Community advocacy groups are petitioning for MSCS-controlled elections

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Several Memphis advocacy groups have asked to participate in the search for the next superintendent of Memphis Shelby County Schools.

The groups will hold a joint press conference Thursday to address the school board.

These groups, including Memphis for All, Protect the Children and others, say the candidate revealed last Saturday that they lacked integrity in the search process, and they are asking the board to let the MSCS Community Advisory Committee be a part of it. develop and create a “supercommunity search plan”.

Last Saturday, the search firm hired by MSCS revealed three of the 34 candidates for sponsor, including interim CEO Tony Williams, Brenda Cassilius of Minnesota and Carlton Jenkins of Madison, Wisconsin.

Cassilius and Jenkins both served as superintendents in other districts and have backgrounds in education and administration.

The company identified interim principal Williams as a “non-traditional” candidate, saying she was still qualified despite not having a teaching background, but the board disagreed.

“I am completely disappointed, completely disappointed. You and I had a one-on-one conversation. I was very honest with what I expected in the process,” said MSCS Vice President Shelia Harris. Since then, Cassilius has withdrawn from the competition and 4 new finalists have been announced.”

Miles also stopped running.

Board members say they’re really just getting started because they can now see the criteria and become a little more part of the process.

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