MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The big news from Memphis-Shelby County schools this week was not about rising test scores, but a falling ceiling. And now, legitimate questions are being raised about whether enough attention is given to the buildings in the state’s largest school system.
Portions of the ceiling in two library rooms at Cummings Elementary School in South Memphis crashed to the floor on Monday, injuring three staff members. Thankfully, the injuries were not critical, and no students were involved.
The school is now temporarily closed as students attend classes at nearby LaRose Elementary. The district has also ordered inspections of all buildings older than 70 years with drop ceilings.
In June of last year, the MSCS asked the Shelby county commission for $55 million in additional funding for building projects and maintenance. The commission rejected that proposal but did approve just over $22 million from its capital improvement budget.
I’m certainly not blaming the commission for the ceiling collapse at Cummings, but it’s no secret that MSCS holds classes in some very old buildings where much needed maintenance has been deferred for years. The district did receive millions in COVID-19 stimulus money, much of which was used for heating and air units at several schools.
The district has started to show noticeable improvement in state testing and overall academic performance. And it’s important that the community invests the resources to bring school buildings up to par.