Memphis Leaders Announce Plan to Avoid State Intervention
U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen (center) speaking at Friday’s event (Photo by Cohen)
Members of the Memphis-Shelby County School board and other elected officials, including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen, D-TN, held a press conference on Friday morning to announce a plan they hope will head off state intervention.
Board Chair Natalie McKinney told spectators that leaders began working on the Local Accountability and Transformation Plan more than a year ago. Once approved by the school board, it will prioritize strong governance and accountability, better academic outcomes for students, stable and transparent district operations, and a long-term plan for improving school facilities.
“This plan offers a local solution for strengthening our schools while keeping leadership and decision-making here in Memphis and Shelby County. Our board believes real improvement in public education comes from local accountability, strong leadership, and strong community partnerships,” said McKinney.
What’s in the Plan
The plan includes key benchmarks for academic, fiscal, and operational improvements, along with a commitment to make improvements following an ongoing Comptroller audit, and the creation of a new Intergovernmental Transformation Council.
This council would serve as an advisory committee to the district under a 3-year charter. Its members would include at least two from the school board, the Shelby County Commission, and the Memphis City Council, as well as representatives from the city and county mayors’ offices, along with teachers appointed by both unions, parents, students, business leaders, and the Tennessee Department of Education.
“When it comes to our children, our community will lead, collaborate, and move forward together,” said Board Member Sable Otey, who will be sponsoring the resolution that creates the plan. “By adopting this plan, our district accountability blueprint, we are making a clear commitment to measurable progress, transparent reporting, real results for the students and families that we serve.”
State Intervention Remains on the Table
It remains to be seen if the proposal gives state lawmakers pause on enacting legislation to provide state intervention in the district.
State Senator Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, and State Representative Mark White, R-Memphis, filed legislation last year to create intervention following criticism of academic underperformance in the district and the board’s decision to fire former Superintendent Marie Feagins after less than a year on the job. The two lawmakers were unable to reconcile their respective plans and opted to put them on hold until January, when White and Taylor announced an agreement to move forward with a proposal to create a state-appointed board of managers for the district.
This 9-member board would provide oversight to the district, and largely render the existing school board to an advisory role.
"Families in Memphis and Shelby County deserve a school system that works and prepares them for a strong future," said White in a January press release. "Our community has a responsibility to ensure children receive the highest quality education possible. This vital legislation will help make MSCS – Tennessee's largest school district – a model for the state and nation by boosting transparency and addressing the fundamental issues negatively impacting student success."
As of Friday, the legislation has not yet been calendared for a vote.
