##VIDEO ID:H2z6rq5a3so## e e e e [Music] security ladies and ladies and [Applause] gentlemen L ladies ladies and gentlemen Could Happen ladies and gentlemen good evening welcome to the December 17th 2024 special call meeting at Memphis Shelby County Schools Miss Clark please call the road commissioner M present commissioner Garcia present commissioner Porter present commissioner Murphy present commissioner love present commissioner mckenny present commissioner OT present commissioner Williams pres board chair Coleman present you have nine in the affirmative thank you we do have a quarum the purpose of tonight's special call meeting is to discuss the terminating the contract agreement between seend Marie and fagans and Memphis shev County School Board I am please stand for the Pledge of [Music] Allegiance I pledge allegiance to of the United States of America and to the for it stands one na indivisible withy and justice for all thank you you may be seated this is a process people and I'm asking I'm asking Miss Carpenter Miss Carpenter I I respect you so please [Applause] please this is a process and I'm asking that we show respect one to another security please ask them when they are out of control to sit down I don't want to put anybody out well we are now on to public comment in accordance with State stature the board shall reserve a period for public comment we doing 30 minutes y that's what the rulle say during business and special call meetings only those members of the public who submit public comment cards to the board chairman prior to the Comm commencement of this meeting shall be permitted to address the board public comments shall be taken in the order in which the public comment cards are received a signup sheet for public comment will be available 30 minutes prior to each applicable meeting and will be closed at the start of the meeting this sign up is located at the entryway table just past the security checkpoint speakers must State their name organization he or she is represent if any and subject of their comment before they are permitted to proceed speakers may offer objective comments about school operations and programs that concern them speakers are asked to refrain from using names of personnel or names of persons connected with the school system particularly when lodging a complaint speakers will be permit will not be permitted to engage in Gossip make def flammatory comments or use Abus abusive or vulgar language language the the chairman shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive and does not adhere to board rules Dr Schultz will announce the number of speakers and time allocated per speaker your time is projected on the screen to your right and directly behind the board when you hear a bail your time has expired Dr Schultz by policy public comment is limited to 30 minutes there are 57 people signed up on this list it uh to put you up here for 12 seconds seems ridiculous so one minute per person and at 30 minutes in we'll have to stop chair yes I would like to make a motion that we extend the time for public comments to accommodate uh giving more people to time to share their perspective you like to go all the way through to 57 got well we are talking about whether or not we're going to terminate our superintendent that may warrant a little bit more than 30 seconds one minute one minute all right thank you for clarifying that what would you still like to make the motion all of them yes I would like to make the motion for every speaker to who's already signed up to speak and to be allotted 1 minute a second second all in Ro roll call vote [Music] please commissioner mckisic I commissioner Garcia I commissioner Porter I commissioner Murphy I commissioner love I commissioner mckin I commissioner OT I commissioner Willam I boy Coleman I you have nine in the affirmative that motion passes all 57 persons that have signed up will have one mo one minute to speak the first five people John Bush Fred white Tim Vance Judy Brown Sandra b Natasha Tate please announce who you your name and your address please test test good evening my name is John Bush my address is 2527 old dutchway Memphis ten C 38133 good evening board members and fellow colleagues and members of the community I'm speaking tonight in my role as president of the principal Association representing School leaders who work tirelessly every day to support students teachers and families I recognize that tonight's decision regarding the superintendent's leadership is a significant one leadership transitions are always challenging and stability is critical for the SU success of our schools and the district as principles we are on the front lines and our Focus remains clear to ensure that our schools have the resources support and guidance they need to serve our students effectively however we have encountered challenges that make this work more difficult than it needs to be thank you greetings boy members my name is Mr Frederick white Dr Frederick white 1497 rainy Cove Memphis Tennessee um I come before you just to say that our superintendent um is not perfect uh she is new to this position uh but every time that as a member of the board uh principales Association uh she has talked to us with kids in mind first um I do want to her credit applaud her for always oper ating with our scholars in mind some things have not been perfect some things have been great um I think that the um superintendent uh is a wonderful person and I hope that uh the the team that she has assembled uh every member of this team that we have worked with has done wonders uh uh not to mention names but that front row um are some Superstars and they have helped us um uh without with great Focus so thank you superintendent for the job that you have [Applause] done um how you doing my name is Tim Vance and I just want to look at Dr Fagan in her eyes Mr Vance can I can we have your address before you start 3586 or what year Ro my name is Tim Vance and I see her on the news I see all this stuff going on and it's messy and all I just want to say to you is that if you find any kind of way in the budget in the budget to teach the kids how to write because my concern is the kids and all the stuff y'all doing this on y'all I'm concerned with these kids that's my main priority these kids can write they they they they making Deeds all the time I'm just find some somewhere in the budget that you got to have some type of curriculum in the school for these kids to learn how to write they don't know how to write I'm talking to the people from Nashville and I see Antonio Mr Antonio he's here from Nashville all these these kids cannot write and I've got a problem with that with these parents not teaching these kids how to write third fourth fifth sixth grade they need they need to know how to write and I'm just telling you Dr Fagan I don't know what is going to be here or you're not I'm telling the board I don't know if y'all what's going to happen but as of starting following week thank you y need to find some [Music] money my name is Judy Jackson Brown 5672 Tulip Hill Drive I'm a retired educator of Memphis chubby County schools and I am here to object to the board members constant scrutiny of an effective superintendent the majority of the people in this community the movers the Shakers the money makers and the money people who give out money to us the city the teachers the community parents and students are all in support of Dr fagans we are on her side we are happy with the person that the school board elected we are happy with her you elected her and we're happy with your choice we voted for you to represent us but in wanting to remove her you're not representing us I am here to request the school board allow the superintendent to stay hired I [Music] support good afternoon I am Sandra b p. box 753 793 and I am representing not only myself as a retired teacher but an active retired teacher with the univer with the university with uh UEA our Union next is now I'm here to support the Visionary and the Visionary is Dr Marie n fagin as I look around the room I immediately spot professionals nonprofessionals educated uneducated lay persons as well as clergy and the media basically many of us are present tonight to support a Visionary a genuine leader a Community Connector a mover and a shaker from day one of her being hired she has hit the ground running with the ultmost intention of evaluating not only or elevating not only this District but all Memphis city school students she has gone far thank you Miss B Miss B good evening Tasha t 5275 low Stone Loop tonight's decision reminds me of the time I went shopping to find that perfect outfit after trying it on I knew I had to buy it the cost was not an issue however after I got home guilt consumed me there was no flaw in the outfit just a consequence of my purchasing decision we call that bias remorse board members this is not analigus to hire's remorse you diligently sought the optimal candidate the right fit and found Dr Marie Fagan your choice to resend and eliminate the ideal candidate causes you causes many of us to conclude that you lack the capacity and competence to make sound judgments for our future yes now to Dr Fagan fight the good fight of Faith continue to remain steadfast and unmovable we stand with you thank you for being the perfect fit for such a time as this the F next five speakers Noah Nordstrom Sarah Carpenter lashanta Rudd Scotty Davidson and Omar baru I'm sorry if I mispronounced your last night all right my name is Noah Nordstrom 622 Forest Grove Drive I'm a Spanish teacher at Cs and I'm represented by Joyce Coleman and I was hired during a time of chaos last year without a superintendent we had historic treny um we had salaries so low that I could barely afford to live we had a massive teacher shortage and so many of us wanted to quit every single day and then came Dr fagin's and she immediately began transforming our schools she ended the teacher shortage at our school she began cutting waste she began tackling truancy and our school just today announced that we improved a letter grade in just one semester of having Dr fagans and so first we know that this meeting is likely illegal because it was called without the full consent of the board and it was called behind closed doors which is a violation of sunshine laws and the Tennessee open records act secondly this is political suicide for you all first of all we know that exactly how many signatures we need to get you out of office McKinny is 1, 155 love is 1,898 OT it's 243 Murphy it's 855 and Coleman it is 3,25 and I will be the first to knock door thank you Mr norstrom Mr Nordstrom thank you thank [Applause] you Carpenter 2130 Cur Avenue 38108 I just came to serve notice that the state is on the way way and I'm going to support every step of the way if the state come in because it look like we can't do it down here I also want to say that three weeks ago a board member that's sitting up there called me and said that they were going to fire Dr Fagan I said what what y'all going to do about superintendent get what they said they said we not going to do another search that's not the Democratic way we not going to do another search a board member call me I didn't call her she called me she called me a board member called me a board member called me Nat OT Keith Porter Michelle Amber a board member Jo a board member call me and said this so it look like that they said the employees ain't happy well guess what if I ain't happy I'mma leave a job if I ain't happy I'mma leave I Lashanda leanda you're next sir it's leanda R and then Scotty Davidson and Omar my name is lanta Rudd my address is 1200 David Street and I live in Orange Mound today is a disgrace yes it it's a disgrace to our city and our children are watching us this whole thing is disturbing the the fact that we are even here we hired her to do a job now you want to get rid of her let me say this to all of y'all a day is coming when you will have to give an account for this day you will give an account say that Joyce colan you were give an account for this moment I can assure you that absolutely absolutely re what you st you all are in it for yourselves this ain't about our children y don't give a damn about our kids Scotty Davidson representive for SEIU 1604 sales Landing Road superintendent I'm here tonight to ask you to look into the nutrition service manager or supervisors in the area managers raises they was promised six they was told they was going to get 6% they have not received that yet some of the managers are working out there or the supervisor are working out there not getting their stiens and have not been getting their stiens all year so I would like you to look into their pay I know the compensation uh department is packed up backed up right now we do want to thank you for our uh area managers or the uh building Engineers raises you did get they have received those but our cafeteria managers and area managers have not received their raises yet their 6% we just wish you would look into that and I want to thank you and uh please look into the pay they're not getting thank [Applause] you my name is Omar baru I'm a former school teacher for 5 years parent of seven children with the Bachelor and Masters to the PHD degree um can you address 9345 Morning Grove Cove uh a product of the city school system of Memphis and Lon or college Dr Fagan is one of the best things that Memphis ever had because she's not the problem she's is trying to find solutions to the problem because the problem starts with the home that's why right now I have a group called parenting with the purpose because what happens is that the the problem starts in the home and we're not doing anything at the home to make the children ready for the school we've got to come back to the table and teach our children just the basics when they come out the womb the first teacher is the parent you teach them how to walk you teach how to train themselves to eat the colors alphabets you do that at home my father couldn't read or write but he made sure at home I learned everything I needed to learn before I got to the school building we got to go back to that and Dr Fagan keep your post we with [Applause] you our next five speakers Cheryl cite Rachel sprigs Latasha Griggs Charles lampin and Britney Shelby sessions good evening I am Sheryl piggy kite my address is 856 Faxon elections have consequences and this is the result of us electing you to V to represent us to do the work that we ask you to do what has transpired has not been shared with us all we know is a call meeting was made as a representative of us we should have been uh no good word I couldn't find it notified that actions were taking place we again I say elections have consequences yes and because of the consequences that have occurred there will be a different election happening next time I am Sheryl piggy [Applause] K Rachel sprs um all the