The lengthy search for a new leader of the state’s largest school district is down to three finalists.
Tuesday night members of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board named three out of state educational leaders to move onto the next phase of the superintendent search process.
Those finalists include:
- Chief Academic Officer of Atlanta Public Schools Yolanda C. Brown
- Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities for Portland Public Schools Cheryl Proctor
- Chief of Leadership and High School for Detroit Public Schools Marie Feagins
The search process will resume next month with additional interviews. The board aims to select a new candidate by spring and have that superintendent start by July 1.
In making this decision, board members evaluated each candidate through a pre-determined scoring system and took community input into account. That process narrowed the candidates down from five semi-finalists board members publicly interviewed last Friday to the three finalists.
“We are so excited that we have gotten to this point – it has not been an easy process – but nevertheless, we’re here. To my colleagues, I appreciate each and every one of you for your hard work, your commitment. To our community, this is just the beginning. We started on this and we’re going to see it all the way through. My colleagues are committed to continuing the fight, continuing to get the best person we can to lead our district,” said Vice Chair and co-chair of the search Joyce Dorce-Coleman.
Community members who attended Tuesday’s meeting told board members Friday’s candidate interview sessions gave them hope for a search that hasn’t always gone smoothly and was even put on hold for a time earlier this year.
The search process has faced allegations of a lack of transparency and complaints that the board needs to be more accountable. Memphis LIFT member Charles Lampkin told board members those concerns have been addressed.
“Thank you for your transparency. Transparency remains a critical element. Thank you for last Friday. It was refreshing that you were committed, and you stayed committed to your word. You involved the community, stakeholders, whoever wanted to show up and be involved in the first round of the process. Please, please, please: remain diligent and committed on this second round,” said Lampkin.
Advocate Rachael Spriggs also told the board that she hopes they’ll do right by the students and pick the best candidate.
“There will be no hijacking of this search. The watchers are watching and want to see the children in this district get the leader than is more than charisma but has proven that they are capable of moving the needle. I want to trust that you all will do right by our students,” said advocate Rachael Spriggs.
Board members assured residents the next phase of the search process will include community engagement.
“We’re not on the other side of the community. We are a part of the community as well and so this is something that’s critical and I’m really proud of the work and very happy with the results we have today,” said board member Michelle McKissack.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been searching for a new superintendent since the resignation of Joris Ray following investigations of policy violations and abuse of power in 2022.
