Home Care In Collierville, TN

Dyer has been director of Cleveland (TN.) City Schools since 2016.

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Collierville Schools Board of Education on Thursday announced it selected the longtime director of Cleveland City Schools in Tennessee as its next district leader.

In a unanimous decision, the board chose Russell Dyer, 49, as Collierville Schools' new superintendent and approved making an offer to him. Mike Marshall, the board's attorney, will negotiate an employment contract with Dyer, who did not attend the Special Called Business Meeting.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by the decision of the Collierville Schools Board of Education to appoint me as the next superintendent," Dyer said in a news release. "I extend my sincere thanks to each member for their confidence in my ability to lead and serve the students, staff, and the entire Collierville school community. I am eager to work collaboratively with the Collierville Schools Board of Education, as well as the dedicated educators, staff, students, parents, and community partners to continue to foster a positive work and learning environment.

Dyer has been the director of Cleveland City Schools since July 2016. He led the district to an aviation partnership with Tango Flight, which is known as a turn key, innovative educational program that encompasses concepts of aerospace, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and design engineering, with an emphasis on aviation. The curriculum provides hands-on training applying classroom knowledge to build an actual FAA certified RV-12iS airplane. Cleveland City Schools is only one of two programs in the state providing that opportunity for students.

He is no stranger to the Collierville Schools District and Shelby County Schools. Before coming to Cleveland, Dyer served a little more than two years as the chief of staff for Collierville Schools. Dyer was also the principal at Collierville High School as well as Bon Lin Middle School in Bartlett. He also served as a middle school teacher, assistant principal, and human resource specialist all in Shelby County Schools.

Dyer beat out the following finalists: Jeff Jones, assistant superintendent of Collierville Schools; Tyler Salyer, West Collierville Middle principal; Roger Jones, Collierville High principal; and Leigh Anne Rainey, chief academic officer. On Dec. 15, the board conducted interviews with the superintendent candidates. Wright Cox, chairman of the Collierville School Board, said Dyer was chosen among a slew of highly-qualified candidates.

"He brings a wealth of experience, and is a consummate professional," Cox said. "He has done a wonderful job at Cleveland City Schools and we believe he will do the same thing here. "He had an interest in coming back here and we feel he will propel us into the future."

Dyer will replace Gary Lilly, who had notified the Collierville School Board, of his plans to step down Dec. 31. On Jan. 1, 2024, Lilly will tart as the executive director of the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents. Lilly was selected as the superintendent of Collierville Schools in May 2019. He replaced John Aitken and was the district's second superintendent since it became a municipal district. Prior to service in Collierville Schools, Lilly served as superintendent of Bristol City Schools in Tennessee for 10 years.

During his tenure, he guided Collierville Schools through the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw the creation of its 10^th school ? Collierville Virtual Academy ? and spearheaded the development and adoption of its five-year strategic plan. He also expanded high school career and technical education pathways, adding aviation flight, mechatronics, and aviation mechanics. Collierville Schools was also one of only 16 school districts statewide designated this past year as exemplary by the Tennessee Department of Education.

"I feel blessed to have had an opportunity to lead Collierville Schools," Lilly said. "It's an amazing community and exemplary school district. I'm so thankful for the hard work of our dedicated educators and the support board of education and the community. It really is a fantastic place to live and for students to learn. I'm excited about my upcoming role. I am looking forward to new the challenge and continuing my work with all the districts in the future."

Lilly said his new role will begin when the state General Assembly reconvene on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

"I know, I will have my work cut out for me, but look forward to working with legislatures and schools leader to try to serve as a liaison between those groups and hopefully influencing legislation that will positively impact public schools," he said.

Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] or 901-293-1610.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Chipotle opened in late June and Jersey Mike's remains under construction.

Collierville will welcome a variety of new businesses in 2024, from restaurants to retail to a craft brewery.

Here are seven businesses under construction in the Memphis suburb that anticipate opening in 2024, according to John Duncan, director of economic development for the Town of Collierville. Unless otherwise noted, exact opening dates have not been set for the businesses.

Jersey Mike’s

Jersey Mike’s restaurant remains under construction at 1088 W. Poplar Ave. Subdivision Lot 2. The Commercial Appeal reported in April 2022 the site plan showed a Chipotle in a 2,325-square-foot space and Jersey Mike's in 1,400 square feet of the same building. The combined site will have 40 parking spaces and a total of 96 seats — 65 seats inside and 31 seats outside. The Chipotle opened in late June at 1090 W. Poplar Ave.

PetSmart

A Phoenix-based pet store chain offering pet products, pet food and accessories plans to open in the Memphis suburb. A new PetSmart store is under construction and will occupy 18,096 square feet of space on a 2.3-acre vacant lot in the Collierville Marketplace at 1016 W. Poplar Ave. PetSmart has other Memphis-area stores at 7941 Winchester Road, 2805 Wolfcreek Parkway and 5883 Poplar Ave.

pOpshelf

A Dollar General concept is also headed to the Collierville Marketplace. A new pOpshelf is planned to go into a 10,929-square-foot space at 277 Market Blvd. pOpshelf is branded to appeal to wealthier and more suburban customers, offering home décor, beauty products, toys, electronics and other items. pOpshelf has other Memphis-area locations at 7746 Polo Grounds Blvd., 2725 N. Germantown Parkway and 8699 U.S. 51 North, Unit 125 in Millington.