Motions aside uh as a person who will you say your address please all right stop my time back over there thank you racer sprs 440 north mcneel um all emotions aside as a person who fought for um superintendent to have a fair process to be here and also uh have um worked hard to get four of the newly uh elected board members in the seats that they are in this is a disappointment um we took almost three times the time to find her then we are taken to fire her yes the superintendent is new uh four of you have not even officially completed training and it appears that she has not been given a chance to do the job that she was hired to do fagans despite what the public feel you are the only one in this room that knows the truth you the only one in this room that knows whether or not you have been cachable we don't but what we all know is we desire to see you succeed I'm not sure of the accusations that will come out but thank you thank you Miss Briggs thank you good afternoon Dr f i stand with you miss gri will you say your address please 1095 BMA Dr Fagan I stand with you I'm going say that first and foremost everybody else I've never seen a group of selfish people in my life that lady come here to do a job everything she done you all have crucified this lady for everything everything she go right y'all every time she TI Sho y'all UNT you all are the most selfish people I have ever seen I'm going to file a petition I want every last one of y'all from up there you all are incompetent to run this board cuz y'all don't think about these kids nothing y'all doing is about the kids everything is about you all this is not about the kids this is about y'all cuz why are we right here right before Christmas having a meeting about getting rid of the superintendent make it make sense y'all selfish as hell Mr Charles lampin Charles lamin 3711 Austin P highway I stand before you this evening a member of this community I watch you spend lots and lots of money to find a dignified capable competent individual to come in here and run this District she did exactly what she was hired to do to come in here and repair the breach to fix your image out there and put this District together and get it on the right foot and head Us in the right direction and like just like Miss Grigg said you have done everything possible to sabotage that I stand with you and I applaud your efforts but you remember this every one of you sitting up there the word says in Luke 12 and 48 to whom much is given much is also required so give ready cuz there is a day God's coming for you believe that believe that hello you stand and you be [Applause] strong greetings everyone in the room honored to be in the space with you Britany Shelby sesum North ID wild my ask tonight is that we hold this off um my reason is the money we've spent I was on the parent Collective who was a part of the process for selecting Dr fagin and I personally do not care if it was Dr Pippy long stockings from Pluto it's too soon there's been too many valuable resources spent by way of time and fiscal resources and at the end Children and Families suffer my question would be if this is the resolve what is next um I truly believe that next is now I would like to invite you all to consider that whatever missteps have happened I believe there could be other recourse other than this resolve and I yield thank you Cal Taylor notoria Carpenter Tam Martin Mark Williams Danisha fields good evening my name is Kyle Taylor I live at 641 East Drive 38112 I have a first grader at Ida wild Elementary as parents our number one priority is our children's safety when I get Robo calls moments after something happens at a school that's not even in my district but before I see it on social media I know my children are safe and the system is watching out for them when I get text message alerts and emails letting me know that forms are due or a deadline is approaching I know that the system that my child is in is running efficiently and cares about their progress there's only so much we can do as parents and voters about the budget cuts building closures due to years of neglect and St cing shortages I know that we can keep living here keep paying taxes here keep trying to vote for better representation that values public education but I would suspect that most of us would recognize that as an uphill battle the least we can do as concerned parents working long hours thank you Mr Taylor this is exactly 3 minutes long this is one minute long I'm going to finish thank No Sir Mr Taylor notoria Carpenter 1637 Bron Memphis Tennessee I stand before you tonight I have come to countless board me before tonight y'all are some not all of y'all and I'm going rephrase what some say not all of the board members are disrespectful not all of y'all are selfish some of y'all text all night not listening to what we saying but I tell you y'all love to let the superintendent know that y'all her boss but we the voters your boss we are we got children can't even read but y'all want to sit here and say we going to find a superintendent tonight we and you going to tell me you going to fight a superintendent in the middle of a school year y'all had agendas all the time I didn't heard from board members way before last night that y'all was going to get rid of Dr fagans so this ain't new it might be new to some of the board members but your board members did this before they were sworn in but we the people going to walk with our feet and we going to keep on fighting and y'all mark my word we going to vote right that's righte time better to mear 3380 Brook me street dear board members I am speaking to express my strong support for retaining our current superintendent their leadership has been instrumental in driving positive changes within our district we have seen significant improvements in student performance staff morale and Community engagement under direr it will be a diservice to our students and Community to lose such a dedicated and effective leader I urge you to reconsider any decision to terminate their contract and instead focused on building upon the success we have achieved together I stand with Dr [Music] Fagan where you going we're here oh where you going hello my name is Mark Williams uh holl price ninth grader um Legacy builder for mscs thank you mie fagins my address is 918 East dster Avenue Memphis Tennessee 3106 thank for restarting the clock whoever did that I want to go ahead and first start off that I am deeply ashamed for the school district and school board for allow for doing this you have not given this lady you have only give made 8 to 10 months to prove her worth I am absolutely and deeply ashamed I'm a student here in this District how dare you do this you went ahead and did a one-onone in-person interview with a superintendent and that's an evaluation that's not an evaluation that's just personal coming in I thought we supposed to be businessman here I am deeply ashamed it's like you hired this lady just to be a scapegoat I am tired and sick of this man I deserve to have a good education we have people our mscs buildings are over 60 years old on average we have people that are struggling in the classrooms how dare you go ahead and fire this lady she only has 8 months hey how dare you do this thank you for your time I I I can't follow that but I'm Danisha Fields 16 I'll wait on y'all all right Danisha field 1637 Britain Street um I had high hopes for this board we got a new superintendent and we had new board members I just knew the projection of all Shelby County students was going to change for the best for the greater I thought that this was the the change that Sam Cook sang about and this was the dream that Dr King dreamed about but I stand here today disappointed cuz that dream is turned into a nightmare we had someone dedicated she gave y'all her plan of what she was going to do before she got here I know some of y'all wasn't here but some of y'all sat in this audience beside this line with us while we participated in that process and I was one of the ones that stood here and said we needed somebody bold and unafraid to make change and that's that's what has happened and and it sounds like to me that and even the previous interim superintendent said that she inherited a mess she inherited a mess so her predecessor inherit your time is up Miss FS thank Youk thank you issues issu nria nria Ren Loria Robinson Edith a Moore George Summers Bertha Williams Ren Robinson Moore Summers Williams am I first did you call me first Ren Robinson Moore Summers and Bertha Williams good evening my name my titles Reverend Dr Edith Anne Moore Dr what Miss Dr Moore yes is Ran's ran is first is I asked that question thank You Ren Robinson it's not Ren it's nria Ren thank you my name is nria Ren my address is 9695 Manor View Cove I stand here today in support of Dr fagans the board has not provided any clear justification documentation or explanation as to why you guys want to fire her y'all haven't given us anything y'all keeping us in the dark three four months ago we elected a ccel in on that board and now I'm telling you now that's going to be the first one we coming for I myself along with parents Business Leaders Community leaders we going to replace each and every one of y'all who vote this woman out of here I want you to understand we going to get some good candidates some exceptionable in and some people that's educ we going to get some people who can do this job that y'all obviously cannot do without having Egos and selfishness involved we going to Canvas we going to educate voters and we going to get y'all right on up out of here so I want y'all to understand what you doing understand it cuz we coming for you understand it and make sure you understand that we all stand for Dr fagans and if you don't do your job the job we elected you to do we going to come for you next [Music] Miss Robinson Latoya Robinson 2850 Curtis Street doctor Dr Fagan's efforts are not the problem the problem is a system that has failed our children for far too long removing her doesn't save the students or their education it only proves that this board is more interested in the power struggles than progress parents we are the ones with the power to demand better we hold the currency which are our babies we get up and we bring them to school so you all can say hey they're here pay us so we hold the currency and I say we should control the currency if you all vote a woman who I have not I don't know she got to be 12 of her got to be cuz this woman is Here There and Everywhere and she oh she's doing what she got to do if you vote her out then we need to do what we need to do as parents because our children are not going to survive anyway keep them at home boy CAU the boo the school system that's what I [Applause] say Doc Dr Moore as I was saying I am Reverend Dr Edith Anne Moore former teacher former County Commissioner Dr Moore will you give your address please uh I was getting to that I'm sorry yeah no problem my address is 2570 James Road Memphis Tennessee 38127 I say that to say that I am not hot nor cold on this issue issue but I have been following it and with all the things that I have done and have told you I have done I would not under the circumstances have put in to have this job that Dr Fagen has because of the situation that she found when she got here the school board the school system was this functional and commissioner Williams you know me I was a teacher I was always coming down asking you to advocate for teachers I was so proud when you finally got on the board because you know the problems of the teachers you know they couldn't read and write you know we were graduating students that did not have a future you knew that cuz I told you and now we get someone that will has a backbone to stand up thank you thank you Miss Moore thank you Mr Summers Mr Summers thank you my name is George Summers 567 wisman Street Memphis Tennessee I have come tonight to hear the uh questions and answers of the board regarding this matter I am not AB breast of the concrete reasons why so so I've come with an open mind but what I do want to say is there is a very very Hefty financial burden on the school district to remove the superintendent we've already gone through a heavy financial burden in the past I would ask that the school board work with the superintendent and postpone this vote till a later date thank you for your time good afternoon my name is Bera Williams and I reside at 37 West biscane Road and I am here to support our superintendent and I think that she's doing a marvelous job I am not easily impressed by people and the one thing the very thing that impressed me was that when she said our students cannot read I turned around quickly and I saw this little lady and I was so impressed and I said she's the one for our school system so when I say this I would like to say this I wish our board members would reconsider not all of them I know is in favor of get of dismissing our superintendent but I would like for you all to think long and hard because in the short period of time that she has had I uh I believe that she has made very big progress and thank you Dr Fagan and I would like to say bless you and we have you Dr Janetta for they are going we are working to open the cafe so more people can come in you're more than welcome thank you Dr Janetta Cooper ad Diddy Clark Kenny Lee Dr Kimberly Morgan and an Rippy excuse me if I did not pronounce your last name correctly good evening my name is Dr jonetta Cooper address 2652 appan Chris Drive Memphis Tennessee 38133 it is my belief that superintendent fegans should be given a fair opportunity to exhibit her skill set as a new superintendent termination is not always the answer however further development is necessary when something needs to be fixed and I am a problem solver I believe that all Personnel for MCS receives that training if she needs further training please provide that for her Rome was not built in a day it takes time so with that being said let us extend grace and mercy as we ask for our students and let us stay steadfast and remember we work with heads hearts and hands with all due respect thank you last name Clark how y'all doing my name is AD Clark at uh 2159 Clayton I have a artistic son that goes to um uh Keystone is 23 um kids in the classroom with one teacher and we not sitting here talking about that right we sitting here before Christmas trying to evoke this lady out of office which is eight women up here right one one one white lady not racist that means we can't come together to do nothing we can't come together to do nothing to save our life it's a shame for God for Christmas that we sitting up here going to voke this laid out and my son autistic Now 23 students is in one classroom now if something happened to my son and I am a struggling father you see I work the police just left out the neighborhood busting somebody I could have been one of those