According to the school district’s calendar, Memphis-Shelby County schools will be closed on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.
Thirteen of the schools in the district will be used as polling places for registered voters to cast their ballots.
Those schools are:
- Northaven Elementary
- Chimneyrock Elementary
- Cordova High
- Shady Grove Elementary
- White Station Middle School
- Oak Forest Elementary
- Grandview Heights Middle
- Compass Community School, Berclair
- Dexter K-8
- Bruce Elementary
- Vision Prep
- Raleigh Bartlett Meadows Elementary School
- Highland Oaks Elementary
Still, teachers will be required to work.
According to an email from the district, they will be required to attend a three-hour professional development seminar that day.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) will also be closed to students next Tuesday, according to that district’s calendar.
However, like Memphis-Shelby County, MNPS teachers must partake in a professional development day.
“K-12 ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and ESL teachers will spend time planning in grade level, content area, vertically, or a combination, while they apply prior learning from August [District Learning Day], September TDW, along with the Academic Foci Scope to practice,” according to the calendar. “Individual school planning structures are subject to vary by school and are designated by the school principal between 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.”
Tuesday is Election Day nationwide.
Some of the high-profile races in Tennessee include the race for Tennessee’s newly-minted 5th Congressional District, which will see Republican Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles square off with State Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-District 20), along with Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s bid for reelection.
Several Constitutional amendments will be put to a vote, too, including the line of succession for the governor’s office.
“On the November 8 ballot, Tennessee voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed amendment to the state constitution that establishes a framework for a temporary transition of power for the highest elected official in the state,” said the Tennessee General Assembly, as reported by The Tennessee Star. “If approved, the amendment would be invoked if the governor is temporarily incapacitated and unable to perform his or her duties, most likely due to a medical emergency. Tennessee is the only state that does not have a provision in its state constitution to address this issue.”
Another Constitutional amendment would make it illegal to deny employment to Tennesseeans based on their affiliation with a worker’s union.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Chimneyrock Elementary School” by SCS-Chimneyrock Elementary School.