Shelby County Commissioners pass ‘no-confidence’ resolution against Memphis-Shelby County School Board amid efforts to fire Superintendent Feagins

Shelby County Commissioners Brandon Morrison, left, and Henri Brooks discuss a no-confidence resolution against Memphis-Shelby County school board members at Monday’s commission meeting. (Screenshot)

Shelby County Commissioners voted Monday in favor of a no-confidence resolution against the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board of Education over school board members’ recent efforts to fire Superintendent Marie Feagins.

According to commissioners, the resolution stems from hundreds of complaints from community members about a December resolution put forth by MSCS Board of Education Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman, accusing Feagins of accepting donations without board approval, mismanaging district funds, and misleading the public about overtime wages in the district. Feagins has also 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.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman called the commission’s vote “unfortunate.”

“Like any legislative body, we have a better understanding of what is happening with the leadership of the District that we have a responsibility to govern. That being said, we are committed to doing what is in the best interest of the children, families and employees that we serve,” she said in a Monday statement responding to the commission’s resolution.

“We are duly elected like each of the Commissioners who voted tonight. I hope they understand the gravity of their vote and the impact it may have on the school system. Thank you to Commissioners [Shante] Avant, [Henri] Brooks, [Miska] Clay Bibbs and [Charlie] Caswell for voting against the resolution,” she continued. “Tonight’s vote highlights the need for enhanced transparency, communication and collaboration between the MSCS Board, District leadership and the broader community. I look forward to continuing dialogue with the Commission as we make critical decisions on the future of the District."

Commissioner Henri Brooks said she objected to the no-confidence resolution due to concerns that the state could try to “take over” the school board moving forward. She called the move a “political power play.”

However, Commissioner Brandon Morrison said she agreed with a recent statement from Feagins calling the allegations in the school board’s resolution “meritless.” She said the allegations were “defamatory,” adding that the resolution was “truly a national embarrassment.”

“It would be an enormous expense to terminate a well-meaning superintendent who is working for our children and trying to reduce truancy, trying to reduce absenteeism, and do the best for our kids,” she said.

Following a lengthy discussion about how to amend the resolution, commissioners included an amendment put forth by Chairman Michael Whaley demanding a comprehensive governance plan from the school board by April. In addition, Shelby County commissioners rejected a 90-day freeze on $33 million for a new high school in Frayser amid the division.

The Memphis-Shelby County school board is expected to vote on whether to fire Feagins Tuesday.