Student transition team presents recommendations to Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Dr. Marie Feagins (hugging a child in the center) and members of the Legacy Builders (Photo by Memphis-Shelby County Schools)

New Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins has looked to a variety of voices for assistance as she charts a path for the state’s largest school district.On Tuesday she heard from the youngest advisors.

The 103-student transition team known as the “Legacy Builders” met at the Memphis Botanic Garden to present feedback for how the district can increase support, engagement, and academics.

“We were thrilled to see our student transition team, our “Legacy Builders,” they had their third and final meeting for now, they presented on problems of practices, and they presented several solutions in a pretty impressive way, some very concrete ways forward for us a to share with board commissioners, and ultimately think about as we shape and sharpen priorities and the way forward for the district,” said Feagins a the school board meeting later in the evening.

Feagins created the Legacy Builders with the goal of amplifying student voices and ensuring the district’s plans directly address the needs of students.Over the course of three meetings, students studied and discussed district problems and solutions for issues such as enrollment and absenteeism. Tuesday students offered their assessments and action plans for challenges with infrastructure upgrades, staffing, and food options.

“If we can improve our student and teacher relationships inside the classroom, it’ll make the students feel more engaged, more ready to learn a lesson, and feel like they are in a safe and healthy environment,” said Bolton High School student Genesis Lesperance.

“This right here is setting a new ground for MSCS, it’s setting a new day and age for everybody, for classes – for class of 2024 – but all the classes that will come behind us. I know I’m a senior, so I won’t be able to really experience it, but I’ll get to see it afterwards and see all the other students get to be a part of this great district coming up,” said co-chair and East High School senior, Myles Gregory.