guys after her but I make sure my son gets to school and from school but y'all going to vote this lady out all you women up here can't even get along and y'all showing the community what's really going on though it's sad though it's really sad though good afternoon my name is Kenny Lee my address is 5152 Vicky Drive um I just want to say this uh Dr Fagan they smiling your face but all the time they want to take your place and I think this is a shame what is happen you got all of Memphis is watching tonight and you know I was giving the key to Shelby County but I think it is a shame to what is going on in this County it makes no sense at all give this lady an opportunity these kids need help and she is the help and we don't fall for we don't fall for something we'll fall for anything so all thing I'mma say is this y'all got a decision to make tonight Memphis is watching Memphis is watching she is the example of what leadership is so I'm going say this and I'm done I'mma say this because I was giv the key I'm asking that you I will reconsider and allow her to do her job do her job thank you good afternoon my name is Dr Kimberly Morgan 15 465 Meadow Brier Trail what is going on tonight is ridiculous I am embarrassed I am a educator for 20 years I tried to get back in the school system for 10 years what you all are doing is blackballing because that's what happened to me Dr Fagan had to get rid of a rehiring committee that nobody somehow knew about every superintendent and board member that I talked to could not help me I'm a part of the divine nine but I'm not talking about the Divine n but there were people that were a part of the Divine n school board members ousted Dr Kimberly Morgan she got rid of the rehiring committee and everybody got upset because they're friends of friends of friends you all need to stop this this is ridiculous I am embarrassed as a special education teacher thank you Ian Ripple 433 North White Station Memphis Tennessee 3811 I represent the students of Shelby County in the Educators within the system I stand here as a father of a student at White Station Elementary and a husband of a wife and of my wife was displaced because of the restructuring within this District our family took Financial impact because of this but yet I still stand here and support the work of this superintendent she has spent countless hours listening to the students she has spent hours listening to the Educators you say that the educ children matter but your votes and your voices are not saying that we are here for the children that's right we are witnessing a leader who's made C has the courage to make tough decisions for our students terminating the superintendent would now only halt the momentum that we have spent countless dollars in time finding the right person if you read her resume she is fit for the job Jr Robinson Christian Smith Steve Wakefield Marilyn livay and Michael Pleasants good evening I'm Jr Robinson the co-founder of just my Memphis normally I'm promoting the positive things that are going on in the community there's not much positive to Pro promote tonight but we should be celebrating Mr Robinson Mr Robinson yes can you give your address we'll give your 1074 Faxon Avenue Memphis Tennessee 38105 and as I was saying we should be celebrating we've got commissioner Britney thoron here last night the County Commission voted to build a new school in Frasier $33 million to build a new school we should be celebrating instead we're here doing this okay so what message are we sending to our stud students what message are we sending to the communities what message are we sending to the state an invitation to come and take over our schools I urge this board to reconsider this hasty decision instead of terminating Dr Fagan's let us provide her with the time and the resources she needs to succeed as board members Your Role is to support her support not undermine the leadership of our district in closing I want to emphasize the importance of stability and support in our education system thank you support Christina Smith 6998 emberly Village Drive I'm coming to you as a a educator of mscs um Miss mckisic is my district leader uh good evening I'm before you today briefly not only as an educator but as a community member and parent it is truly embarrassing that once again due to disgruntled board members the state of our education system is once again Disturbed what examples are we setting as the adults there is chaos in our leadership and it's trickling down to our schools Dr Fang Dr reins has brought various changes though she's shaking the table she's also shaking up our city her standards are high and I'm also one of the teachers on apartment however I'm happy that she is making a way for us to get our license reimbursing us for expensive tests that seem out of our salary and there's also a petition to keep her Mr Williams I email that to you thank you my name is let us be respectful Mr Wakefield is your Mr Wakefield it is your time to speak I was trying to wait thank you my name is Steve Wakefield 4462 Stone Gate Drive Memphis Tennessee I've been a volunteer in education for over 47 years and this is the most idiotic thing I've ever seen in my life I volunteered in schools from California to DC and I've never seen anything like this what's the metrics that you use to determine that she needs to be fired where's the guideline what was the metrics you use to hire her we didn't see that e because you use a stupid that's right search committee who had no clue about [Music] Memphis so you want to fire without looking for resources we wasting more resources to do this idiotic thing instead of putting it into the school system the average age of a school black school in the city of Memphis is older than I am and I'm 67 years old get it [Applause] [Music] together my name is Marilyn liy I live at 36 601 West dearwood Avenue 38111 I'm in District 9 I live within walking distance of Sherwood Elementary and Sherwood Middle School these are failing schools the letter grade doesn't reflect the [Music] 6.6% success rate of this District 9 school at the middle school or the 11 point 3% success rate of this District 9 school I don't want to live in a neighborhood with a failing school I was raised better than that I am a former parent of a downtown Elementary child where it was great until it wasn't and that's all I'm going to say about that Dr Fagan has been the first bright light that I've seen in this District since we left approximately 8 years ago just wanted to mention to those of you who for whatever reason think that dimming Dr Fagan's light will make yours brighter it won't standing outside there's still people standings locked open [Music] the it's raining it's raining they standing in the rain Mr Pleasants hi U Mike Pleasant 767 hawthor street I'm a teacher over at Manasses high school and uh I'm chair of the uea's political action committee where I've had the pleasure of meeting most of y'all I I uh came back to teaching shortly after the pandemic uh ended and uh the kids were pretty tense they didn't come to class A lot they had bad behaviors and I knew there had to be some changes there were changes they weren't good there was uh you know new defaults in power school where the uh attendance default into to present instead of absent and you just don't get in trouble if you don't do anything about it you uh had uh uh new like directives small directives about uh you know you needed to make sure and Mark kids present if you thought they were in the building even if you had laid eyes on them and God forbid a kid who doesn't show up and doesn't do their work gets zero that is a serious problem I have seen changes in that since Dr became the superintendent and that given me hope that has made me feel like my career means something that I'm doing something meaningful in my job and I cannot understand why we would not want that to continue I see Improvement I want that to keep going I do apologize I can't read the first name but the last name is schaer I'm sorry Renee Smith Henry hold on hold on one second let me call the rest of them okay and I apologize for your first name Renee Smith Henry Sanders trinetta Lowry Katherine [Music] Wattson hi my name is Sam Schaefer and I live at 833 Mor street I'm a second-year teacher and a proud Union member with UEA here in Memphis Tennessee I came here from grading papers and exams of my 160 students at East High School to urge you not to terminate Dr fagin's contract a lot of people my age hesitate to enter this profession because of the instability of its future in the last few months I've seen Dr fagin make a concerted effort to get teachers into classrooms with proper pay and benefits so our district can do what it's supposed to be doing teach children the last time I was here in this building I heard members of this board dress down Dr fagin for supposedly rust rushing a process not communicating but what has happened here we got less than 24 hours notice of this you have not consulted with any teachers parents anything and we're already here and talk about the state coming in and taking over Mark White today is talking about bringing in people to take over this school board because you are basically messing with the process of democracy here if we're going to protect democracy in our city and local control I urge you not to terminate Dr fens good evening my name is Renee Smith I live at 3155 signal Memphis Tennessee 38127 you guys are the most entitled people I've ever seen so territorial but what I came to say is Dr fagans you know I'm going ride with you to the wheels fall off you going to do some things that we are don't agree with but we trust you with our children we want you here I don't know where they got this from but we with you uh good afternoon my name is Henry Sanders my address uh 1615 Herman 38108 uh I don't want to address the school board because my mama said if you ain't got nothing good to say don't say nothing good at all but Dr faken I just want to thank you for everything you done for our city in the short time that you've been here our kids appreciate you the parents appreciate you the community appreciate you and I want you to know that we going to stand and we going to fight with you I put on my black Earth Force One cuz we standing on business today about you and I want you to know thank you for standing on business about our kids thank you tranisha lari 1637 Britain I taught in the district for six years and when I left the district I didn't leave because of the kids I left because of power hungry people like you who forgot that sometimes you just need a little Grace give her grace keep her because she is doing she's doing a good job if the former super superintendent was to touch me on the shoulder I wouldn't know who they were this is the same lady that I saw walk through the school building that had mold in it this is the same lady I saw came to my class and asked me do you need anything that one human interaction almost kept me but then I realized I had to go so thank you [Applause] my name is Katherine Watson my address is 1637 Britain as a lifelong memphian I have seen the district for many lenses I've attended as a student and as an educator for 10 plus years I can tell you with 100% certainty that this is not a decision about her effectiv Effectiveness but more so about her not being a part of the click and willingness to allow people to sit in six-figure jobs doing nothing simply because they have a friend here at the board this decision is not to benefit the kids but a decision to continue the sick corruption that has invaded and choked our system like a cancer our district has a habit of fighting positive change Dr Fagan is the cure not the issue we have unqualified uneducated people making decisions that will negatively affect our children this is not high school this this isn't about who we like best this is about who is best for our [Applause] youth hello my name is John Littleton of 2715 Cherry Road I'm a retired supervisor for Shelby County Schools I have never been interested in any of these board meetings as long as I had worked here I've seen all kinds of people that comes here and claim that they was for the kids I don't see it now Dr Fagan I appreciate you I love you I appreciate you coming to our city to try to straighten out this mess now people understand look at everybody around look can't you see it everybody's in support of her and I'm for one thing the power of the people shall Prevail and keep Dr Fagan in office [Applause] Erica Sugarman State executive committee Edmund Ford Jr and Adrian Anderson I'm sorry if I wrong last name good evening I'm Shelby County Commissioner Eric as well as County school teacher for 26 years I've to 7,500 students and I'm highly qualifi I live at 3089 cotton plant Road Memphis Tennessee 38119 I have witnessed firsthand Dr Fagan's unwavering commitment to engaging with all stakeholders from visiting schools to connecting with teachers students and community members Dr fagin has been visible and active across the district her handson leadership style builds trust and demonstrates a clear commitment to improving outcomes for all of our students and supporting our Educators frequent changes in leadership create instability for teachers students and families this District needs consistency not disruption remove Dr fagans prematurely undermines progress and sends the wrong message to Educators families and state leaders leadership turnover directly impact morale long-term planning and the ability to achieve meaningful improvements and academic outcomes and that's what we're all about outcomes Dr Fagan Shelby County Commissioner stand with you Rosemary Winters Memphis Shelby County Teachers Association and state executive committee woman District 33 as we stand in a pivotal moment for our community we must demand transparency thoughtful deliberation and a clear plan that prioritize our children above politics my question is why are we terminating Dr Fagan I want explanations and why our community deserves that remember it will cost $478,000 if we terminate her it would take money from our students it would take money from our teachers remember project 2025 is coming January and that means that we will have federal dollars that will be taken away from public schools remember commitment to Justin Justice and equality the children of Memphis are watching as well as the community national state and local they deserve nothing less than our full and active leadership thank [Applause] you I only got one minute I only got one minute we going to do it like this good evening ladies and gentlemen my name is Edmund Ford Jr Shelby County Board of Commissioners 160 North Maine former Memphis Shelby County Schools teacher as one gentleman stated we should have been talking about and it's not even 24 hours old that brand new school that's going to be in Frasier that Memphis Shelby County