The 901: What Memphis-Shelby County Schools records show in Joris Ray allegations

Good morning, Memphis, where the Shelby County Health Department reported its first case of monkeypox within our community — adding to more than 2,000 cases in the United States.

But, first, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray supervised a woman when she is said to have signed a non-disclosure agreement about their affair, our Laura Testino reports. 

The woman is currently a school principal, a position she's held since summer 2019. Ray has indirect supervision over school principals.

Records show the woman was a subordinate to Ray in 2004 — when the NDA was signed. The records are the first indication that Ray had a role in impacting the career of one of the women he is alleged to have had an affair with.

Read Laura’s story to get the latest updates regarding Ray and MSCS’ response to the allegations.

First case of Monkeypox reported in Shelby County

The Shelby County Health Department confirmed the first reported monkeypox case in Shelby County — a rare disease in the same family of viruses as smallpox, our Gina Butkovich reports.

SCHD said it is working with the patient and the patient’s health care provider to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patient while they were infectious.

The department advised the public to be alert for any new rashes with "sores, bumps or fluid-filled bumps" and to seek medical evaluation from a primary care doctor or health care provider if symptoms occur.

Why Graceland did not pay its bonds and Tennessee lawmakers’ response

With a decrease of visitors at Graceland in 2020 and 2021, the tourist destination stopped paying some of its debts — five series of municipal bonds that were issued by the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County, our Samuel Hardiman reports. 

The bonds were to be paid from taxes generated by a Tourism Development Zone and tax-increment financing district at Graceland.

Throughout 2021 and continuing into this year, payments haven't been made for several series of its bonds and others have been paid from bond reserve funds.

The iconic tourist venue's nonpayment on municipal bonds that helped pay for its expansion sparked a quiet law change in the Tennessee General Assembly this year that is intended to avoid future nonpayment.

Collierville OKs Hinton Preserve for 84-home development

Collierville will see 84 new single-family homes built along Fleming Road as part of Hinton Preserve Planned Development, our Dima Amro reports. 

The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the project after the board in May deferred the public hearing and rezoning vote for layout revisions including front yard setbacks and buffers.

Town Development Director Jay Cravens presented to the board the updates to maintain the "rural character" or the property. Those changes included minimum lot sizes of 13,400 square feet, 6.64 acres of common open space and fewer homes along the front of the property.

Memphis gives Ryan Silverfield an extra year on contract

Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield had an additional year placed on his contract during the Tigers' 2020 season due to the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our Evan Barnes reports.

The extra year, which was not previously announced by school officials, was included in an updated employment agreement signed on Nov. 22, 2020. This extended Silverfield's contract through Dec. 31, 2025, but did not change his buyout terms.

Silverfield is set to make $1.85 million before incentives this season, his third as coach at Memphis. His compensation would increase to $2 million by the 2025 season.

Who the Grizzlies could start after Jaren Jackson Jr. injury?

A few hours before NBA free agency opened, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss four to six months due to a right foot injury.

After the Grizzlies drafted first-round picks Jake LaRavia and David Roddy, both capable of playing power forward, the team hasn’t addressed the position through free agency, our Damichael Cole reports.

As the Grizzlies begin the next season without Jackson, Damichael provides us with players who could possibly start at power forward during the injured player’s absence.

The 901 is written by Ray Padilla, digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.comor on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_. 

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: MSCS Joris Ray updates, Shelby County reports first monkeypox case