Members of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board (Photos by Memphis-Shelby County Schools)¶
When members of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board controversially voted in January to fire former Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins after less than a year on the job, they created more than just a lawsuit. That decision may very well lead to a new state law that could impact school boards across the state.¶
House Education Chair Mark White, R-Memphis, first brought up the possibility before Feagin’s termination, telling the Tennessee Firefly in January that he was pursuing legislation to create state intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools.¶
- 30 percent or more of the schools managed by the district receive a “D” or “F” School Letter Grade.
- The district is in the bottom 5 percent of district performance statewide.
- 25 percent of the district’s students are chronically absent.
- The legislative body for the county where the school district is located in approves a resolution expressing no confidence in the school board, as Shelby County Commissioners did following Feagins’ termination.
