In this issue
- Competing interventions
- Excellence in education
- Grant program reforms
Competing interventions
Two versions of a state-level intervention of MSCS are now being deliberated by the General Assembly, following the contentious ouster of Dr. Marie Feagins.
The House version, by Representative Mark White, would create an oversight board to run the district for a period of years while leaving the existing school board in place, stripped of their authority. The overseers would be appointed by the Governor and by the speakers of both state legislative chambers.
An amendment by the bill’s Senate sponsor, Brent Taylor, instead features state leaders removing an existing board member or superintendent while empowering the county commission to fill any vacancy.
Some related legislation being considered in Nashville would:
- Align school board elections with county commission elections
- Apply term limits to school board members
- Allow voters to recall school board members
Meanwhile, the Shelby County Commission is also considering an intervention of sorts. Commissioner Shante Avant has sponsored a resolution to appoint an advisory board to assist the board of education. I respectfully find this idea pointless.
An effort to rescind our vote of no confidence failed in committee. A roundtable of journalists weighed in on my analysis and determined my position is “mean,” despite also concluding the school board has “completely lost credibility.”
Finally, a $3 million forensic audit of MSCS is now underway.
Excellence in education
It was a great pleasure to recognize Sharonda Rose for our Women’s History Month program.
Under the leadership of Principal Rose, Rivercrest Elementary has achieved Tennessee Reward School Status in consecutive years, a Level 5 designation, Tennessee STE(A)M designation, and was recently named a Tennessee Purple Star School for its support of military families.
This year, Ms. Rose was named principal of the year for Bartlett City Schools and went on to be named the 2024-2025 Tennessee West Grand Division Principal of the Year.
Congratulations Principal Rose!
Grant program reforms
There have been renewed efforts to eliminate, pause or reform the Shelby County Commission’s grant program while one board member faces federal charges.
A 30-day moratorium of the grant program failed by a vote of 5-6. Many have asked why the board doesn’t just get rid of the grant program, which invites these ethical questions. The reason is simple: we don’t have 7 votes, even for a brief time out. The majority rules.
That has not stopped me from doing whatever I can to improve things:
- Document and share all grant resolutions in District 3
- Answer questions from media and provide hard to access information
- Lead an ongoing effort to add safeguards and transparency
Upcoming meetings
Apr 9 — Standing Committees, 8:30 a.m.
Apr 14 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
Apr 16 — Budget subcommittee, 9 a.m.
Apr 23 — Budget subcommittee, 9 a.m.
Apr 30 — Standing Committees, 8:30 a.m.
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