Fairley High School’s fight to remain a public charter school in Memphis is receiving a boost from the more than 200 people who submitted comments in support of the school to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.
The school’s future has been uncertain since the Memphis-Shelby County School Board voted down its request in July to transfer into the school district.
Fairley High School was once a traditional public school. However, a decade ago the state moved it to the state school system intervention for low-achieving schools known as the Achievement School District (ASD). Fairley is currently in the last year of a ten-year contract with the ASD and its leadership with Green Dot Public Schools hoped a transition to Memphis-Shelby County Schools would allow the school to continue as public charter school.
Under state law, Green Dot had the option of appealing to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission to overturn the district denial. Green Dot did just that and as part of the process, the commission is considering comments submitted by the public online and at a recent hearing.
Students, alumni, and teachers all wrote in to express how Green Dot’s work to help students succeed and foster a renewed pride is crucial to the community.
“I am a Government and Economics teacher at Fairley High School. I am writing this in full support of Fairley High School. Since I have been at this school, I see the immense need for this school to have the full support of the Commission. The students have built long-lasting relationships with the staff and the culture is undeniably changed. There is a sense of pride and accomplishment whether big or small. Staff make learning the top priority each and every day. Thank you for time and consideration,” wrote Fairley teacher Casonya Holland.
Tennessee Green Dot Board Chair and native Memphian Amertice Allen also called Fairley a key part of Whitehaven and said students told her they felt cared for there.
“Fairley High has been a cornerstone in the Whitehaven community for over 50 years, so it speaks volumes to have students of this generation, Fairley High School Faculty, Fairley Alums, and committed community leaders to continue to build on this pride and take Fairley High into the future. I know Green Dot can continue to have a positive impact, make great strides in educating our students, and get students prepared for college from the Whitehaven and Westwood communities that are served by Fairley High School,” said Allen.
The commission is also hearing from existing Fairley students and alumni who believe the school is providing a needed positive environment.
“All the schools in my district are really bad so even though I’m not in my area code I get to enjoy my school around positive people,” wrote student Zamireua Booker.
“I know how impactful Green Dot has been with supporting and operating Fairley in the Whitehaven community. The students wouldn’t have an opportunity to attend a school in their neighborhood and enjoy the history their parents and siblings had attending Fairley High. The stats show the increased graduation rates and the Positive vibe with the students and families there at Fairley. Students are discussing and planning to attend college since attending there,” wrote alumnus Wilfred Busby.
Despite the overwhelming number of comments in support of Fairley’s appeal, the commission is also hearing from those who don’t support it.
Former Kirby Middle School teacher David McIntyre agreed with the school board’s decision to deny Fairley because of allegations Green Dot concealed an operation violation.
“My colleagues at Kirby Middle School are some of the finest educators I have ever had the privilege to know. They are phenomenal teachers, working every day to enrich the lives of our children. And without diminishing their amazing work in any way, I believe the Green Dot Public Schools of Tennessee organization operates without regard for one of the most basic and fundamental pillars of democracy: that public business shall not be conducted in secret,” wrote McIntyre.
Cornerstone Prep Lester
Commissioners are also receiving supporting emails from another ASD school appeal from Memphis.
Memphis-Shelby County School Board members voted Cornerstone Prep’s application to transfer to the district down during the same meeting as Fairley’s denial.
Every single public comment submitted to the commission for Cornerstone Prep Lester argued the district denial was not in the best interest of the students and community. Supporters say the public charter school has continuously helped students in Memphis’ Binghampton community improve and grow.
“Cornerstone Prep-Lester is an exceptional school who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence. Their dedication to learning is evident in their impressive achievements. They possess a genuine curiosity that drives them to explore complex subjects and seek innovative solutions to challenges to help students perform. I have no doubt that the school will thrive in the Commission’s rigorous academic environment,” wrote community member Keosha Lipsey.
Capstone Education Group board chair Scott Walker also emphasized the work the school has done to increase academic growth.
“I am blessed to see firsthand the incredible work the staff and volunteers accomplish in the lives of the students and families of Cornerstone Prep. While we always strive to do better, our results are exemplary among our peers. I firmly believe the students of Cornerstone Prep are best served by the existing school and staff. The families and the neighborhood are overwhelmingly supportive of Cornerstone Prep and desire their school to continue serving their students,” wrote Walker.
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission is expected to decide Fairley High School and Cornerstone Prep Lester’s appeals next month.
A decision in support would allow the schools to continue operating as a public charter school while a denial could mean closure or a merger into the district’s IZone turnaround school model.