Schools is about to get be a great Hallmark movie but now that movie has turned to how the grinches have stolen Christmas unfortunately you know Dr fagans I said this months ago when we were starting to know each other you had a transition team and I am on public record stating that the people that were on your transition team that we were supposed to trust as a Undertaker those members were not transition team members those were Paul bearers Jes and I said that months ago and look at where we're at now and y'all know I don't really like superintendent so if I like this one she must be doing the job cuz I've been very vocal on former ones as well as this board so just know I said it then I said it now and thank you for your time Adrien Anderson Anderson Reverend Stokes Reverend Stokes Janette good Janet good can security to see if these people are in the Overflow we do want to hear from them please Reverend Stokes Janet good Deanna Ross Tabitha Dow Tom folks cavina hunt okay are you last name Anderson or Stokes Stokes Gregory stok 72 West uh Brooks Road I'm going be short to the point uh I've kind of been in these kind of settings before uh my friend uh Keith Williams we had a mutual friend Sarah Lewis who served as a a commission amen and I was on her Campaign Committee and uh s won reelection by 140 votes and I had that many folks in my phone I had calls so I got it in but uh we had a campaign theme that said unbossed and unbought and that was Sarah Lewis unboss and she stood for the people she represented she served faithful and I just would to God because this process has been so out of order I wish we have some Sarah Lewis up there on that board tonight that will be unboss and that will be unbought and I think sah was looking over the bound some Glory was shaking her head tonight but I've been in these meetings we went on and on and on at the end of the meeting y'all still did what y' had planned to do but I just want on this coming most of you thank you Reverend Stokes Adrien Anderson 2785 Mountain Taris as a parent I am holding those who serve our city accountable fact fagans has gone to Great Lengths to meet with every corner of this city to share her vision and hear our opinions out in the open with plenty of notice facts this board has met in secret to vote your feelings and not facts then waited until the last minute to do less than the minimum to notify the public now we have one minute to defend our children against actions that can set them back 50 years how long must we wait on this board to learn to protect our children how long should we wait while our children need help now I'll tell you how long not long will not wait oddly by while they waste away in a system failing without leadership and accountability last fact Tennessee code section 49.2 213 grants us the right to remove school board members and I guarantee that will not take long thank [Applause] you to the people get out of here all tabi the D tabi the D Tom folks calina hunt Dr Shantel hes Taylor chair is there anyone in the overpow room calling out these names they may not be able to hear there quite a bit of noise out there all right thank you are you here to speak ma'am norvale Martin Grant Wales we love you our students love you too good evening super intendent we love you my name is Tabitha dowel I'm at 4909 Avy I am a former student of of Memphis and Shela County Schools I currently work for Shela County Schools as a family engagement specialist for prek in the Head Start Department Early Education Department there is someone in the background keeping all this drama up for the superintendent she's constantly in the media the problems that we are having have existed for decades the superintendent has BL blindly inherited a mess she's hyper focus and a Workhorse we can't keep allowing you all to beat her down every five days you beat her up you keep her in the media remove your knees from her throat and let her do her job that's right citizens citizens have a right to know who are the game players causing all of this confusion the players who cause this ghetto hanging need to be removed superintendent we love you thank you Dina Ross 5144 Melissa Woods Drive I'm here representing myself as an educator in the district I have been an educator for 32 years I've served 20 of those years in this district and I've served under eight superintendents including Dr fagin in my tenure there has been no one that has cared more about our students teachers and families than Dr fagans superintendent fagin is the most accessible student focused superintendent I have worked for I have reached out to her on several occasions out of concern for my teachers and students and she has created a safe space for questioning and airing concerns every time I reach out she responds with curiosity support and resources when District administrators come into our buildings now they are kind and respectful instead of condescending and disrespectful as they have been in the past this district has always been a mess many superintendents have come in and tried to clean it up though the ride has been bumpy Dr fagin is succeeding in cleaning it up and I want I want to appeal to the reasonable members of this board please don't do this [Applause] good evening Grant Wells 2243 Curry Avenue High Park the stakeholders for public education in Memphis are the students the teachers and also the parents our community however our our community is not being considered as the board you are elected to represent us so why are you making decisions for us but not on our behalf I urge you to consider how we feel because ultimately we will be affected by this not you I ask what has she done to deserve this is it the email she send to teachers routinely thanking urging and motivating us to lead into our children with education is it her community involvement her barers shop talks the relationship with the Community Partnerships or is it her direct accessibility to the people is it because she wants and expects what's the best of us and from us here in Memphis encouraging us to be our best last thing I say 80% of our graduation rate come children thank you thank [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Mr folks Mr folks Mr folks uh Tom folks 2121 Jefferson Avenue 38107 Memphis uh Tennessee there have been a lot of harsh and emotional words spoke spoken to this board tonight I stand here in support of Dr Fegan however it's human nature to hear harsh words especially if you ascribe to the position to dig in rather than to reconsider this board still has the opportunity to reconsider and for our children that desperately need continuity this is an opportunity for you to do the right thing regardless of how we got here thank you Dr fegans and thank you to the board careers ain't dead yet you can change it Dr shant excuse me Dr Shantel H Taylor 9333 Chimney Rock Boulevard Cordova Tennessee 38016 greetings as an employee of this school district for over 26 years this evening I come before you in support of continuing the contract of Dr Fagan Dr Fagan has brought an optimism and in hope to teachers that I have not witnessed in the past we feel that we have a superintendent who has the interest of the students and teachers in mind at the start of this school year she brought teachers an increase in pay and an ever so needed we care day only a few weeks ago she advocated ated and spoke on behalf of collaborative conferencing these accomplishment for the teachers are made a reality in less than eight months during her onboarding Dr Fagan energetically conducted multiple Town Hall meetings where she went straight to the parents to ask their concerns members of the board I strongly urge you to vote no in terminating her contract thank you [Applause] good evening I'm I'm Owen W James um 45532 Ross Road and uh I'm a met instructor at Overton High School um Dr fagins has been on the job now a little over six months the board took two years to search and interview various applicants for superintendent you all selected Dr fagans now little over 6 months on the job it's you know she is deemed to not be the best fit for the job the issue ladies and gentlemen is not what that says about Dr fagans but what what does that say about the board the board had all the time in the world to make its selection Dr Tony Williams was a great interim superintendent there was no rush to get rid of her as an interim of course we had had Dr joris Ray as superintendent he was a homeboy no no disrespect but he knew but he grew up here he went to school here he was teacher principal and then superintend he knew the C very well thank sir thank you sir thank you Mr James and how it make siren good evening my name is Rachel Matthew C 3764 way NOA Avenue 38111 as an educator of nearly 20 years and more importantly a mom of a Memphis Shelby County first grader I am here to express my concern about this conversation change in schools and school systems is hard it is long wrong and to achieve change you make people angry and uncomfortable if you fire Dr Fagan's now with to be clear zero data about her Effectiveness raising student results you will send a message to anyone who comes after her that you may say you want change but you are unwilling to abide the discomfort that comes along with managing change please reconsider your [Applause] position good evening my name is kelvina hunt today my address is 917s Cooper Street today and as always I rise on behalf of the one in five or 20,000 mscs students with dyslexia and the tens of thousands more with characteristics of Dyslexia I am concerned that funds are being squandered on expenses that do nothing to advance the academic achievement of our children I am concerned that we spent an awful lot of money in order to get do to fegans here since Dr Ray Departed the school system has done nothing to address and raise awareness about dyslexia and the appropriate remediation of students with characteristics of Dyslexia the board has done nothing I have been coming before you since 2022 January you've done nothing Dr fan has done something under her watch we raised awareness about dyslexia during dyslexia awareness month thank you enough let me be very clear what thank you Miss hunt I say to you thank you get your mind on the job start to give attention to our children let's disrupt the Miss hunt thank thank you thank [Applause] you we have one item to address under request for Action this evening people discussion of terminating the contract agreement between superintendent Marie n fagin and Memphis Chevy County school board board members staff parents and community members the purpose of this spe of the special call meeting is to discuss the potential termination of superintendent Marie Dr excuse me superintendent Dr Marie n fagas contract with the Shelby County Board of Education if the board decides to terminate Dr fegan's contract an emergency special call meeting will be held five minutes after the joyment of this meeting to appoint an interim superintendent this step five minutes you this step is necessary to ensure continuality in the operations of the school district thank you for joining this special call meeting today I understand the gravity of what I am about to recommend and in doing so I will highlight the reasons for the recommendations today I ask my ke my colleagues on the board to support the removal of Dr fagans as superintendent of Memphis Chevy County Schools after eight months Dr fegans has not demonstrated the transformational leadership critical to the success of the largest school district in Tennessee colleagues we need a leader who sets a vision for the district collaborates effectively with this board communicates transparently and acts with Integrity we have seen a p a clear pattern of behavior that undermines these qualities and raises concerns about professional conduct accountability and alignment with the best interest of the district Grant mismanagement some clear examples include not being honest with us about the United States department of educational award the awarded the district $34,000 for homeless students and families the state has now informed us that due to miss deadlines and in complete paperwork under Dr Fig's Administration the funds must be returned contrary to the information we have received from State officials she continues to try to convince the board the grant can be saved unapproved natural actions re recently Dr Fegan requested and received recently our the superintendent requested and received a $45,000 dispersement from school seat neither this request nor the Grant's approval was brought to the board for review which is a clear breach of policy she has deflected the responsibility onto others for this action when it is clear I Dr fegans made the Dr fagans made the request Communications failure regarding her strategic plan we continue to wait for a comprehensive strategic plan for the district and a full explanation of the district restructuring superintendent's failure to provide this plan has caused confusion among parents staff and the board [Music] uhuh uhuh uh-uh uh-uh we're not doing that no we're not doing [Music] that we're not doing quiet as a result we have serious concerns about the direction the Memphis Shelby County schools are heading the final example before I ask for the V to terminate Dr Fagan's contract is her alleging the employees abused overtime to the tune of 1 million doll we asked for evidence to support these allegations and she has failed to provide this information our own Research indicates the allegations are baseless let me be clear this is not an easy decision no one that I am asking you to take lightly what I am recommending tonight is not going to be popular with some but we were not elected to make popular decisions we were that we were elected to make decisions in the best interest of students and families we serve at this pivotal moment we need a trans transformational leader who will collaborate effectively with the board and respect governance protocols keeping students at the center of every decision it has been alluded that the board has violated the Sunshine Law in discussing the termination of Dr Fagan's contract this has been there has been no deliberation before this meeting as the board chair I've listened to the board's question and the lack of responses from Dr fagin and knew it was time for me to bring this resolution before the board for consideration I have contacted elected offical offals at every level of government and longtime partners of the district and they are in support of the action I'm recommending at this time I am recommending today that the board terminate Dr Fagan's contract based on professional misconduct I invite my colleagues to move my recommendation and second it to put this item on the floor for discussion and a vote thank you for your thoughtful consideration for my recommendation as we work work together to ensure students