MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Just moments after voting to terminate MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins, the school board named Dr. Roderick Richmond the interim head.
After a tense, hours-long meeting of the Board of Education, the vote came down 6-3 to terminate Dr. Marie Feagins’ contract on Tuesday night.
Richmond was recommended to serve as the interim superintendent and accepted the role. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Richmond served as the Transformation Officer for MSCS.
This is what we know about Dr. Roderick Richmond so far.
When appointed as the district’s Transformation Officer, Richmond’s role was to “uplift and support” 76 low-performing schools that were rated “D” or “F” by the state.
He and his team also oversaw athletics, discipline hearings, and Next-Level Readiness programs such as College, Career, and Technical Education that help ensure students are prepared for the next chapter of life after K-12, according to the MSCS website.
Before he transitioned into the Transformation Officer position in June 2024, Richmond served MSCS as its Executive Director of Student Support Services.
“He has held nearly every role in this district and holds deep institutional knowledge,” said Feagins.
The district says Richmond’s career has spanned over three decades, in which time he has worked as an educator and administrator. He joined MSCS during the 2013-2014 school year.
Richmond is listed as Senior Director of Policy and Research for an education consulting firm called Sycamore Tree Consulting Group. His bio on the firm’s website states that he served as Deputy Superintendent and Chief of School Operations for Memphis City Schools and seved with the district’s i-Zone schools.
He graduated from the district and holds a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University, a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi, and Educational Specialist Doctorate degrees from Union University.
Richmond has applied for the superintendent’s job in the past, and was a candidate in the first round before Dr. Feagins was selected.
As discussion about Richmond was ongoing Tuesday night, our cameras captured a tense exchange with him and the audience: “Be careful! Be careful! Be careful! Don’t play with me! Don’t play with me!,” he said.
His interim appointment comes after a survey was issued by the Memphis Shelby County Principals Association to school superintendents.
Out of the 150 surveys sent, 82 principals responded with 26 expressing fear of retaliation.
The survey said over 75% of respondents believe they have not been adequately supported by the district, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with resources, communication, or leadership. 69% also reported they are “Not Confident” or “Extremely Not Confident” in district leadership…also expressing a preference for leadership change.
43% of those who took the survey said they would support Dr. Richmond as the interim superintendent. Dr. Angela Whitelaw, who turned down the nomination last night, had 34%; 18% said it doesn’t matter and 4% wanted to keep Dr. Feagins.
After his appointment Tuesday night, Richmond he said he was “surprised yet honored.”
County Mayor Lee Harris said Wednesday that Richmond was from Frayser, and had a personal interest in pushing through the new Frayser school project.
“The good news is, Dr. Richmond is uniquely positioned to make it happen,” Harris said, referring to the Frayser school.
The school district also noted that Richmond participated in prestigious programs such as the Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) at Harvard University and the TSBA Prospective Superintendent’s Academy.
Vice Chair Stephanie Love said on Tuesday that she’s confident Richmond can handle the interim superintendent position until they find a permanent successor to Dr. Feagins.
“While we determine our next steps in the selection of a permanent superintendent, Dr. Richmond will provide steady and experienced leadership for the District by collaborating closely with the Board and by addressing pressing issues facing the District,” Love said. “Dr. Richmond is uniquely qualified to guide us forward.”
“I look forward to working with the MSCS Board of Education on a path forward to ensure that our students continue to have the education and resources they deserve,” said Richmond.
The school board will host a press conference on Thursday, January 23 at 12 p.m. inside the 901 Cafe at the MSCS Central Office to discuss the forthcoming changes around the district.