MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The news that six Shelby County Schools on the priority list could soon wind up in the hands of Achievement School District’s charter operators had some teachers nervous about job security.
Memphis Shelby County Education Association Interim Executive Director Keith Williams told WREG the union’s message to the schools’ teachers is, “to teach, to teach, to teach.”
He and MSCEA President Patricia Scarborough said they believe teachers at the six schools are doing what they can with limited resources.
“Why should the teacher be impugned or blamed for that?” Williams asked.
Williams said he believes SCS’ iZone program, designed to overhaul underperforming schools, is a better option than charter operators stepping in.
MSCEA said it wants to see SCS give schools more resources for teachers to do their jobs, especially where there are economic and social challenges.
The ASD announced Thursday that it is beginning an engagement process with six school neighborhoods to see if its charter operators are a good fit.
These schools are in the bottom five percent of schools in the state, who did not show the growth the state requires to protect them from takeover.
The schools are Caldwell-Guthrie Elementary, Hawkins Mill Elementary, Hillcrest High, Kirby Middle, Raleigh-Egypt Middle, and Sheffield Elementary.
“We’re going to be out there fighting with those teachers to make sure that our voices are heard,” Williams said.
That was because those teachers could be in a tough spot.
Charters can hire whomever they want.
ASD Superintendent Chris Barbic told WREG this week, if charters are matched with schools, teachers are welcome to apply.
“One of the things that we guarantee is that everybody that is currently working in that school, incumbent staff, that wants an interview is granted an interview,” Barbic said.
WREG asked SCS what it is doing for the teachers at the six schools.
In a statement, SCS said, “…HR staff members were available at the ASD’s staff meetings this week to answer questions for teachers. Teachers and staff at each school received an email on Tuesday with some information about this process, and to alert them that meetings would be scheduled.”
No matter what happens, SCS said it will continue to offer opportunities for effective teachers.
“I believe that we have the best teachers in the nation right here in our system,” Scarborough said.
The teachers remain with SCS, during the engagement process.
The ASD’s first community meeting about prospective charter and school match-ups is Tuesday.
