A state-of-the-art STEM lab, upgraded HVAC system, energy-efficient lights, and eco-friendly windows are coming to Riverview PreK-8 school in South Memphis.
The enhancements are part of a $9.5 million grant announced on Thursday, June 29, by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Biden Administration Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu during their visit to Riverview. The grant is part of the Administration’s $500 million Renew America's Schools Program, which promotes the implementation of clean energy improvements at public schools across the country.
Granholm said the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) received 1,000 applications for the grant, and Riverview was one of the 24 Round 1 selectees.
Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy
District 6 Board Member Keith Williams and Board Chair Rev. Althea Greene“This grant empowers us to enhance our curriculum, invest in cutting-edge technology, and provide our educators with the necessary resources to continue fostering a love for learning,” said Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board Chair Althea Greene.
District 6 Board Member Keith Williams, who represents Riverview, added, “This grant represents a beacon of opportunity and a reminder of the incredible potential of the Riverview community. There is a lot of good in South Memphis!”
Julius Muse, MSCS Chief of Business Operations, said “Riverview was selected for the grant based on a stringent application process that evaluated both needs and potential impact on students, staff, and the community.The DOE guidance and regular progress updates will ensure that the project stays on track.”
Muse joined MSCS in 2022 and has been an integral part in helping to execute Interim Superintendent Toni Williams’ vision of transforming the District’s portfolio of schools, including securing funding from the Shelby County Commission to help construct the District’s first new high schools in 10 years. New high schools in Frayser and Cordova are scheduled to be completed in 2026.
Williams said that she’s encouraged by the recent developments.
“We are thrilled that the Department of Energy has made this investment in Riverview to help MSCS not only implement clean energy improvements but also provide students with a hands-on lab where they can witness up-close the power of conservation and renewable energy,” she said.
“With the Riverview upgrades and plans for two new high schools, the momentum we’re experiencing in Memphis-Shelby County Schools is undeniable,” added Williams.