MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Schools has concluded an investigation into Superintendent Joris M. Ray.
Dr. Joris Ray took the interim superintendent position in December 2018 to rapturous applause. But quietly behind the scenes Shelby County Schools hired an outside law firm to investigate Ray and allegations he sexually harassed women.
Officials say the investigation determined the allegations were unfounded.
According to a report that was released Thursday the only allegations of misconduct came from a semi-anonymous letter that was mailed to school leaders and signed ‘M. Jones.’ The letter claimed Ray had harassed the sender and other women.
But no one with a name similar to M. Jones or other district employees the law firm spoke to backed up those claims.
This comes as the school debates whether to make Ray the permanent superintendent or consider other options.
Some people clearly want the district to continue with its nationwide search. “We need a search. We need a search, because we need to the best person available,” parent Charles Warren said.
Other people want to continue with the man they say is already doing a fine job and has now been cleared of any wrongdoing.