in Memphis Shelby County Schools receive a quality education in the best possible learning environment I will entertain the board members board members first the resolution reads whereas the shevy County Board of Education board appointed Dr Marie n fagins as superintendent excuse me for the Memphis sheevy County Schools district effective April 1st 2024 whereas the board entered into a contract for employment with Dr fagins on or about March the 26 20124 whereas the board has become aware of professional misconduct by Dr fagas that violated the terms of the contract such professional misconduct includes but is not limited to the following Dr fagin misled the board and the public when she stated doing a board work session that the district had paid employees $1 million in overtime wages for time not work Dr fagin never presented any evidence suggesting that her statement was true and she did not correct or clarify her statement to the the public Dr fagas accepted a donation of more than 45,000 without board approval at a board work session Dr fagas misrepresented her knowledge of an involvement in depositing unapproved donation check and violation of board policy Dr fagus was dishonest with the board and the public when she stated that certain federal funds Federal grant funds were still available to the district despite Dr fagans Failing to obligate the funds prior to the required deadline whereas the board has also become aware of certain patterns of behavior by Dr fagas that are not conducive to the effective operation of the district in the best interest of students including but not limited to Dr Fagan's refusal to communicate and or Co cooperate with valued District partners and her failure to promptly report significant matters pertinent to the board's responsibility to oversee the operation of the district whereas the board believes that Dr fagas has engaged in conduct detrimental to the district and the families it served whereas the board believes that Dr fagas conduct including but not limited to her dishonesty and lack of cander with the board constitutes professional misconduct and a breach of her contract whereas the board desires to terminate Dr fagus appointment and contract pursuant to sections 14. c and 14. e of the contract be it therefore resolved that the contract shall be terminated effectively immediately be it further resolved that Dr Fager's appointment as the superintendent of the district and her employment with the board shall be terminated effective immediately December 17 2024 Joy d Coleman board chair [Applause] can I get a motion in a second motion second what is wrong with you people have a discussion it's been moved in second now the floor is open for board members we're gonna start with board member mckissic then board member hu Garcia you have to just talk loud please thank you chair I'm going to speak to the public because uh I'm if I may ask for a moment please because though I'm speaking to my colleagues I want to face the public because I want you to be very clear on what I'm saying just first off I do not agree with this resolution at [Applause] all I want to be very measured to make sure I'm saying saying exactly what I want to say transparency that's a word that is used so much among members of the board here members of the community transparency and I have to be transparent when saying that I only was notified three minutes before this was placed into the public yesterday and I only received this resolution just before this board meeting started and I'm not sure if it's even been placed on board talks I hope it has for the public and so and so for transparency reasons um there are so many reasons why this vote cannot stand tonight I'd like to further expound that there is precedent I was board chair when the district went through a very tumultuous period and we had to seever ties with the then superintendent and the process was extraordinarily deliberate this has got to be about real information that is investigated evaluated by an independent third party bare minimum bare minimum but as I look at what has been put forth regarding the reasoning to terminate Employment contract with the superintendent I do not believe this meets and warrants measures up to reason for termination what I do know is that this is a new body this board is a new body anytime you have at least one new board member it's a new body I've had the honor of serving on this board for six years since 2018 have attended countless trainings both at the state level at the national level and to my new board member colleagues who've been serving since September hallu who have not had their state mandated training yet which happens in [Music] January we need to make sure that we give ourselves times just to even Jael as a board this new superintendent we say eight months the school year just started in August that other gravy period that was done on purpose I know that you weren't here most of you were not here but she was brought on early so that she could transition as a school year wound down and to have the summer so it's disingenuous just to focus on the eight months for also it's just eight months right so I'd like to you know is there another time for me to come back around Dr Schultz all right I'd like a warning the next time when I when I do have um a chance when I have time of thank you so much kindly commissioner hu Garcia thank you uh my instinct and I'm I'm deciding whether I want to say this out loud but I'm going to is I feel embarrassed Hallelujah uh it is my belief that the allegations outlined in this resolution do not rise to just cause and I will not support the termination of Dr [Applause] [Music] fagans to go further I have I've managed 100 150 people in my career a a strong management relationship is giving constant feedback checking in having H having a culture of continuous Improvement at best this should be a professional development conversation and to go straight to a conversation around termination like my colleague mckiss I found out when you all found out that we have a public meeting I was not [Music] p and the failure of leadership not even un AC all of y'all the failure of leadership tonight is among board members but this does not have my support giving us TR and I will not support the termination of the contract we love you commissioner Porter hey board chair um I had to say as way I I struggle with this decision and so I'm say I do not support this resolution to to to terminate the superintendent contract but I also want to say on record there superintendent you have a great staff you have a great cabinet you have great workers you have great teach teachers I also say that let them support you let them run free let them make the decisions that needs to be best for our schools and best for our childrens yes you are the overseer and they trust in your gu and light but let them make decisions as well um I've talked to my principles I talked to my teachers and yes there's some things that um that needs to be corrected what I think they are easy easy correction easy fix and so um with just just talking to the district for people again talk to the district for principles just keeping this about students and children I think that we can get things right yes we are new to elected board members I did I wasn't on the selection committee but I'm also a fair person because as I learned and I know you're learning as well so um I'mma not supporting this resolution but I also want to hold you accountable and we can get this right and move the district forward I [Music] like commissioner mckiss commissioner mckisic thank you thank you so just to continue I just want to address one aspect that was mentioned in the resolution regarding the comprehensive strategic plan that should be made in tandem with the board I believe we were scheduled to have our board retreat in January it's been pushed back for a number of reasons and so um we're still jelling just to my colleagues it's okay that we are still getting comfortable with our new super attendant there's a lot of newness in our district and that's a good thing it's good to have new voices dissension but I say to my chair and to my vice chair you often said during a very tough superintendent search we want to get this right we want to make sure that we get this right during this period this is training this is something maybe we can partner say this is who we would recommend for the superintendent to work with to be that goet or to help her grow in this position these are not things that are instrument mountable they are not and I know that I meet weekly with the superintendent I have a standing meeting every Wednesday at 2:30 PM with her whether it's in person or over the phone and anytime I need to speak with her for clarification I speak with her I am not rubber stamping everything I go to her with concerns we can get pastes we have to li listen to the community not everybody is wrong and we know there's been some Growing Pains there's been some dissension that's going to happen as we build this very odd family that we have here thank you Dr Schulz so I implore my colleagues please reconsider this we do not have to go down this route of looking like a kangaroo court we can work together we are all on the same team we want to see students do better she is not the enemy I promise promise you she is not let's work together for the betterment of children we should be celebrating Frasier High School I was so excited we as as our commissioner said we should be having a nice Hallmark movie right now instead of a Grinch movie now I know what it feels like when you're at that mic and you get cut off so um but thank you I want to say thank you to each and every one of my colleagues I know your heart's in the right place I do know this that you care about children each and every one of you and we are in a growing pains period with a new superintendent with a new board give us some time thank you commissioner Williams is there a way to have a motion made because I think that we can defer some of this and get a deeper understanding of what we are attempting to do we must listen to the public we must listen to the parents the students and the teachers and the superintendent and I do not believe we have the coherency of this board to really muster all of this energy that we have going on in here tonight because it is unclear it is unclear as to what was actually done and what was not done so is there a way and I'm asking the parliamentarian for us to defy or to put this in a ob bance until such time as we get the information that we need let me give you a couple possibilities one is to postpone indefinitely MH if a majority of you vote to postpone indefinitely uh what is before the board simply disappears and we adjourn but do we have the opportunity to revisit to to get to make it right though absolutely so then I will so move that we will do that exactly as what you have what you have said that that would be to the motion is to postpone effort until such time as we have come to a reasonable conclusion second but I well it's got to be postponed the silence is deafening and I I think I need to hear from colleagues who have a different opinion here but I support that motion commissioner Porter Madam CH a decision like this how much would it actually cost us to to make a decision like this I refer that to general counsel uh thank you board reporter uh the the the under the terms of the superintendent's contract the maximum potential exposure here uh for termination without cause uh would be uh 18 months of her salary at her current pay rate of 325,000 that' be $487,500 and then depending on if there's any litigation uh potentially attorney fees but that'd be the maximum uh exposure under the terms of contract 18 18 months uh of of her pay at her current rate of 300 yes that's correct there there seems to be confusion about there uh about postpone postpone comes in two flavors to postpone indefinitely just sends it away to postpone to a Time certain which is the one you're more used to brings it back at a specific time what's before you right now is to postpone indefinitely which simply removes it from before the body chair I move to call the vote to postpone indefinitely [Applause] commissioner Murphy I object okay no yeah now it has to be done as a motion the motion is to uh close debate and vote immediately on the pending question that will require a two-thirds vote of those present and voting it is not debatable so your V voting right now on whether to close debate and vote immediately on the motion to postpone indefinitely no no this this vote is not on postpone indefinitely this vote is on closing debate but I still have lights on why we debating on this we need to make a decision this District vote is simply to close debate on the motion to postpone indefinitely then you will vote on the motion to postpone indefinitely Or you will have more debate on it your choice if you vote I it means you're voting to close debate and vote on the motion to postpone indefinitely right now if you vote no then you want to hear more from your colleagues you want to hear more debate got roll call vote please commissioner mckisic pass commissioner Garcia no commissioner Porter no commissioner Murphy no commissioner love no commissioner mckenny no commissioner o no commissioner William I commissioner mckisic no boy CH Coleman no you have eight Nays and one in the affirmative so that motion passes so we no no the motion is lost the motion is lost now we're back to the motion to postpone indefinitely if anyone else would like to speak this is your moment on the wisdom of postponing indefinitely commissioner Murphy Madam chair Madam superintendent I um I I'm I'm going to say I don't want to postpone because we have to deal with this in the end and uh I understand the public I understand my people but I also understand my district and my district is having a lot of difficulties and I've lost 10 I've lost teachers I've lost teachers and I've also lost principles so I hear your concern I do but I have a special needs child that was injured at a school without advisors I'm not this ain't personal baby this this this ain't personal okay so so let me finish what I was saying we have no sped advisors to assist our children with special needs they're all in classrooms they're all in classrooms and therefore therefore therefore therefore if our children with special needs does not have an advisor and it is federal that we could be sued for that no we cannot because it has not been fixed yet so I at the end of the day in the at the end of the day I have to make a decision and the decision may not be what you may want uh excuse me excuse me we cannot sir I'm not talking about my special needs baby I'm talking about a student okay okay I'm let you get it please go ahead go ahead goad do do go ahead go ahead can you all please that's why please let's be