By JC Bowman
The recent lawsuit of Marie Feagins hangs heavy over Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). She was the superintendent until being removed. Dr. Roderick Richmond is now in her place. Richmond inherited a storm.
In recent days, Marie Feagins is seeking a retraction and $50,000 from The Daily Memphian, represented by her attorney William Wooten, over a published story.
The news organization has rejected this demand, asserting that the article is accurate and the information was legally obtained.
Feagins was dismissed in January 2025, and now allegations swirl. The school board, it is said, conspired in secret, breaking Tennessee’s Open Meetings Act. In the midst of this turmoil, she is also taking legal aim at board member Towanna Murphy for defamation.
The fractures in leadership in MSCS run deep. Questions of integrity and governance loom large. For many, this is not just a fight for one person. It is a battle for accountability in our schools. It is a legal battle many Tennesseans are watching.
Meanwhile, the specter of a state takeover grows. Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor, see it as a solution. Their plan: a state-appointed board to tackle years of poor performance and a $1.8 billion budget currently being audited. This board would take control, sidelining the elected school board for four years, perhaps more.
Two bills sought to make this takeover a reality in 2025, but they stumbled over disagreements—who should appoint members, how much power they should wield. The Senate wanted local mayors involved; the House demanded stricter state control. Both passed their chambers but faltered before the session closed in April 2025. Lawmakers intend to revisit the issue in 2026, armed with a $6 million forensic audit.
Critics warn that a takeover undermines local control, pointing to the failures of Tennessee’s Achievement School District. They argue that state intervention often misses the mark. Yet advocates counter that chronic absenteeism and leadership instability demand action, especially given recent gains in MSCS’s performance.
Richmond, now interim superintendent, has a respected history in Memphis, starting as a teacher in 1993. His experience runs deep. He worked on the merger of Memphis City and Shelby County Schools and earned acclaim for turning around struggling schools.
In April 2025, Richmond unveiled a 100-day plan. His goals are clear: improve governance, boost student achievement, enhance staff relations, streamline operations, and engage the community. He aims for 5-10% annual increases in math and literacy, all while addressing absenteeism.
Richmond restructured MSCS into five regions to encourage local decision-making, a move meant to fend off the threat of state takeover. His $325,000 salary, equal to Feagins’, has sparked debate. His contract extends through July 2026. Many principals back him for the permanent role, yet doubts linger among community members and educators amidst ongoing tensions.
In this complex landscape, the Shelby County Commission has pondered local solutions, even forming an advisory board. But decisive action remains elusive. As we navigate these turbulent waters, we must prioritize transparency, community engagement, and effective governance. The future of education in Memphis and Shelby County hangs in the balance.
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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact info@proedtn.org or 1-800-471-4867.
