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March 18 - 24, 2021

VOL. 70, No. 11

www.tsdmemphis.com

COVID-19 UPDATE

Loosening of COVID-19 mandates signal optimism by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

SEE COVID-19 ON PAGE 2

Wearing masks in keeping with local safety protocols, a crew of LeMoyne-Owen College supporters cleaned up a section of Walker Ave., which borders the campus, last Saturday. Story, more photos on Community, Page 7. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Council says ‘No’ to Byhalia Pipeline

by James Coleman

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

In what was hailed as an important first step toward an ordinance banning construction of the proposed Byhalia Connection Pipeline through areas of Southwest Memphis, the Memphis City Council has approved a resolution opposing the construction. The 12-0 vote resulted from Tuesday’s regularly scheduled council session. “My resolution merely speaks to the fact that there is a predilection for these companies for using African-American communities to put these toxic facilities through,” said Councilman Jeff Warren, who sponsored the resolution. “There is no particular reason that they need to do that. It (the resolution) does call on us to investigate and attempt to pass whatever ordinances that are available.” The 49-mile crude oil pipeline envisioned in the Plains All American Pipeline LP project would cut through southwest Memphis and pass over the Memphis Sands Aquifer, the main drinking water resource for Memphis and the larger area. Opponents fear leaks and other accidents could harm the vital resource. Meanwhile, the developers have circulated an open letter to Memphis residents conveying, in

Justin J. Pearson (left), co-founder of Memphis Community Against the Pipeline, listened intently as former Vice President Al Gore detailed his opposition to the project at Southwest Memphis rally on Sunday. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley) part, that partners in the venture have been listening to the residents’ concerns and working to meet expectations for 18 months. “All the while, our commitment to treating Mem-

phians with care, respect and consideration remains firm,” the letter reads. “We take our responsibility

SEE PIPELINE ON PAGE 2

‘Intentionality’ drives Paul Young to Downtown Memphis Commission by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Paul Young

SCS puts focus on 3rd grade reading skills, learning loss by Dena Owens

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

With the number of COVID-19 cases falling, the Shelby County Health Department, as anticipated, issued a new directive, relaxing safety guidelines lines for restaurants and easing mask wearing requirements. Directive 19, announced Wednesday (March 17), does not totally end virus safety mandates for businesses and masking, as has happened in Texas and Mississippi. The local directive is effective beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday (March 20.) Shelby County Health Department Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Randolph, regarding bars and restaurants, said the new directive: • Increases the number of people at tables from six to eight. • Still requires people seated together be of the same family unit or close contact group. • Encourages bartenders to wear a face shield or double mask while serving multiple groups at the bar, but are not required to do so. • Lets operating hours for dine-in service end at 1 a.m. (Customers may stay until 1:30 to complete meal/payment arrangements). • Removes two-hour limit for food service. • Requires any location that serves beer or alcohol to also serve food as required by state law (and have a permit to do so).

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Paul Young Paul Young, City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development director, was named the next president and chief executive officer of the Downtown Memphis Commission DMC) Tuesday morning. The commission’s board gave Young unanimous approval after a national search

for its new leader. Young received an enthusiastic nod from Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, who called Young “an invaluable leader of our Division of Housing and Community Development.” Wednesday was a seemingly never-ending series of news interviews, requests for comments and photos, and congratulatory phone calls. Much has been made of Young’s new role, his impressive education and the ac-

complishments tallied in past positions in city government. But, what does Young feel he brings to the DMC that others have missed? That’s easy, Young says: “Intentionality.” “Intentionality is the element in administration that will govern how we move forward,” said Young. “There should be an overall review of agency programs, and adjustments must be made in those programs

SEE YOUNG ON PAGE 2

Shelby County Schools has a new plan to ensure more students enter third grade at third-grade reading level. The plan comes as the state strengthens laws on student retention. Starting in 2022, the new law requires students to be held back in second grade if they can’t read at a third-grade level by the end of the school year. (Third grade is a strong indicator of a child’s educational outcome. In 2018, SCS data showed 21.4 percent of third graders were reading on grade level.) Third Grade Commitment – the SCS plan to measure reading ability in four areas – lines up with state efforts to improve student literacy and reduce retention. SCS will assess a child’s reading level using four methods: (1) report cards, (2) universal screenings, (3) diagnostic exams, and the (4) second grade end-of-year exam (TNReady for English Language Arts). District leaders strongly uphold assessing students in four key areas, which is different from the state’s policy to only use TNReady results to evaluate students. SCS will run universal screenings and diagnostic exams three times a year – fall, winter and spring – to help parents and students track reading progress. With emphasis on K-2 instruction, teachers will receive training support and educational assistants will be added to classrooms to reduce student-to-teacher ratios – vital for academic success. Antonio Burt, “We feel our SCS chief academic policy allows us officer to have a holistic view around where kids are,” said Antonio Burt, SCS chief academic officer. “More importantly, it makes sure parents are fully informed of where they are at a particular time of year and what they need to improve their performance. ... “Reading preparation and instruction not only takes place at school, but has to continue to take place away from school as well.” To keep parents engaged, SCS provides monthly virtual family forums and will schedule community meetings throughout the city starting in April or May. SCS officials will coach parents on policies guiding student promotion and retention, and provide informa-

SEE SCS ON PAGE 2