Judge denies injunction in Feagins' case against MSCS
The order was filed at 4:29 p.m. Friday; WREG received a copy Monday morning.
Feagins' suit alleges Memphis Shelby County Schools board members had met secretly before the January vote that terminated her contract and installed interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond.
The timeline: Feagins fired within months
The judge wrote, 'A temporary injunction is an extraordinary equitable remedy used to preserve the status quo pending a final resolution on the merits.'
The judge wrote about several factors Tennessee courts take into account in order to grant this type of request.
One includes if Dr. Feagins could succeed at a full hearing.
Former MSCS superintendent Feagins seeks injunction to void school board's firing
'Based on the proof presented by the Plaintiff at the injunction hearing, the Court finds that there is certainly a chance that the Plaintiff can succeed on the merits after a full evidentiary hearing, but there is not enough proof at this juncture to find that the Plaintiff is likely to prevail after a full evidentiary hearing,' the judge wrote.
Another factor was the threat of irreparable harm to Dr. Feagins if relief is denied. She testified about losing her job, losing income, and the injury to her professional reputation, saying they're all irreparable.
But the judge said those factors don't work under state law, as the loss of a job and income can be fixed with monetary damages. And when it comes to her reputation, the temporary injunction is to prevent irreparable harm, but the judge believes the harm was already done when she was publicly terminated by the board in January.
Dr. Feagins sues Memphis-Shelby County Schools
The judge acknowledged this case is of great interest to the public and said there would be further disruption to the administration of the school system if the reinstatement was granted at the beginning of the school year.
But the judge wrote, 'At a hearing on the merits, the Court may grant the Plaintiff's prayer for a permanent injunction if the Court finds that the Shelby County School Board violated the Public Meetings Act.'
'My reaction is one of general disappointment that a seemingly unaccountable board will continue to go unchecked for many more months. I look forward to seeing what the full trial reveals,' said Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright.
Feagins' attorney has not responded to WREG's request for comment about the judge's order.
But Robert Spence, the school board's attorney, told WREG, 'He is gratified and looking to move forward to end this case.
Order-on-Plaintiffs-Motion-for-Preliminary-Injunction-00253881xA9A31Download
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