Memphis-Shelby County Superintendent Feagins says she ‘will not resign’

MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins speaks at a recent district event (File photo)

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins said in a Monday statement that she “will not resign” amid recent efforts to oust her over allegations of professional misconduct. 

According to a December resolution put forth by MSCS Board of Education Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman, Feagins has been accused by board members of accepting donations without board approval, mismanaging district funds, and misleading the public about overtime wages in the district. In addition, Feagins has been accused of failing to communicate important decisions with the board, such as a personnel plan earlier this year that aimed to cut and restructure over 1,000 positions. 

Feagins said in her formal response that she was “deeply disturbed by certain Board Members’ unwarranted attacks” on her integrity, adding that she believes the resolution calling for her removal showed “insulting indifference” toward her “extensive experience as an award-winning teacher, professional school counselor, assistant principal, principal, head coach, and central office administrator.”  

“Despite the falsehoods and defamatory public remarks intended to damage my character and diminish public trust in me, I have upheld the highest standards of professionalism. This includes navigating attempts by current and former Board members to remove me and create an intimidating work environment—actions of which you have been aware for months—while also tactfully addressing this resulting national embarrassment brought on our city and district,” she wrote in the statement, emailed to Dorse-Coleman. 

“To directly speak to the meritless claims, I have never, under any circumstances, intentionally or unintentionally misled a Board member or the Board as a whole. Furthermore, I have not mismanaged District funds.”

Feagins said she also took issue with a previous email from Dorse-Coleman that warned her against retaliation in response to the resolution. 

“In your email, you admonished me stating, ‘any attempts to intimidate any employee of Memphis Shelby County Schools will not be tolerated. I strongly advise against any behavior that could be perceived as retaliatory.’ Although it is contradictory that I am the subject of a potential termination due to the mistakes and decisions made by staff members, the implication that I would engage in such behavior is unfounded and contrary to my professional record. I have not intimidated or retaliated against any employee of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, or any person for that matter, nor will I tolerate retaliation or be intimidated,” she said. 

The embattled superintendent said she’s “proud and privileged to serve the Memphis-Shelby County Schools community,” adding that she remains “committed to finishing the job” she was hired to do in the spring when she was selected for the role.

“I urge reconsideration of this personally driven grievance and politically motivated action, as it does not serve the best interests of our District, children, or the broader community,” she wrote. 

The board is set to vote on whether to terminate Feagins’ contract on Jan. 14.