considerate one of each other we talking about this this is for our children let's demonstrate how we as adults should act board member Murphy I'm going to ask that you not debate with the audience audience I ask that you be respectful that's all I can do we got to do this together all things should be done decently and in order and we are not in order we are not in order at this time if you he us out please that's all I ask show respect when you were at that mic talking nobody up here talk so please let's be respectful one of of each other that's all I ask I'm going onct show I'm going to go thank you thank you sir sir Miss Murphy you are back Miss Murphy you back to speaking thank you madam chair at at the end of the day we have to make decisions that's not going to be um that's not going to be in your favor all the time I know that I've made decisions that I wasn't proud of and and these are decisions that we have to make when when policies are violated do it again you we have to be honest with ourselves we have to be honest with the people people that we serve I'm I'm being honest it's possible I ask please please you please please listen thank you Miss Carpenter thank you continue Miss Murphy thank you madam chair as I was saying this this is not a personal attack because I was in favor of doct fagin when she first came many of you know that but as a board member I'm sitting on the other side now I was on your side before sitting on that side from the outside looking in SEC hold on security [Music] security you you let can y'all please I'm asking that you listen to what has to be said we are asking to be respectful that's all I'm asking and you talking Miss R you talking over is not being respectful resp y'all me and then you announcing at the last minute that a't respect for the people we put Y in them seat right done nothing and you've had your more people with you you have had against you you've had your time Miss R you've had your opportunity to speak so now let's be [Applause] respectful know is coming [Music] woman please please [Music] this is the voice I heard I just want to give I just want to raise the fact that we can't show respect because this is what happen with people on onard they act out this is this is the result y wrong let me go let me vience is the the voice of the unheard they don't know respect woman you took the you you liar girl look excuse me excuse [Music] me chair excuse [Music] me I'm motion members of the audience may I have your attention members of the audience may I have your attention please ma'am I'm asking a question of the chair we hear you we hear you we want everyone to stay in this room tonight we do not need to have security intervention we don't want that chair I would love to hear since we have voted for more discussion from our silent Partners in the room I have very clearly stated where I stand and why I stand where I stand we need to hear more need hear I love for us to hear more but we cannot go back and forth arguing well no I'm not talking about that I'm talking about my board colleagues who are defitely want them to have respect so when you they talk to us they can be heard well they just gave me respect and they heard so they're willing to do that they're willing to do that thank you board member how wa yeah cuz they keep interrupting me okay board member Murphy as I was saying we we have we have a job to do just like you do and we have to follow rules regulations and policies policies was broken and contract was broken and we have to do our jobs I work this this neighborhood just like everybody else I have a special needs child that I deal with on a regular basis and her and and and that same child does not get the advisors that they need so with this being said we have to do a job allow us to do our job and she she violated policies and she violated the contract and that's it and we have to follow the rules and regul of our policy we have to do our jobs we need to do our [Music] jobs commissioner mckenny board member Coleman chair Coleman i' just like to be clear that the motion we're on right now is to whether we are going to continue debate on motion to um postpone is that correct okay okay postponing definitely okay to my to my fellow board member board members I think it is um important at this time that we go ahead and let the public know and also our other board members know where each of us stand as it pertains to this particular resolution that is on the table the original resolution that was on the table by chair Coleman so I would I would like for us to continue the discussion on the original motion commissioner mckiss so I'm all for hearing from my colleagues I know this is my third time of speaking is it not okay oh so where do we stand Dr Schulz then on because I mean if if we close the discussion on this and then if we have the vote on the motion that Mr Williams put forth where does that stand on the vote on that and then going back because I want to have discussion on on everything this is probably the best thing that could have happened in a really long time to get air out all the Grievances because there's been a lot of stuff bubbling underneath the surface and so I want to hear from my colleagues I really do I just do not believe that this is insurmountable where we go through a process that took us two years that was transparent where we met with community members we said we wanted to get it right no one is perfect and policies policies are adjusted all the time in this District that's right we suspend policies on the fly in meetings so we can't hide behind that we need to build a better relationship with a superintendent for those who are not interacting with her who are not having weekly meetings with her and to start with uh you know start with the intention of everyone it's like I I just that's what I live my life by I start with the intention of people have good in them and they want to do good that's where I start with am I am is my time up Dr Schultz it is not is not so please allow me to continue speaking so I'm just saying to my colleagues it doesn't have to end like this it's a very painful process we just went through it for those of us who are on the board chair Vice chair you all were the ones who were the co-leaders of this search honor that honor that honor all of that work this the what was brought forth here this is not someone who's done something wrong by children this is someone who's like had a clerical error $45,000 out of a $2 billion budget that's an oversight that's not a reason to fire someone $300,000 $300,000 for the Federal grant we can look into that that's our job as board members we can hold accountability we can have committee meetings on that we can get to the bottom of that that's not some reason to terminate someone a few months into a position it's not fair it is simply not fair the to the community I have FedEd so many phone calls I didn't go to bed till 2:00 a.m. I was up at 6:00 a.m. with more text messages more phone calls from people from every Walk of Life it should not be like this if everyone were in support and I was there as chair when the community was crying out for us to move on from the superintendent that was in that seat because of things that were put forth and I I appreciated him I thought he did a great job 30 seconds but we have to listen to the community it's not just about us and our rules and policies all of it you cannot operate in a vacuum you have to consider all of it all of it I'm asking my colleagues please reconsider we do not have to have this level of acrimony among our community hating all of us and I know I'm not here trying to be liked I'm here for children that's it and I know that all of you all are here for children let's not get distracted this is a distraction thank you you commissioner mckeny again I want to be clear that we're we're doing this in the way that we're supposed to do to make the record so do we need to vote on something now so we can get to the conversation that my board fellow board member mckisic would like to have by the way this is an exciting time for a parliamentarian we don't get this excited very often uh the motion before you is to postpone indefinitely if you want to actually take a vote on the original main motion which was the adoption of this resolution then you need to vote no on postpone indefinitely and that will bring that before the body that'll bring the original resolution back before the body and you can actually vote on that okay so you vote no if you want to get to the original resolution if you vote Yes it goes away as though it were never made so Dr Schulz chair if I may if if you could provide further Clarity um on say if the vote um is in the the negative of of making it go away can that be brought back again after we hear discussions because I understand from my colleagues they want to discuss the actual resolution and so was that resolution or or motion that Mr Williams put forth um perhaps premature the the V the motion to postpone indefinitely does open the main motion up the main motion is the original one to adopt the resolution uh it does open the main motion up you may talk about the main motion right now or you can vote on postpone indefinitely but you only get postponed in definitely one shot okay so but you're saying that colleagues can talk about the resolution that was put forth by the chair so we can do that at this time postpone indefinitely opens the main motion to debate you may debate it right now thank you no one has signed up so commissioner mckenny I want to take this time to um one speak to the public two speak to my fellow board members no nobody wants to be here at this point in time ever I was one of the people who was across over the other side not too long ago so I understand I hear you I feel you you going to vote with us the other thing that I need to make sure you understand is that I'm here now so I have a different view corrupted I have a different view we have a different view so at the center at the core are our students in their best interests I will say that right now everybody sitting on this this dice including me nine of us at some point in time had the courage to run for our seats this brings a level of heightened responsibility we have to students teachers parents staff and the larger Community these seats also give us a bird's eye view in the workings of the district we see things the general public does not see and we are responsible for the proper working of the entire District again I hear you I absolutely hear you I also hear and see the climate of fear intimidation that has been cultivated in the staff across all levels of the district during M during this Administration ten one of the things I I am I am going to do to remain professional up here which is what is expected of all of us and what is expected from you is that I'm going to continue to say my remarks with the expectation of having the same respect that I'm going we've given to the public and also I will give to my board members this is in truly a democracy and in a democracy everybody has an opportunity to speak including those of us who are here and responsible for this work this is a huge respons responsibility and when you all put us in this position you trusted that we would take this on and take it seriously we don't take this lightly we understand the gravity of the situation and because we understand the gravity of the situation that is why we are here in this moment and this time listen please listen I go commissioner thank you chair I would love to have the opportunity just to have the respect in you here and I give you my feedback I pondered I'm an educator my kids go to school in the district um I will be the first to admit that I have sat up here and teachers have text me and I have they I have told them that I would speak for them and I have not done it time after time I've had teachers there been nights that I've cried myself to sleep because they're thinking about committing suicide these are these are things these are things me that you all please be respectful all the teachers are for her we're all here listen to us can we pause my time please cry for me what the Rocks crying out for they where are they please I texted you I texted you and said don't do it that's please please please this is why to people so as an educator as a citizen of the community as a parent with all due respect those that are in my district know how hard I work and how I've lended my own personal resources to help my principles they can all speak on my behalf and they see how hard I work and how dedicated I work and how dedicated I am to the community these are some of the issues that I've been asked I've been 20 million text messages up here from the teachers that I've been promising that I would let the public know that they they feel as though they [Music] don't you pause my time [Music] please and you got 30 seconds to say what they want you to no we're not my text message I texting you I said don't do it look I I hate to be rude and disrespectful but you yeah I I have to be but you all are being disrespectful we cannot we cannot continue to go down this road now we we going to if I I do not want to have to clear the room but this is important please please no ma'am no ma'am you cannot no ma'am no ma'am you cannot [Music] equable power in the hands is a dangerous thing y'all please I this is the second and the last time I'm going to ask people to start removing people because we and my colleagues deserve respect ring all right so some of the things that I'm been I I I will wait because again I was quiet um okay thank you you commissioner Otay please continue if I stand Here quiet I conform to what you guys are telling us not to conform to so I have to speak for them because I said I would respectfully their complaints they don't feel like they have adequate support this is coming from principles as well for the new teacher turnaround times with program renewals we're we're getting stuff that's brought to us last minute during the semester during the the the time of we're in school so we're making votes that we should have made in the at the beginning of the school year which is affecting our students aka the online learning that should have been done at the beginning of the school year not in the middle of the school year the uh the courses that we had to approve the Dual enrollement that should have been done at the beginning of the school year these are complaints I'm reading from the constituents the teachers the principles who are expecting me to be a voice for them and I'm nervous to do it but I'm going to do it because I owe that to them unclear on the plan on how to remediate the students at the soup Schools they're unsure of where all the money that were saving they don't know where it's going we have to listen to these principles y'all heard the principal the president of the principal