MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The new interim leader of Memphis Shelby County Schools says he has scheduled a meeting with Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who said Monday the state will take over the local school board.

Dr. Roderick Richmond, who was appointed just minutes after the school board voted to terminate Marie Feagins from the position a week ago, spoke Tuesday with WREG’s Alex Coleman.

“I can understand there being some level of apprehension, but I think the board made the decision that they thought was in the best interest of the district by putting me in as the interim, so that we can continue with some of our continuity, and I can provide some of the stability that is needed to move our district forward,” Richmond said.

Richmond said he has met with senior staff and is working on his 100-day plan. He also has met with Republican state Rep. Mark White — who is introducing legislation to allow the state to intervene in MSCS — and Democratic Rep. G. A. Hardaway.

He also said he has scheduled a meeting with House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who told media outlets Monday that the state will declare the MSCS board “null and void” and take over the local district.

Asked what he wanted to tell Sexton, Richmond said, “First of all, I think the district is in good hands with me as the interim at this time, to provide continuity and stability. I also think that if given the chance, we’ll be able to move this district forward, and we’ll be able to create a district that can be a model for the nation when it comes to educating urban students. I would tell him to just give me a chance and an opportunity.”

He continued, “Anyone that knows Dr. Richmond will tell you that he’s the type of person that is going to hold people accountable, and he’s going to allow data and logic to drive each and every decision to make in our district.”

“The board voted, and the board spoke. Dr. Richmond has done this for over 30 years. He has the qualifications, and that’s why we chose him as our interim superintendent.”

Richmond was joined on WREG by school board chair Joyce Dorse Coleman, who proclaimed by Richmond’s three decades of experience in local schools.

She also stood by the decision to terminate Feagins’ contract, despite what some felt was a lack of clear evidence.

“We had enough evidence. We would not have operated if we did not have proof. You know the saying, the proof is in the pudding? We had the proof,” Dorse Coleman said. “It’s taking nothing away from Dr. Feagins. She was a great person. It just wasn’t the right fit for our district at the time.”

Feagins has hired an attorney who has asked some local officials to retain records for litigation.

“I will see them in court,” Feagins said the night of her termination.