MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis lawmaker’s proposal to add state appointees to the Memphis-Shelby County School Board is being called a terrible idea by some county commissioners and community activists.
The proposed legislation would allow Governor Bill Lee to appoint up to six members to the school board.
Memphis Representative Mark White said his proposal to add state-appointed members to the locally elected MSCS school board is needed to help improve student achievement.
White said students in the district scored 24% in reading proficiency, and math scores were even lower.
White said his plan would involve input from the Shelby County Commission.
Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell says state involvement has been a disaster in Memphis.
“I totally disagree with the idea,” Caswell said. “Just knowing where the state has been in the time past with the Achievement School District, they came in and thought they knew what was best for our children and families here. We saw that system fail our children in a mighty way, and it just so happens to be a community I serve in, the Frayser community, and to see them think they have the answer now, I think it’s a terrible idea.”
Other commissioners say the state should help, but only with more dollars.
“I’d say I agree that something needs to be done to help the district. So, what they (the state) can do is increase the funding. As we know, we didn’t get the adequate funding needed by the state for our educational system,” said Commissioner Mickell Lowery.
Some community groups are also sounding off. The School Board Five, Memphis for All, The Equity Alliance, and Black Voters Matter view the plan as a state takeover.
“This is a subtle form of hijacking and hostile takeover. It’s an attack on our democracy and the black and brown community,” said Tekeila Rucker with Memphis For All.
In a statement to WREG, MSCS School Board Chair Reverend Althea Greene said, “We may have had some challenges, but more interference from the general assembly is not warranted at this time.”
