MSCS state takeover bill up for debate Monday
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers will begin debates on Monday for a bill that would allow a state-appointed board to take over Memphis Shelby County Schools.
The bill, also known as the Tennessee Public School Accountability Act, would authorize the Department of Education to appoint a board of managers, which would remain in place for four years.
Today, there will be up to 25 minutes of debate for each side. The House session begins at 10 a.m., while the Senate floor session begins at 4 p.m.
House bill for state control of MSCS advances
The bill was written by Republican state Representative Mark White and filed for introduction back in February.
This all comes following the firing of Dr. Marie Feagins as superintendent.
And in January, the district faced a threat of a state takeover by Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
'I just think we need to right-size this. We've heard of complaints for too many years, and I think now, with the will of the majority of the communities behind us, that they want us to intervene,' said Rep. White.
'We deserve better than what we're getting': Lawmaker shares more about bill to take over MSCS
Locally, the bill has faced opposition from MSCS board members, including Michelle McKissack, who initially opposed the firing of Dr. Feagins.
'This is too serious. We have the state making its assertions of how the board is in a state of dysfunction, so they feel they have to step in. I don't want to see our board lose its local control,' said McKissack.
The House version of the bill passed the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee last week.
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