Memphis Shelby County Schools officials introduced a plan to transform the district without a state takeover.
MSCS School Board chairwoman Natalie McKinney announced the Local Accountability and Transformation Plan during a press conference on Friday at the MSCS headquarters. She said this is a roadmap for accountability and improvement.
These announcement comes as state lawmakers consider a state takeover of MSCS. Interventions included a state-appointed board to monitor the MSCS school board and make other decisions.
“This plan offers a local solution for strengthening our schools while keeping leadership and decision-making in Memphis and Shelby County,” McKinney said. “Our board believes that real improvement in public education comes from local accountability, strong leadership, and strong community partnerships.
The district’s proposed plan focuses on strong governance and accountability, better academic outcomes for students, stable and transparent district operations, and a plan to improve school facilities.
The plan also suggests an intergovernmental transformation council composed of members from local government, parents, educators, students, and community partners. The council will review the district’s progress and increase public transparency.
“Our community is asking for stronger oversight, greater transparency, and better results for our students,” McKinney said. “This plan responds to that call, but improving a school system does not happen in isolation.”
McKinney said this is an extension of improvements made in the school system over the past year. She said they have strengthened their governance practices and brought stability to their local leadership.
“By adopting this plan, our district’s accountability blueprint, we are making a clear commitment to measurable progress, transparent reporting, [and] real results for the students and families we serve,” MSCS board member Sable Otey said.
Otey said the resolution represented the city’s commitment to transform the district without outside influence. The chairwoman urged policymakers and other decision-makers to consider the progress being made in the district, before “any discussion of structural intervention takes place.”
Representatives from Tennessee For All, The Equity Alliance, Memphis City Council, Shelby County Government, and more were present to show their support for MSCS and voice their opposition to a state takeover.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said failure to adopt the district’s proposal could result in a state takeover. He noted that Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), a proponent of a state takeover, had no experience in education or school governance and should not be making decisions on school authority or the direction of Memphis schools.
“Because of Taylor’s lack of qualifications to create a school board authority or make any decisions related to Memphis schools, a Taylor-influenced board would likely be viewed by the public or partner organizations and teachers and staff in Memphis as illegitimate,” Harris said.
Harris urged support of the district’s plan as it was crafted by those with MSCS experience.
A resolution will be introduced to the MSCS board to adopt the plan.