In this issue
- Defending Dr. Feagins
- Prioritizing public safety
- Who’s Wanda Howard?
Defending Dr. Feagins
Dr. Marie Feagins has filed a lawsuit against the Memphis Shelby County Schools Board of Education, challenging their vote to terminate her as superintendent. She says the board violated the Open Meetings Law, which would render their decision void.
There is strong evidence of such violations, which board member Michelle McKissack tells media were “widespread.”
Meanwhile, the Shelby County Commission has passed a resolution to initiate a forensic audit of the district, stretching back to 2020. The resolution passed 11-0. State leaders have indicated they will assist us in funding and executing the forensic audit.
I took a close look at the charges brought by the school board against Dr. Feagins and found them to be completely without merit. You can see a collection of my series of posts on these charges at JustMyMemphis.
Investigative reporters at WREG have produced similar findings.
There have been more developments in recent weeks, such as the state’s intervention effort; I will cover those in the April issue.
But here are some additional MSCS highlights (or lowlights) from last month:
The MSCS board granted a 10-year renewal to a charter school with 14 students led by the spouse of interim Superintendent Rod Richmond, voting against the district’s staff recommendation.
An academic review of the district initiated by Dr. Feagins found that the MSCS board “lacks vision.”
Prioritizing public safety
The Shelby County Commission selected Taylor Bachelor from a pool of applicants to replace Bill Anderson as General Sessions Criminal Court Judge in Division 7. Judge Bachelor immediately told media “public safety will be her first consideration.” I’m very pleased with this result.
Who is Wanda Howard?
I recently joined the Memphis Morning News crew at NewsTalk 98.9 FM for a deep dive into an exceedingly weird and error-filled ruling by the trial court judge in the ouster case of Shelby County Clerk “Wanda Howard.” Take a listen.
Upcoming meetings
Mar 26 — Standing Committees, 8:30 a.m.
Mar 31 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
Apr 2 — Budget subcommittee, 9 a.m.
Apr 9 — Standing Committees, 8:30 a.m.
Apr 14 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
Apr 16 — Budget subcommittee, 9 a.m.
Celebrating community leaders
For the Shelby County Commission Black History Month program, it was my pleasure to recognize Dr. Gwendolyn Sutton, President of TCAT Memphis, which includes the TCAT Bartlett campus in District 3. Thank you for your leadership, Dr. Sutton!
Stay in touch
If you have a question or concern, email me at mick.wright@shelbycountytn.gov.
You can speak with the Commission office by calling 901-222-1000.
I welcome your feedback on Facebook @CommissionerMickWright and X @mickwright.
Thanks for reading.
Mick Wright
Shelby County Commission – District 3