Association guys come on let's just weigh in some of this some of us were not speaking about this this has been going on since August because we are nervous too was going and it has been going on before you are correct you are correct but I've been doing my due diligence and I've been observing and I've been speaking to the community and I've been hearing their voices and I've been going tireless nights to make sure I'm doing my due diligence as an elected official to do what I can in my power so I'm going to respectfully read this to you because these are the complaints of real people and afraid and I'm not going to release their names because they asked me not to okay um the principl are the principles are saying not in my district okay because I'm not going to single them out principales everywhere saying they don't get the resources they don't know the breakdown of where the additional monies are actually going they said that there's been habitual misrepresentation of what's been going on and we're sitting back and we're not saying a word so we are just as guilty it's not right it's not right there's inequitable resources not all the schools are getting the support they need uh there is issues with I guess they're being three leaders for social studies that's a that's an actual a subject that needs that we get tested on we're not there's not an adequate there's not adequate um resources lastly we're going to say there's dis they dismantled the third grade commitment team this has been an issue this is something that's brought to me I'm over here on the government side this is not things these are only things that I know because the community has spoken to me because I am embedded in my community and my principles and my teachers will tell you that I do the work and so I have I will be remissed to sit up here and let one more meeting go by and I stay quiet respectfully those of you in the audience know how hard I work you know how admitt I am about my community my children go to school in the district and we need to fix it no this did not start with Dr fagin but it has not been very easy I'm going to be honest working in this sector we all have to be on one Accord we have to communicate we have to know what's going on there are a lot of behind the scene things that are going on and we don't want to just blurt them out so I I appreciate the respect thank you guys I really appreciate that but those of you that know me know my heart and you know how hard I work lastly Lastly lastly I want to say lastly I want to say I'll wait I'll wait who you are I'll wait commissioner Thor I'll wait I don't even know who you are like I'm so confused right now confused why putal on the Liney [Applause] and excuse Excuse excuse me I would I would really may I may I have this opportunity what I would really like to ask and request from a fellow elected official is to imagine we came down to your place of business and did that that is highly highly highly disrespectful and I am asking one elected official to the other please please allow us to say what we need to say I appreciate that thank youin got him wein got I really don't excuse Meed Natalie security I'm not asking him to sit down please we cannot the young man SP the young man asked us to be respectful so that everyone could hear there are people in this room that's sitting down listening you can start removing people out of the room we'll we'll take the law I so he can take start removing them please [Music] r [Music] chair are you still recognizing board members nobody in the audience supports her removal Nobody Does it not show you any we we are continuously we are continuously talking about that this is for the children we have children that are in this room and we're not not acting as we should with children in the presence sir I'm going to respectfully ask you to stop screaming is this wor now if we have to we will clear the room because we have work to do thank you Miss Carpenter for helping calm the audience but we have work to do commissioner Otay you may finish your comments the last thing that I wanted to mention was there's no uniformity when it comes to assessing our students we've already LED two two rounds go by we we could have we could know where our students are right now but they have not been tested how do we expect to create remediation for our students if they have not been tested we don't know where they are this it's not fair to our teachers and guess who guess what the teacher said who's going to get fired us principles who's going to get fired them it's not fair they don't have a way to assess the students across the district to see where they are according to Tennessee State Standards these have been complaints since August and I promise that I will voice this and I know it's not what you want to hear but I respectfully had to say it because I've been promising these guys that I was going to be a voice for them because they're scared so I'm sorry this not what you want to hear but I had to do it because I've been promising them commission mckisic thank you chair thank you okay so um I hear my colleagues and that's why I said a silver lining of this is here's the thing when you're on a public board like this you don't want to have disagree M and so the things that have been bubbling underneath the service things that have not been brought forth I don't know if you've been meeting oneon-one with Dr fagin or not but the fact is you know when I have an issue I go to her and so to mitigate some things but it's hard to have you know nastiness in the public or to bring something that is uh may be perceived as confrontational so I think this could be the beginning of moving forward this could be the beginning of of everyone because I think with being new board members and that's what what the you know um having new board members new voices we need that but also of having veteran board members as well that we you know lost by those who rolled off by whatever means of how to navigate that sort of space but again I want to go back and just list two things we want to get this right and the rush to do all of this tonight one week before Christmas to upset families and students knowing coming back everything that we can that been brought forth and I haven't heard a whole lot of you know mentioned about the actual allegations that's in the resolution so that's a concern but you know I had one of my principes who came here and spoke from Belle and he said not everything's perfect he was very transparent and honest and so um my last thing is it's like we're going to throw all this in and we having heard from the superintendent she should but more importantly just like we got this just just 2 seconds ago roughly she should be able to respond to this in writing it was put forth in writing and I just don't think that this is a time for us to just pull the chain and said okay and just move on this isn't how we should be doing this this is not what our community wants thank you I I do plan on hearing from the superintendent I would never be disrespectful and make a vote without hearing from her so we are I do plan on hearing directly from the superintendent commissioner Murphy commissioner hu Garcia commissioner Williams commissioner McKenna and commissioner OT thank you madam chair I just wanted to um make a statement that one of my teachers that just text me um she was released from her job for speaking out and she is not happy she cannot feed her kids this Christmas because she was let go from her job and she has three small children so this is all of the things that we have to deal with as Commissioners and try to figure out how we're going to help these teachers that lost their jobs feed their families we got a hard job just like y'all we got to do the work just like y'all but we also got to make the hard decisions because that's what you elected us to do to do our jobs and just because we're not in favor of what some of you want us to do it's not about you you it's not about me it's about the children and their suffering in the end of this everything that we're doing right here the kids are suffering not you since we've been on this board we've been too busy putting out other fires that we have not been able to focus on the task at hand and that's our children they lose in the end they losing in the end okay and I've always been honest with everybody I've always been honest with myself and I've been honest with you and whatever I'm going to do I have to make sure it's in it's it's for the children and everything I do is for the children you're not suffering they [Music] are are you are any of y'all going to help us feed these kids that that the parents lost their jobs that that a this is where I am right now we have to make sure we do our jobs and we have to do it effectively I'm asking if we can just go ahead and do the vote and go to the next one [Music] commissioner hu Garcia thank you oh wait a minute I'm sorry I'm sorry let me do Keith first let me do commissioner William yes You' heard from everybody but the superintendent hear from her well we need to hear from her so we can go on and do what we need to do because this is getting completely out of control and we need to have some order and some Decorium about this business we don't we think we know everything we know what we know but we haven't heard from her we haven't heard her side of any of this and how can we make any kind of intelligent uh decision without hearing it all we have are the accusations we don't have her testimony on anything so I am asking for that and I'm asking for us to move this agenda even if we have to Poston to another time but I want to hear from Dr Fagen speak commissioner huie Garcia thank you uh this was mentioned by several public comments but I do want to put into the space the consequences of voting to support the termination tonight uh however you land and what your constituencies think of that vote uh you will answer to that at the voting booth we all know that is the consequences of our own decisions but we should not make any mistake or or be under any other um assumption that Nashville is watching how we are operating and they will dilute our board so we've mentioned democracy tonight but the way that we have conducted ourselves in the outright almost incoh comments related to the termination of an employment contract when you're highlighting the wo of a large District that is under resource and generational challenges is I feel like I'm in an alternate universe right now this is so disrespectful and the wrong venue to air the majority of what has been said about what we don't like about what's going on I don't I am trying to grasp it I hear you the doesn't mean these are not real complaints and things that we need to improve upon I talked to do Dr fagin three four times a week with a standing meeting I have given criticism specific feedback a personal memo about all the things that I've heard from my schools and I saw I've seen a lot of improvements we're not perfect here that's right but if if we do this tonight we are we are saying to the public we are not willing to do the hard work to manage and to make improvements and y'all we'll have to live with that we should be operating with children at the center of our decisions and that all should be leading to Higher Achievement so that they leave Memphis Shelby County schools with an education and a life of choice they could do whatever they want because they've had an education so excellent that they get to pick we're not there this is foolish than [Applause] commissioner thank you uh chair I did want to say this since uh one of my colleagues mentioned about the communication piece and I have reached out to work with Dr fagins time after time I want to make sure I am being transparent because I pondered about if I wanted to say that I sent emails and asking to collaborate can we do things together um I've asked about the Strategic plan we haven't gotten that I know we're supposed to do it together but she kept counseling the meetings to be transparent I just want to get you give you the information and as I'm sitting here today children children are the focus of this this is about the kids my heart was racing and I'm sitting here and I'm getting messages from teachers and the teacher the principal that was thinking about committing stool suicide is texting me and telling me thank you for speaking up because no one else has done this you have to we have to consider the climate and the culture and the well-being of our people and our teachers because guess what that's going to trickle down to our children that's going to trickle down to our children so I I just I wanted I'm I did my peace and I I did like I said I wanted to do and I have given an honest effort to Ure that I'm doing my part to communicate to try to collaborate to move this District forward so I understand it's not what you wanted to hear but I wanted to ensure that I was transparent with this and I spoke up and I spoke out and I was a representative for the constituents the teachers and principes in our districts not just District 5 but districts all throughout Shelby County superintend good evening good evening good evening even so first thank you for your support it's unfortunate that we're here for this matter but thank you for showing up and demonstrating um just how important not just this decision but this the stakes are High um the status of education but certainly with Memphis Shelby County Schools could not be any higher than they are right now I have said time and time again if I'm ever the barrier I would leave no one would have to dismiss me no one can hold me more accountable and to higher standards than I hold myself I have yet to see this resolution I've heard it read to me this evening but what I have heard is meritless is baseless I've been transparent about it and can refute every single thing that has been stated I want to be very clear that what I shared about overtime I provided at least three years of data to the board that has never been reported before and as several board members have shared with me much of my information my desire to be transparent has been weaponized against me I'm not a victim I came to do a job that I was called to do that I responded to do and we've been doing it well with a team that has not stopped running since day one to be here is not even about me it's about the people that are sitting out in front of me that have risen that shared just today that I don't know if I would be the leader that I am today if you did not push us I don't know that we would look at things the way that we have been if you were not here everybody on my team take me off there's more than 100 years of experience the his iCal knowledge can't be defeated no one on my team with the exception of one knew me outside of this I didn't go outside of Memphis to take care of Memphis to talk about a grant that we