MEMPHIS, Tenn. — More controversy at a Memphis-Shelby County School board meeting as a person was removed from a meeting about the renewal of the charter for City University School.

The president of the charter school is the wife of the newly-appointed Interim Superintendent of MSCS, Dr. Roderick Richmond.

“I am recusing myself from participating in the City University School of Independence discussion during the special called meeting,” Dr. Richmond said.

Dr. Richmond said there “may be the appearance of a conflict of interest,” so he didn’t participate in the discussion to determine if the charter school led by his wife should have its charter removed by MSCS.

Dr. Tamika Carwell-Richmond is the president of City University School.

The Office of Charter Schools, a division of MSCS that oversees charters, recommended the denial of the renewal application.

However, the school board approved the school to continue operating anyway.

During the discussion, Dr, Richmond still sat at the podium near fellow school board members, which prompted questions such as if that was a customary practice or if his presence influenced the board’s decision.

“No, it didn’t influence our decision,” Board Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman said. “It didn’t influence my decision.”

The renewal of the city university’s charter is good for the next 10 years, even though the entire school only has 14 students.

Pulling the charter would’ve meant adding nearly $100,000 in state and local funds back into the MSCS district.

Still, the vote didn’t come without controversy.

Public commenters said they didn’t trust today’s process or some of the school board members.

“Let’s be honest, do you think the community is blind to what’s going on? Do you think we are stupid,” one attendee said. “We are not. We see the manipulation and we’re tired of the games.”

However, there were people in attendance who were in favor of the decision.

“If it was nepotism at its finest I wouldn’t of had to present today at all,” said Dr. R. Lemoyne Robinson, the Chancellor of City University Schools. “So I believe it was a fair and open process.”

Dr. Robinson also defended his school’s decision to have the interim superintendent’s wife leading the charter, in spite of past accusations of misappropriating funds for another academy she led back in 2021. 

Those charges were eventually dismissed.

“She was vetted and she went through the background check, nothing came up and I think it’s important that the public knows and understands those charges were dismissed,” Dr. Robinson said.

Robinson said City University is small but described it as impactful, saying they have a 100 percent graduation rate. They are currently looking to enroll more students.

An ambulance was called to help the man who was removed from the podium.

WREG crews said that he did not appear to fall hard while being removed but his condition is unknown at this time.