Back to school
Here’s what’s new in Memphis schools as the new year begins.
Memphis-area students return to school Monday for the 2019-2020 school year, many in districts with new superintendents, others with new principals and some in new school buildings.
New year, new superintendent in Shelby County
In Shelby County Schools, Superintendent Joris Ray will have his first backto-school day after his appointment in April, after acting as the interim superintendent since December 2018.
In a recent interview with The Commercial Appeal, Ray described his vision for the future of SCS focusing on a change in the culture, rather than a specific initiative. Success in this change, he told The Commercial Appeal, will require commitment across the Memphis community, from SCS to public officials, law enforcement, parents, students and faith-based organizations.
“This is something that is going to be embedded in our school district for years to come,” he said of the changes.
Ray appointed Patrice Williamson-Thomas as chief of staff.
Ten new schools will open, while five have closed
Ten new schools will be welcoming students for the first time this school year, Chalkbeat reported, and five schools have closed.
New schools this year are Astor College Prep, Memphis Merit Academy, University Middle School, Parkway Village Elementary School and six schools within the New Day Schools charter network.
Closing are City University Boys Preparatory, Du Bois Elementary School of Arts Technology, Du Bois Middle School of Arts Technology, Du Bois Middle School of Leadership Public Policy, Hamilton Elementary School and Gateway University High School.
A student proposal for public transit opportunities was passed by the school board on July 30, Chalkbeat reported. According to the proposal, 3,000 SCS high school students and their parents will receive passes to use the city’s bus system.
New school in Germantown
In Germantown, hundreds of new students will go to the newly opened Forest Hill Elementary School.
This is the first school the Germantown Municipal School District has built from the ground up since its formation in 2013.
New superintendent, later start times in Collierville
In Collierville, high school and middle school students will begin school slightly later in the morning this year. High school begins at 7:30 a.m. and middle school begins at 8:15 a.m. Start time for elementary school remains 9 a.m. Also new this school year is Collierville Schools Superintendent Gary Lilly.
Collierville High School students will begin the school year with new principal Roger L. Jones III. Scott Robinson will start as the new boys basketball coach and Joe Rocconi as the new football coach.
Larger school and additional staff in Lakeland
In Lakeland, students at Lakeland Elementary will return this school year to a new 12-classroom addition. An additional guidance counselor has also been added at both Lakeland Elementary and Lakeland Middle Preparatory, Superintendent Ted Horrell said.
The school system is in the process of hiring two additional teachers, one for kindergarten and one for first grade, “due to higher than anticipated enrollment on registration night,” Horrell said.
New principals in Bartlett
In Bartlett, Ellendale Elementary School has a new principal in Michelle Bardos. Sharonda Rose is the new principal at Rivercrest Elementary School.
Some new buildings have been added to the Bartlett High School campus as part of the school’s renovation project. The final phase of construction is scheduled to be complete for the start of the 2020-21 school year, said Jason Sykes, a spokesperson for the district.
Laura Testino covers education and children’s issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763.