House Speaker says Tennessee may audit Memphis-Shelby County Schools for fraud in addition other state intervention
Speaker Cameron Sexton (Photo by the Tennessee General Assembly)
When lawmakers gaveled in the 114th General Assembly in January, one of the most talked about bills that had yet to be filed was legislation to provide some type of state intervention in Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Representative Mark White, R-Memphis, was one of the leading voices calling for intervention following the chaotic removal of Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins after less than a year on the job. White also cited the district’s low math and reading proficiency as additional reasons for state intervention.
More than a month later, the details of the possible forthcoming legislation have yet to be revealed, but Thursday, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, provided an update at his weekly press conference.
Sexton said leaders in the House and Senate are still working out the details of legislation, but one thing that will be proposed is a forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools to look for fraud abuse and waste
“There has been lots of speculation over the decades concerning fraud, waste and abuse of resources within the Memphis-Shelby County School system. As we continue to look at various paths to take control of the system, the state will have a forensic audit conducted of the financial books which is not limited to only the budget. It will include items like contracts, grants, and appropriations in all aspects of the school system,” said Sexton.
The district’s own independent audit of the 2022/2023 school year released last year produced no findings indicating financial weaknesses or issues of non-compliance on financial statements.
Organization formed to fight intervention
Lawmakers haven’t been the only ones planning ahead for potential state intervention. Last month a new organization known as Save Our Students 901 held a press conference in Memphis to announce its intentions to oppose the proposal.
Bishop Ed Stephens (far right) and other supporters of Save Our Students 901 at last month’s press conference (Photo by Save Our Students 901)
The organization describes itself as a local coalition of Memphis business, education, nonprofit, and faith leaders “standing together against state intrusion.”
Golden Gate Cathedral of Memphis Bishop Ed Stephens was among the speakers at the press conference. He said state takeovers of school districts elsewhere have disrupted learning and failed to close achievement gaps.
“We are at a pivotal moment in our history faced by a proposed state takeover of our local school district. This is not just a policy decision it’s a direct assault on our community’s value, our voices and the very future of our children. Let’s be clear, this takeover mirrors for us a troubling trend sweeping across the United States of America,” said Stephens. “We must ask ourselves who benefits from this power grab. It certainly is not our students.”
The General Assembly’s deadline to file new legislation has passed so any effort to pass intervention in MSCS would need to be filed as an amendment to existing legislation.
