Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 28, comprehensive steps to reduce costs and improve efficiency, ensuring that every dollar invested directly supports student learning. As school districts nationwide grapple with the sunsetting of ESSER funds, it is imperative that MSCS enacts data-driven strategies that streamline operations and optimize resources to achieve cost savings.
“We are committed to managing our resources effectively and ensuring that every dollar is invested in ways that support our students’ learning and create opportunities to support schools directly,” said MSCS Interim Superintendent Toni Williams.
MSCS’ top priority is preparing students for their future and ensuring that the District has the resources needed to impact its bottom line: scholars’ academic and personal growth.
“These considerations address the sunsetting of federal stimulus dollars, represent our commitment to fiscal responsibility, and reflect our dedication to providing students with a first-class education,” said Williams.
“This is an opportunity to ensure sweeping alignment of District resources to support efficiencies in the classroom, including in-school coaching models, teacher retention and compensation, and a reduction in top-level management.”
The considerations include:
Improving Fidelity of Academic Strategies: The District will take a data-driven approach in examining the impact and return of the strategies that were created or expanded through the onset of federal funds. The assessment will inform the sustainability of high-impact initiatives such as tutoring and specialized education assistants to ensure MSCS continues to serve students in ways that show academic gains.
Streamlining Operations and Realigning Central Office Staff: The District will identify opportunities to consolidate administrative functions and streamline processes to eliminate redundancies. The ultimate objective is to realign central office staff to fill direct support positions within schools, providing teachers and students with the resources they need to succeed.
Negotiating Competitive Deals: The District will incorporate performance-based contracts and reviews to secure better prices on goods and services, locking in savings and reducing procurement costs. This new way of business will ensure a return on investments for solicited services that provide the most return for the District and for students.
Infrastructure Planning: The District is reviewing its entire infrastructure footprint to assess feeder patterns and proximity, including regions with historically poor academic performance, recent investments, and building utilization. Alongside communities and the Board, MSCS will consider building sale and reuse opportunities to reduce its infrastructure footprint, optimize usage, institute cost savings, and establish shared spaces to serve community-wide needs.
Although no recommendations have been confirmed, MSCS is committed to continuous improvement. We will discuss the implications of these measures with the School Board and will closely monitor any forthcoming implementation.
“These avenues are a compass that will allow us to chart a path of opportunity for every child in our District,” said Williams. “We must be efficient with every dollar so that our students will not only “see the future” but have the support and resources they need to seize the future.”