Maroon Brew Co.

A Collierville resident has plans to open a new brewpub at the former C-Town Meat and Seafood shop. Brewer Maggie Emerson looks to open Maroon Brew Co. in the spring at 642 W. Poplar Ave. The Collierville Beer Board approved the craft brewery in October. Maroon Brew Co. will offer IPAs, pale, golden and amber ales. The brewery also plans to have other selections including sours, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic drinks. According to the Shelby County Chamber Alliance, Collierville’s beer regulations mandate at least 50% of revenue from food. Maroon Brew Co. plans to serve gourmet hot dogs and various appetizers.

COLLIERVILLE NEWS:This Memphis suburb topped Southern Living's 10 Best Christmas Towns in Tennessee list

Sports bar and live music venue at Carriage Crossing

A new sports bar and live music venue is set to open in The Shops at Carriage Crossing in Collierville in early summer. Wolf River Hospitality Group — the parent company of Pyro's Fire Fresh Pizza, Wolf River Brisket Co., Abner’s Famous Chicken, Levee Coffee & Creamery and Limelight — is behind the new restaurant and entertainment concept. The high-end gastropub, located in the former Hickory Tavern space, will offer a full-service restaurant and bar. It will also include several high-definition TVs and a stage for live music. This will be Wolf River Hospitality Group’s fourth concept in Collierville. More details about the yet-to-be-named dining concept will be shared closer to the opening date.

Mugshots Grill & Bar

Hattiesburg, Mississippi-based restaurant chain Mugshots Grill & Bar plans to open a new Collierville location in the first quarter of 2024. Tray Gamble and Jim Hicks are the franchisee owners of the Collierville location at 656 W. Poplar Ave. It will be housed in the former O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar and will occupy 7,300 square feet.

COLLIERVILLE DEVELOPMENT:Collierville set to see more housing and retail as projects advance. Here's what's planned

The Collierville restaurant will be the first Mugshots Grill & Bar in Tennessee and is the franchisees' sixth location. The family-friendly restaurant chain is known for its 25 different burger selections, including its signature “The Mugshot” burger. Mugshots Grill & Bar also features other choices such as sandwiches, salads, and pastas. The sports bar locations also include more than 50 TVs around their restaurants for patrons.

Crumbl Cookies

Crumbl Cookies is expected to soon open next door to Rotolo’s Craft & Crust in the Schilling Farms Water Tower District, according to Duncan. The Utah-based chain is known for its from-scratch, freshly baked over-the-top cookies. The popular cookie company has three Memphis-area locations on South Mendenhall Road in East Memphis, Olive Branch and in the Saddle Creek shopping center in Germantown.

Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] or 901-293-1610.

Collierville’s town and school officials joined together Tuesday to voice their opposition to Gov. Bill Lee's plan to expand school vouchers statewide.

During a joint meeting between the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Collierville School Board of Education, the two boards voted to approve a resolution opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship Act. Alderman Missy Marshall was the only board member from either side to abstain from voting.

The two boards were among the first across the state to do the joint resolution in opposition of the act, according to Tammy Grissom, executive director of the Tennessee School Boards Association.

Wright Cox, chairman of the Collierville School Board of Education, read a joint statement in which the two boards expressed their belief that the Education Freedom Scholarship Act or similar voucher initiatives divert public funds away from public schools.

"With us coming together like this, I don't take this lightly and there are communities that don't have the relationship with their town that we've enjoyed," Wright said. "We very much appreciate the partnership we hold with the town and town board. You all have been wonderful to us, and we're in this together."

This Collierville joint meeting comes on the heels of Lee advocating for the expansion of school vouchers. Lee proposed his Education Freedom Scholarship Act in late November at the Tennessee State Museum. The initiative would allow parents in Tennessee the ability to choose the school for their child. No bill has been formally filed in the legislature yet.

The new statewide school choice program would provide 20,000 students up to $7,075 each to attend private or home schools, with a plan to expand to universal eligibility in 2025. Details from the plan show half of the 20,000 slots funded by the bill would go to students whose families’ income are below 300% of the federal poverty level, students with disabilities, and those who meet eligibility requirements for the existing Education Savings Account pilot program during the first year. The remaining 10,000 will be made available to any student currently entitled to a public school.

Eligibility for the program would be open to all students in Tennessee starting in the 2025-26 school year, no matter income or previous school enrollment. If demand surpasses available funding, previously enrolled program participants, low-income students and students enrolled in public schools would be prioritized.

