at the Aspire charter network’s other school off Winchester. They would essentially operate a satellite campus of one school — just for one grade — in the same building as another.

“This decision is legal and is in the best interest of our students,” Aspire Memphis Superintendent Allison Leslie said in a statement.

The Tennessee Department of Education endorses this plan, a statement from Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said.

But Aspire and the state did not seek approval from SCS, and district officials have several lingering concerns.

“My question would be, is this legal?” said SCS board member Stephanie Love, whose district includes Coleman.

“I just question, what is this really about?” Love said.

Logistical issues remain, she said, including whether a charter school under SCS is allowed to change locations without the school board’s approval, and whether the single grade would have its own on-site principal.

Superintendent Dorsey Hopson sent board members an email Thursday saying he received a press release from Aspire announcing its plan.

“I have not had an opportunity to speak with their representatives or the State about this decision but intend to do so (Friday),” Hopson’s email said. “If you