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Memphis schools have access again to more than $55 million in federal funding after the U.S. Department of Education reversed course and unfroze millions of pandemic relief funds.
Tito Langston, Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ assistant superintendent of operations, and a Metro Nashville Public Schools spokesperson confirmed to Chalkbeat Tennessee that the Tennessee Department of Education informed school districts of the federal reversal on June 27.
“Receiving the full $55.6 million allows us to move forward with planned projects and expenditures that had been placed on hold,” Langston said. “It significantly strengthens our financial position and enables us to maintain a healthy fund balance going into next year.”
The decision frees up millions for schools across Tennessee.