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Memphis faculties interim chief Roderick Richmond will function the district’s everlasting superintendent after contentious debate amongst board members Wednesday.
The Memphis-Shelby County college board voted unanimously to nominate Richmond because the full-time superintendent after his short-term contract expires on the finish of July. That got here after a break up board argued over whether or not a full superintendent search was possible and needed for transparency, or whether or not quick stability was an important issue.
“There’s a disaster of inconsistency right here,” mentioned board member Amber Huett-Garcia, who voted to nominate Richmond. “Now we have 4 colleagues right here who had rooms full of individuals begging you to not decide final January. However the group voice didn’t matter again then.”
Final January, the MSCS board voted to immediately hearth former superintendent Marie Feagins. They instantly appointed Richmond because the short-term chief. Richmond is the fourth chief MSCS has had in 4 years.
Board members pushing for Richmond’s appointment Wednesday mentioned the context of an impending state takeover places urgency behind the choice.
“We’re below assault by the state,” mentioned chair Natalie McKinney, who voted to nominate Richmond. “Our continued kicking the can down the highway in making a choice a few everlasting superintendent places us probably within the crosshairs with the state.”
Richmond’s promotion comes as Tennessee Republicans are working to cross payments for a state takeover of MSCS. Invoice sponsors Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. Mark White, who each characterize the Memphis space, are pushing to ascertain a state-appointed board of managers that may strip the native college board of most powers, together with the hiring and firing of superintendents.
Whereas neither will affirm whether or not the brand new board would instantly substitute the district chief, Taylor mentioned in a Friday interview that selections made by MSCS now — together with Richmond’s appointment — are “irrelevant.”
Three board members – Tamarques Porter, Sable Otey, and Towanna Murphy – initially voted towards the appointment course of, and to delay naming an appointee till Feb. 24.
“I do admire Dr. Richmond for bringing us stability,” Porter mentioned. “I don’t see a have to rush proper now.”
The phrases of Richmond’s new contract are undecided. MSCS Basic Counsel Justin Bailey will enter quick negotiations with Richmond to determine how lengthy he’ll keep on and what his wage shall be, amongst different particulars. Richmond receives $325,000 per 12 months as interim, the identical price paid to former superintendent Feagins.
Bailey is predicted to current Richmond’s contract after at the very least 14 days.
Richmond has mentioned in earlier interviews that he’s targeted on restoring belief and stability to the district. After the assembly, Richmond instructed reporters that he’s excited to guide MSCS in the direction of being the “primary city district within the nation.”
“Having retention in our district is likely one of the most necessary issues we are able to do now,” he mentioned. “We’ve stabilized the district. Now, what I need us to do is present the continuity needed for us to show it round.”
Board members praised Richmond for delivering on the obligations they gave him earlier this 12 months. Within the final 11 months, Richmond helped develop a long-term services plan that features closing as much as 15 faculties within the subsequent three years. The MSCS board will vote on 5 of his suggestions this month.
He additionally created a new regional superintendent mannequin for MSCS and introduced again district-wide testing. Below Richmond’s management, trainer vacancies have been minimize in half to 226 at first of the college 12 months. Richmond has mentioned he desires that quantity right down to 50 by August.
Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Colleges for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Attain Bri at bhatch@chalkbeat.org.