never received I was incredibly honest we missed the deadline I don't pursue grants but I did take the honest because everything sits with the superintendent the grant deadline was September 30th funds had to be obligated obligated means there's an executed contract or a purchase order the item was submitted to me for review for the October business meeting that means we never had a contract what I did not do is commit the district to more than $300,000 because that could have me here for termination what I did ask the team is was there any other way that we could spend the funds in alignment with houselessness or homeless they shared yes and they began to do the research what we have asked the state to do is allow us to still allocate the funds in a different way that did not require a contract the state honored that the team spent hours finding funds and expenditures that we utilize before September 30th to utilize These funds on a reimbursable basis we never received a grant the grant was for a reimbursable expense for anything connected to homelessness as it concerns a check from school seed leadership development Institute took place in July the district requested the funds that were solicited on our behalf from school SE to be given to the district donations in policy above 15,000 require the board's approval the individual who receives it stated it as a oversight I owned it as superintendent because because again everything sits with the superintendent I ask the board on record may I have the will of the board to have the conversation with the administration this particular team member offline because I wanted to respect my team the bo the board honored that I had the conversation I gave Grace we talked about A Better Way Forward and how we don't have these types of oversights again that individual is in the room and I still respect the team member we sent the funds back because it was not worth public scrutiny the funds sit with school seed still available to be utilized for leadership development week as they were originally allotted nothing took place out of order the third Claim about overtime I shared with the board about overtime and I think I started with this that the district in my review with the team demonstrated excessive payments in overtime I never accused an employee I never accused any individual what I did share is that would require an investigation and that was not my desire what I did share is that offered an opportunity to Institute and Implement better processes and protocols and practices so that we are better fisal responsible fiscally responsible with the funds that are given to us $5.5 million from July 2023 to June 30th of 2024 were paid out in overtime as of today we have we are nowhere near that that came from implementing better processes and protocols and folks like security Transportation nutrition and anyone else that still needs overtime I look at the report every month they still receive overtime overtime has not been declined or denied it is a simple way to manage the funds that the district is responsible for I don't know if there are other things in there but have met with spoken with and been incredibly honest about the dealings of the district about the operations of the district about the opportunities for improvement I meet month weekly with every board member with the exception of two who have declined the opportunity to meet consistently I send a weekly board Insight that includes updates every Friday and if we're late we send it at least by Sunday we're human we don't always make it on Fridays I do phone calls about every CR that happens in individual districts to include board members about what's happening when we're made aware of it we send now crisis texts to board members to let them know about what's happening across the district we sent a monthly newsletter I don't know what else to be that could have been done for communication I've asked for feedback feedback and feedback to sit here today and be and have it eluded that suicide is my responsibility and that I created a culture that someone wants to create suicide is the most insulting and disheartening thing I think I've ever [Music] [Applause] heard it's too serious of stat to I knew what I was getting into I still wake up every day excited about the work to be done in Memphis and with Memphis I've demonstrated that there are lines of governance that everyone is still learning I've given more to the board than my colleagues across the country if the board does not see fit for me to continue as superintendent I consider it an honor and a privilege to have done this time and this work I appreciate my team for going the distance for not complaining for being dedicated to being the thermostat being organized energized and doing great work for kids I'm not apologetic for wanting more for the 901 I'm not apologetic for wanting more for people who want more I am apologetic that you have to endure this this evening but I'm free to answer any other questions that the board may have it appears that you are committed to this decision without having this conversation I learned about the meeting as well from the media wow wow I believe that I shared with board members just last week in our 10-on ones that no surprises goes both ways and I have done my best for you not to be surprised about information I've been very clear about the matters that have been brought before the public this evening on record before today and even this evening I have absolutely nothing to hide if there were an internal review or an external one one I'm confident of what would come out of it I rest assured that I don't miss with finances and romances because those are the quickest ways to get you out of the seat I consider my Integrity to be above par and to have it insulted and on the line this evening is something that I'll allow my attorney to take the balance of the way I hear you [Applause] I commissioner McKenna Vice chair love we need to call the vote we have pending a main motion to adopt the resolution the immediately pending question that you're voting on now is to postpone indefinitely which will simply remove this from before the body and then we we'll be done your call if you want to get back to the main motion which is the adoption of the resolution vote no if you wish to end it immediately vote Yes this is this is on the motion to postpone indefinitely that's what you're voting on right now is it a simple majority or two3 state requires five votes in the affirmative to adopt us roll call vote please commissioner mckisic I'm voting I to postpone I just want to make it very clear to the public on what we're voting on this is to postpone this vote altogether so that's what I'm in support of commissioner Garcia hi commissioner Porter I commissioner Murphy [Music] [Applause] no commissioner love no commissioner mckenny no commissioner OT no commissioner Williams board chair Coleman no have five nay and four in the affir you have four in theist [Music] inac you have four in the affirmative and you have five negative is that motion is lost we're now on the main motion commissioner Vice chair love before the vote chair I'd like to ask for a hearing wherever that fits sorry general counsel for you're now on the main motion which is the adoption of the resolution terminating employment if you vote Yes you're voting for the termination if you vote no you are not voting for the termination roll call vote please commission was there no opportunity to present a response in writing through these accusations not under Roberts not under the contract yeah I mean there's no yeah there's no no rule or or anything in the contracted um I'm sorry uh uh yeah there there's no Vision in the contract and and her Employment contract that allows um uh for that uh and there's no right to a hearing other than a garity hearing which this doesn't uh involve the potential for criminal charges so um unless the one of the board members wants to uh move to allow that that there's no uh no basis for that I'd like to move that we honor a request by the superintendent for this uh I object I'm making the motion so that it just for something as serious as this you know we we've had plenty of meetings that gone three and a half hours so I I think this one was warrant it's up there with uh you know doing what it takes to get it right all night I with you if second okay oh it's been moved in second it already we already got that um let me offer you some some parliamentary options um if she'd like to do a response in writing which is I believe what she asked for it could be sent to committee and a committee could have the hearing please up and uh that's a possibility so if you if you want to move it to a uh a committee of the including the I I would include the entire board to be honest um so that that will go to you and you can evaluate it then that report would come back at one of our regular meetings or a special called meeting to hear that report and take action on it that's possible thank you for that Clarity uh for the listening public the option was to moved to the for the hearing a possibilities for it to take place in committee I think that this is just too big to rush through tonight it's too too big we need to hear more information everything just popped up without advanced notice someone just sent me a text saying hey this may have even violated um improper notice for public meeting not doing 48 hours no it's 24 hours hours well the fact remains is that what may be like what you're legal but also what morally right and decent and the community was blindsided by this blind so I would I move to have this hearing take place in the committee that's what I'm moving my motion well there's another option there's always options in parliamentary procedure option number two move it to postpone to the next regularly scheduled business meeting then it will come up under unfinished business and general orders it'll come up as a general order I I move that it goes to committee if we have to do that it goes and give you time to committee is not until January so the motion is to refer this to a committee of the board an ad hoc Committee of the entire board is that correct yes second corre okay with that of the entire board the motion is to refer it to a committee of the entire board to report when at the committee at the next the committee will report at the next business meeting is that correct is that okay it's fine by me then uh I don't know just yeah okay by no hold hold on let me get the clarifying let me get a question answered and then we'll deal with that okay commissioner mckenny we're sitting here talking about following policy and the contract and then we're now talking about shifting and making things up as we go because that's what this is is making things up as we go so I I would suggest that we do what we say we're going to do as we have become this new board and that we're going to start being transparent about following policy and so what I would like to suggest is that we we continue to have the discussion but not because there is a valid resolution there is nothing in the policy or in the contract that allows for an investigation we're setting a precedent if that's what we want to do then let's change the policy and we not setting a president yeah we are setting a president not I'm not going to go back I'm just saying that because having been in a similar situation as the chair a couple of years ago y' can't do that I'm just clarifying clarifying that that is that is my um that is my recommendation that we continue the conversation and we we do the work we motion it is moved and seconded to refer to a committee of the entire board to report at the January business meeting to report the results of the the report would be uh whatever it is they want it to be to be honest so do we vote at that time is my question it will come back up at that time okay so so what he's saying is it'll go back to committee and we'll vote on that day at that time yeah what's going to the committee is the motion with the resolution what he's saying is toana calm down this will go to the January committee meeting I will I don't have the January date right in front of I'm trying to explain it to you can't he you I'm sorry can you hear me now no okay no no right it have to be at the business meeting is where the vote happens we vote on the report important we want to be fair let's let's get that perfectly clear and understood make it clear January committee meeting we will allow super tended the time to make her statements she said she wants to do this in writing to make her statements about the accusations that's in January at the January business meeting we will take a vote so no vote tonight I'm getting ready to give you the date if y'all would just be patient just a moment the January 24th what's this okay what's the second Tuesday that's the committee meeting January they'd like to know when the committee meetings are scheduled in January seventh J January 7th is committee meetings point of order no it's the 14th that's the second commissioner mckenny hold on I got lights on commissioner mckenny commissioner hu Garcia commissioner Murphy commissioner mckiss in that order mckenny this is point of order so it is um to the par parliamentarian I believe we have a motion sitting on the floor and I'm not sure help me to understand I'm not sure that the motion to send committee is a superseding motion is it help me to understand it is okay yes down to the main motion and this is a subsidiary motion to the main motion the motion before you right now is a secondary motion that it be referred to a committee of the entire board which will meet on the committee meeting day in January we don't it's an argument about what day that is 14th is what I'm hearing now and that committee meeting um they will prepare a report you can vote on the report in the committee but that is presented back to the board at the business meeting in January at which time that will be heard and then the uh this motion will probably be back before you again the the motion on the adoption of the terminating resolution so the question before you right now is are you going to refer it to that committee no v no roll call vote please this is a vote on referring to committee and you understand what what's happening with this okay commissioner mckisic yes commissioner Garcia yes commissioner Porter yes commissioner Murphy no commissioner love no commissioner mckenny no commissioner OT no commissioner Williams yes board Tre colan yes you have five in the affirmative and you have four night I'm not doing it for the community I'm doing this for my children let's let's get this let's get this understood thank you stand five in the affirmative that this will go back to Committee in January five in the affirmative four in the negative being no further business this meeting is a Jour do we have a date you