MSCS board postpones Feagins ouster vote until next meeting | Education

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board of education has one week until it votes on the fate of superintendent Marie Feagins. 

Last month, board members outlined a series of allegations against her in an attempt to oust her from the district’s top job. Tuesday night, she had a chance to respond.

In a passionate 45-minute speech aimed at debunking the allegations against her, the superintendent called the removal process flawed and unfair. “You called on a leader ready to meet this challenge and I have worked tirelessly with the district community to do the hard, necessary work of delivering on the promise of a better future for every student,” she said.

Dr. Feagins is accused of improperly accepting a donation, missing grant deadlines and misleading the board about overtime costs. She also addressed claims she lacks transparency and was misguided in her restructuring efforts.

She was frequently cheered on by a packed board room. “I am at peace knowing I was the right leader at the right place at the right time. And that changed everything,” she said.

During a work meeting immediately after Feagins’ presentation, board member Amber Huett-Garcia introduced a resolution to replace the ouster attempt. It outlined a path forward for Feagins to remain superintendent and for the board to improve its relationship with her.

“I need the community and the constituents of my colleagues to put pressure on them to do what we always ask our kids to do, and that is to work through challenges,” Huett-Garcia said.

Some of Feagins’ critics on the board said Feagins’ speech and the proposed resolution were not enough to change their position.

Board member Towanna Murphy said she still wants Feagins out.

“I think the takeaway I got from that is, give me proof,” Murphy said. “That’s it. There’s no proof. It’s just talk. Give me proof.”

The board will meet again Tuesday, January 21. At the meeting, they will vote on the resolution to fire Feagins and the possibility of replacing it with Huett-Garcia’s resolution.