Memphis-Shelby County school board postpones vote to oust Superintendent Feagins again amid pushback

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins issued a lengthy statement in response to allegations of professional misconduct at Tuesday’s board meeting (Screenshot)

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins issued another defiant response to allegations of professional misconduct and recent efforts to fire her Tuesday, when school board members were expected to vote on whether to terminate her contract after less than a year leading the district.

While the board ultimately decided to postpone the vote once again, Feagins addressed several allegations against her, such as those included in a December resolution put forth by MSCS Board of Education Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman. The resolution accused Feagins of accepting donations without board approval, mismanaging district funds, and misleading the public about overtime wages. Feagins has also been accused by the board of failing to communicate important decisions, such as a personnel plan earlier this year that aimed to cut and restructure over 1,000 positions, among other criticisms.

Feagins, who was greeted by applause from attendees at Tuesday’s meeting, reiterated her commitment to leading the district. She also noted that the public has been largely supportive of her leadership, according to a recent survey.

“I have learned a difficult truth over the past few months.  Facts, transparency, and even integrity hold little weight and are overshadowed by noise. That truth came into sharp focus on Dec. 17, 2024, when Board Chair Coleman called the city together to terminate my contract. I sat through hours of agonizing disrespect and defamatory attacks that cut deeply as a leader who worked tirelessly to rise in the ranks and as a Black woman who knows all too well what it feels like to have your competence questioned, your intentions distorted, and your dignity dismissed,” she said in her statement during Tuesday’s board meeting.

In addition to debunking allegations relating to mismanagement, Feagins noted that she believed criticisms about her communication style were unfounded. She said she recently spent 61 hours on phone calls alone with board members and exchanged 700 text messages and 250 emails with district leaders. She said her office also issued 21 weekly newsletters and held more than 40 “in-person huddles.”

She added that all of this took place in just six months.

“Every email, every meeting, every message was an effort to collaborate, build trust, and keep this district moving forward. And yet, the truth was drowned out by false narratives designed to divide us,” Feagins said. “The most painful allegations weren’t about emails or meetings, they were about my character. My integrity. My humanity.”

Board member Amber Huett-Garcia also officially introduced a resolution to keep the superintendent to allow her more time to do her job and repair relationships with board members. She said she plans to have her resolution amended as a substitute to the resolution to remove Feagins at next week’s board meeting.

“I think the cost of cutting leadership that hasn’t had an opportunity to perform to show what you can do is going to be much greater,” she said.

Board member Natalie McKinney said that while Feagins has made “notable efforts” during her tenure in areas such as teacher engagement, she still believes Feagins’ leadership demonstrates “deficits that hinder the district’s overall success.” She cited a “pattern of mismanagement” and “lack of transparency” among her key concerns.

“Dr. Feagins has made notable efforts during her tenure, such as Project Build, Community Huddles, Teacher Engagement and the introduction of the ‘Legacy of Legends’ program. While initiatives demonstrate her willingness to engage with stakeholders and address specific needs, multiple things can be true at the same time,” she said in her statement.

Tuesday’s school board meeting came just after Shelby County Commissioners voted Monday in favor of a no-confidence resolution against the school board over the effort to oust Feagins. It also comes after several community members, state leaders, and educators have come to her defense to denounce those efforts.

Among those who have spoken in support of Feagins is Representative Mark White, R-Memphis, who cosponsored legislation that would allow the recall of school board members.

The board is expected to decide whether to fire Feagins at next week’s board meeting.