MSCS Board selects 3 finalists for superintendent
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Tennessee’s largest school district is now one step closer to naming its next superintendent.
Tuesday, the Memphis-Shelby County School (MSCS) Board approved the following finalists in a 9-0 vote:
- Yolanda Brown, Chief Academic Officer in Atlanta
- Dr. Marie N. Feagins, Chief of High Schools and Leadership Development with Detroit Public Schools
- Dr. Cheryl Proctor, Deputy Superintendent for Portland Public Schools
This search process has dragged on for more than one year after former Superintendent Dr. Joris Ray resigned last August.
The board also completely restarted their search with new W candidates and finalists, before the 2023-2024 school year.
This is the first time in at least a decade, that the person who will be the next superintendent will be from outside of MSCS and Memphis.
“We’ll have community engagement where we want to get them out in the community,” said MSCS Board member Joyce Dorse-Coleman. “They’re going to be a part of this community. They need to know the community.”
Danette Stokes, President of the United Education Association of Shelby County, one of two teacher unions at MSCS, wants the next leader to be union-friendly.
“We will definitely be doing our research on those top three candidates to see who we would like to have and we will be very vocal in that process invited or uninvited,” said President of the United Education Association of Shelby County Danette Stokes.
Stokes was critical of district leaders at Tuesday’s meeting, saying more teachers need to be involved in the process.
Board and community members agree the next superintendent must know Memphis and the district’s background.
“As an educator in this school system, we should have a voice,” said Stokes. “And our voice should be heard and it should be loud and clear. And the things that we want in the next superintendent should be considered.”
None of the three finalists have previously served as superintendents during their careers, but each holds a high-ranking position in their current school districts.
The finalists will come back to Memphis in the new year for more interviews with the board and community.
The new Superintendent is expected to be in place by July 1, 2024.
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