Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) is proposing a sweeping set of school closures and consolidations that could save the district more than $6 million in the first year, according to a new Facilities & Repurposing Report presented to the school board this week.¶
The plan, presented by the district’s facilities chief Michelle Stuart, recommends closing or merging at least five campuses across the city to address aging buildings, declining enrollment, and underused classroom space. District officials say the move would allow Memphis schools to improve operations and redirect savings toward instruction and facility improvements.¶
Consolidations Across the City¶
The proposals include multiple mergers and outright school closures.¶
- Chickasaw Middle School would merge with Westwood High School, forming a combined grades 6–12 campus.
- Frayser-Corning Elementary would consolidate into Whitney and Westside Elementary Schools.
- Georgian Hills Elementary students would be absorbed into Whitney and Hawkins Mill.
- Ida B. Wells Academy would close entirely, with students given transfer options across the district.
- Lucy Elementary School would transfer to Millington Municipal Schools, as required by a new state lawbarring county-run schools inside municipal boundaries.
Together, the proposals reflect a district-wide effort to reduce excess capacity and modernize school facilities. The district says many of the affected campuses are operating at 40–55 percent utilization, while others face multimillion-dollar maintenance costs over the next decade.¶
Underused Buildings, Rising Costs¶
Chickasaw Middle and Westwood High, located just one mile apart, are each less than half full. The consolidation would raise Westwood’s utilization to roughly 75 percent and save nearly $954,000 in operating costs.¶
Similarly, merging Frayser-Corning into nearby schools would save an estimated $1.06 million, while the Georgian Hills plan would save $910,000.¶
At Ida B. Wells Academy, one of the district’s smallest campuses with only 84 students, the district estimates $2.1 million in first-year savings. Despite the school’s B rating and above-average academic growth, officials cited the building’s $5.8 million in needed repairs and lack of a defined attendance zone as reasons for closure.¶
Board Members Weigh In¶
The board discussion Tuesday night on the issue wasn’t lengthy, but some members did call for the district to present the information in “plain speak” so that parents, students, and teachers who attend the upcoming community meeting will understand the plans outlined in the report.¶
Board chair Natalie McKinney brought up the point that community members should be able to have a clear picture of what their students’ new school environment will be like.¶
“I think one thing that would be helpful is for people to see what the current programming is in their schools, and then what they’re going to be going into,” said McKinney.¶
Board member Stephanie Love, a representative of Frayser Schools, said she wants her team to make sure any rezoning considers how a student gets to school.¶
“I’ve looked at all these schools personally, and I encourage my team to do it,” said Love. “Because it’s an extremely important decision that we’re making, in regard to sidewalks and buses and things like that, prior to any consolidation, merger, or repurpose.”¶
Academic and Community Impact¶
District leaders argue in the report that combining resources could expand course offerings, extracurricular programs, and student supports. Westwood, for example, already offers career-technical education pathways, dual-enrollment courses, AP (advanced placement) classes, and Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC).¶
The report notes that a total of dozens of staff positions could be eliminated or reassigned, and some bus routes may be adjusted to reflect new attendance patterns.¶
The consolidation plan will go before the MSCS Board of Education for public discussion and a vote later this year. If approved, the changes would take effect beginning in the 2026–27 school year.¶