EDUCATION NEWS:'Taking it to an extreme:' local school leaders talk Gov. Lee's voucher expansion plans

Gary Lilly, superintendent of Collierville Schools, said vouchers can have a negative impact on a school district as well as the town.

"As you all know, many people come to Collierville for the school system," Lilly said. "It's important that we continue offering the same high level educational opportunities that we do today."

Lilly noted that Arizona last year passed a similar voucher program that Lee has proposed. He cited that the program was implemented in 2023 and from what he has learned has not gone well for that state.

"From what I understand is costing the state exponentially more than they had projected, so hopefully, that is a cautionary tale for our legislators to consider," Lilly said. "The reality is when we lose students to vouchers, we're not going to lose a class at a time. We're going to lose some here and some there in every class across the schools. What that means is that we're not going to need fewer teachers and support personnel and utilities. We're going to need all of those things at the same level, we currently need them, but we'll have fewer funds to pay the teachers, the support personnel and the utilities. We will have less resources to provide the academic and extracurricular programming that we currently offer.

"We need to inform legislators and help them understand that public tax dollars need to stay with public schools."

Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner said it's important for the boards to keep tabs on what is happening with the proposed Education Freedom Scholarship Act when the General Assembly convenes.

"Obviously, the bill that they work on might not be the bill that get passed," Joyner said. "So, it might not be one time that we do this.... We got to stay on top of this and be aware of how the bill is endorsed and how it might change. We got to stay engaged."

Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] or 901-293-1610.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Once you turn onto West Tuscumbia Cove in Collierville you can hear Christmas music and see all the lights.

Some people told Action News Five Friday night was their first time going to see the lights. Others said taking a trip to see the lights is now a Christmas tradition.

Dozens of families drove nearby.

“We come every Christmas, and we love it,” said Kristi Collins, who said she has gone to see the lights for 6 years.

And others drove a little further.

“We came from Holly Springs, Mississippi,” said Zelma Allen.

Actavatis and Zelma Allen brought their grandkids to see the thousands of Christmas lights at homes on Tuscumbia Cove or the “Holiday Cove” as some have nicknamed it.

From Santa Claus to penguins and anything in the middle families can see it glowing from the top of the street.

“As soon as we hit the curb, we saw all the beautiful lights. We couldn’t hardly hear anything because our grandkids were yelling and screaming,” she said.

Some walked around and others drove by, but they all agreed the sparkling lights put them in the holiday spirit as Christmas approaches.

“But this brings it all to fruition. It’s just wonderful, it’s wonderful to see the families together. And see the children get excited,” said Collins.

One of the homes’ displays even had a special guest, the Grinch.

“I sat right by him, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to sit by the Grinch.

Some were excited to see the Grinch.

“I like the Grinch and I love the Grinch,” said one child.

But there were also some mixed feelings about the person in green.

“The Grinch is very mean... He took my presents,” said another child.

The light display is free to the public, but there is a donation box near the homes where people who stop by can donate. The proceeds will go towards the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.

Copyright 2023 WMC. All rights reserved.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. , Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aphorio Carter Fund Management Company, LLC ("Aphorio Carter"), the critical infrastructure and data center division of Carter Funds, announced today that it has acquired a fully leased enterprise data center property in Collierville, Tennessee, for approximately $13 Million.

The property is a corporate data processing facility situated on the 118-acre FedEx World Technology Center Campus in a suburb of the Memphis metropolitan area. Spanning 4.62 acres, the facility boasts over 86,000 square feet of space, including 41,000 square-foot raised floor area.

Built in 2001, the data center is 100% net leased to a globally recognized logistics powerhouse company.

"We are enthusiastic to incorporate this property into our portfolio, offering strategic opportunities as nationwide demand for data centers continues to grow. In the first half of 2023, CBRE reported that vacancy rates for North American data centers stayed exceptionally low, hovering around a historic record of 3.3%. AI technology and the digital landscape supported by data centers continues to evolve at a remarkable pace," said John Regan, chief investment officer of Aphorio Carter.

This acquisition marks Aphorio Carter's fifth critical infrastructure real estate investment within the last 16 months, aligning with the company's strategy to acquire mission-critical, technology-related real estate.

About Aphorio Carter

Aphorio Carter is a Carter Funds company investing in high-quality income-producing mission-critical infrastructure, data centers, switch sites, and high-growth technology-related real estate. Led by an experienced team that has acquired more than 125 data centers across the world, Aphorio Carter specializes in sourcing and managing accretive digital infrastructure real estate and implements systematic support services aimed at adding long-term value on behalf of the investment funds the company manages. Together, the principals of Aphorio Carter have a century of real estate and transaction experience in the digital infrastructure space totaling an excess of $5.3 billion in value. Aphorio Carter targets acquisitions that are net-leased to creditworthy tenants and include wholesale, enterprise, colocation, edge, switch, and cloud data center properties – the critical real estate that powers the digital age.

Media Contact:Stacy SheedyVice President, Marketing, Carter Funds[email protected]813-358-5982

SOURCE Aphorio Carter