The call for state intervention in Memphis-Shelby County Schools is gaining traction in light of the school board’s recent decision to let go of its director, who had only served for eight months.
Proposed Legislation for State Oversight
State Representative Mark White, who heads the House Education Committee, is set to propose new legislation.
This would allow the Department of Education to form a management group to oversee the district, effectively sidelining the local school board.
Following the dismissal of Marie Feagins—a move White links to ongoing problems with student performance—he believes it’s time for the state to step in decisively.
Representing East Memphis, White is clear about his dissatisfaction with the educational outcomes in the district.
He sees an opportunity for significant improvements that the local leadership has not achieved.
Local Leaders and Community Response
The proposed legislation, which will not be introduced during the ongoing special session that is dealing with private-school vouchers, envisions a management body that would take precedence over the local board for at least two years.
This plan aims to resolve the district’s issues while still allowing current school board members to keep their elected roles, albeit in an advisory capacity.
White has assured the community that he is working to ensure the proposal aligns with legal standards.
In stark contrast, several Memphis senators have voiced their disapproval.
Senator Raumesh Akbari, the Senate Minority Leader, criticized the initiative as a violation of democratic principles.
She advocates for working together to tackle funding gaps and improve investment in schools, rather than taking punitive actions against local leaders.
Similarly, Senator London Lamar, who leads the Senate Democratic Caucus, warned that this potential state takeover constitutes a serious overreach that jeopardizes local self-governance.
Meanwhile, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is actively engaging with state lawmakers, urging them to rethink the proposed takeover.
He advocates for a focus on the welfare of students instead of fostering disputes among adults, calling for solution-oriented discussions rather than punitive strategies.
Challenges and a Call for Change
Reflecting on past efforts, White noted the dissolution of the Achievement School District.
While this initiative was initially successful in helping some underperforming schools, he highlighted the pressing need for visible improvements in the communities involved.
Feagins’ exit was based on allegations of financial mismanagement and behavior perceived as detrimental to the district’s progress.
Source: The74million