Memphis Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Plan to Enable State Intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools
State Representative Mark White (left) and State Senator Brent Taylor (right) (Photo by the Tennessee General Assembly)
State Senator Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, has agreed to move forward with State Representative Mark White’s, R-Memphis, plan to create a state-appointed oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Both lawmakers introduced and passed conflicting proposals to intervene in the school district last April, but the legislative session ended before a conference committee could iron out those differences.
White’s bill creates a 9-member board of managers, appointed by the governor and the speakers of the State House and State Senate, to provide oversight of the district. The superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the school board would largely be relegated to advisory roles and would not be able to make key decisions or approve a budget without the board’s sign-off.
Low Performance Cited
In a press release sent to the Tennessee Firefly, both lawmakers argued that state intervention is needed because of years of underperformance, including the most recently released School Letter Grades, where dozens of schools in the district received a D or F.
Lawmakers also referenced last year’s no-confidence vote against the Memphis-Shelby County School Board by the Shelby County Commission. That vote occurred in response to the board’s efforts to fire former Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins after less than a year on the job.
"Families in Memphis and Shelby County deserve a school system that works and prepares them for a strong future," said White. "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."
Senator Taylor’s Proposal Set Aside
Senator Taylor’s version of the intervention legislation would not have created an oversight board like White’s bill.
Instead, it would have allowed the Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner to recommend the removal of a director of schools and some or all school board members, in so-called “challenged school districts,” who would then be replaced by the county commission. Additionally, Taylor’s version would have expanded the Education Savings Account (ESA) program in challenged districts by removing any income cap.
Both the State Senate and House will need to make a motion to send White’s version of the legislation to a conference committee for approval. Taylor indicated in the news release that he now supports such a move.
“Memphis parents are tired of excuses, and taxpayers are tired of writing blank checks to a system that keeps failing our kids,” said Taylor. “When dozens of schools are earning D’s and F’s and nearly $2 billion is being spent, it’s clear the status quo isn’t working. This oversight board will Make Memphis Matter by bringing necessary accountability and transparency because Shelby County students deserve better than business as usual.”
Opposition from Democrats
Democrats in the Tennessee General Assembly largely opposed both plans for state intervention last year, including those who reside in Memphis.
During debate on the House floor last April, Representative Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, called the bill a harmful move to seize local control.
“This is taking away the control that we have had over our school system. And that’s wrong, that is unjust, and that is going to hurt students who I see, who I meet, who I work with every single day,” said Pearson.
